Sharing the love of babywearing!
More stories from real parents who use slings.


I started BW from the beginning, upon recommendation of friends.  I always thought wrapping was intimidating, so I started with a pouch, then eventually moved onto a Moby Wrap.  Soon I was into all sorts of wraps, Mei Tais, and soft structured carriers!  As my son got older and walking more I was using them less and carrying him around in my arms more.  I noticed I started having trouble with my arms - difficulty holding my son.  Turns out I had developed tendinitis!  The doctors had no suggestions for what to do, but I went back to using my carriers, and it healed up completely.  I hope others find the same joy and therapy in carrying their child as I have!
~ Carrie D.




My youngest daughter, Lina was only a few days old when we made a short trip to Walmart. I could have just sent my mom, but I wanted an excuse to get out of the house and figured this would be an easy trip since we were only getting a couple things. We got there and I put Lina in my stretchy wrap and off we went. As we walked in, we noticed it was getting ready to storm and joked that it was just as well that I wasn't walking very fast yet, since we figured we'd just wait the storm out in the store. But just as we were finishing our actual shopping, my husband called and said they had issued a tornado warning and we might want to hurry home. Mom went ahead to buy the things we needed while my 6 yr old twins and I (and Lina in the wrap), came more slowly. By the time we got to the exit (and mom got through line) it was POURING. Mom ran for the car while the girls and I waited inside. When mom pulled up I was able to grab each of my big girls by a hand and we ran to our minivan, they jumped in the nearest door and I climbed in right behind them and sat on the middle seat to get Lina out of the wrap and into her carseat. It was pouring so hard that even the mad dash to the loading zone left the girls & I soaked, but Lina was snug and dry in the wrap, through all of it she never even woke up!
~ LaRee B.



I began babywearing when my firstborn, Kathleen, was 10 weeks old, but when she was 8 months old, I had an emergency appendectomy, and was put on lifting restrictions for about 5 weeks. I was not supposed to lift anything over 10 lbs and that included my 16 lb baby. I basically folded up my sling collection and let it collect dust for several weeks. After my surgery, though, I subsequently went through what I now recognize as a period of depression from not being able to hold my baby for several weeks. In addition to the emotional stress from the surgery, we conceived our second child, Emily, three weeks later.  The addition of our latest blessing made me doubt whether or not I was giving Kathleen enough of myself exclusively.

When I started to recover from my post-surgery depression, I remembered much of the attachment parenting wisdom I had gleaned off of the websites that taught me to use a sling. I dusted off my slings again when Kathleen was 10 months old. While she spent most her days enjoying her newfound mobility, it was comforting to hold her in the grocery store and on our daily walks to the library.  While I had enjoyed using my slings, I had previously scoffed at the idea that babies were meant to be held by their mothers, and was worried about "spoiling" her by wearing her. If Kathleen's happy, I would ask why is it bad to push her in a stroller, or leave her in her car seat in the shopping cart? I eventually realized  that through babywearing not only did I keep my baby close and secure but I reassured her of my love for her. Subsequently, she plays for longer periods without "needing" me and is a very independent child. I think this has a lot to do with the fact that while many of her peers are strapped into a shopping cart, I am able to hold her and speak with her at nearly eye-level while completing everyday tasks.  Kathleen is now two, and she still spends the majority of her day running around, but we both count on these daily cuddle sessions to renew and strengthen our mother/daughter relationship.

My husband and I now both proudly babywear our two beautiful girls because we believe it is healthiest for them as well as for us.
~ Eleri K.



Babywearing has been so important to our family.  It's allowed me to give extra cuddles and love while still taking care of the needs of my older children.  In addition, babywearing has provided huge amounts of comfort to my youngest son.  Gabriel was diagnosed with ALL acute lymphoblastic leukemia the day after his first birthday.  He'll continue to be on chemotherapy through the end of 2010 daily home chemo plus monthly infusions in the hospital...and other stuff.  He has days where he just feels awful -- he finds great comfort in me walking with him.  A rocker just doesn't do the trick for Gabe -- he takes comfort in my walking motion and there's no way I could simply carry him in my arms for so many days and hours...  He's got a few favorite wraps and will go and pick one out for me to wrap him with.  It's truly been a lifesaver.  I tend to use a BWCC for him but yesterday he decided to ask to be wrapped on the front like he sees me often do with little sis Lexi 6mths.... Well, to have a 2.5yr old on your front is a bit cumbersome but Gabe loved it of course and it was wonderful to have his little face close to me so I could kiss him and whisper to him.... 

I carry babywearing printed info with me so that when I'm at the hospital I can give out info and "spread the babywearing love".  I really feel that babywearing can drastically improve the lives of moms and babies in so many ways.  thanks so much for helping to get babywearing to the masses!
~Nicole

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