Baby Carriers are essential - not only to the modern hippy parent - but also to those who want to get anything done in those precious first weeks of a newborn's life.
As we were preparing for baby Gremlin, we reviewed a number of different carriers and decided on two for our first little one. I'll share here what we learned in hopes of helping you with your decision.
Baby Bjorn 
The Baby Bjorn carrier is not unlike a backpack you wear on the front of your body... with a baby inside
Pricing: $$$$
Pros:
- Baby Bjorn carriers can be found anywhere: Target, Babys R Us, Bye Bye Baby, Amazon.com, Craigslist, you name it
- Baby Bjorn is a trusted name, their products seem to hold-up quite well
- Bjorn offers a number of color and fabric options to suit all sorts of climates and personalities
- Small, convenient
- Classy
Cons:
- Some claim that the way the baby hangs from the Bjorn can be damaging or painful for the little one's hips, as all weight is essentially carried in their crotch
- The Bjorn is designed for smaller children. After a few months of age you will not be able to use the Bjorn to tote your bundle of joy around town
- Cost per months of use seems a bit steep. Children over 25lbs are not recommended for this carrier
Moby or Sleepy Wrap
The Moby Wrap carrier is essentially a long piece of fabric that you tie around your body in a tidy fashion. You slip the baby inside the wraps of the fabric and he is then 'tied' to you
Pricing: $$ ($ if you make your own)
Pros:
- I found the moby wrap particularly helpful as we established breast feeding. The fact that you can 'tie' your baby to you 'skin-to-skin' and not show the world that you are topless (around the house or hospital room) is very valuable in my opinion
- The moby comes in a variety of fabrics, colors, textures
- Also available just about anywhere: Walmart, Target, on-line, craigslist, you name it
- The moby allows for carry of the tiniest preemie through a much larger baby
- Videos all over youtube to help you build confidence on different carry options
- You can wrap it inside a jacket and pop the baby from a car to the carrier seamlessly during errands because you don't have to take off the moby between stops
- If you take 5 yards of fabric, cut it in half length-wise, you can make your own at home (Alternatively, I took two pieces of 2 1/2 yd of fabric, sewed them together with some jazzy stitches and you are also all set)
Cons
- It is a long-ole' piece of fabric (this is understandably intimidating at first and - honestly - a real turn-off for my husband as he simply didn't want to contend with the wrapping)
- The stretchy versions, while wonderful when the baby is young, are not as helpful as they grow - for longer use opt for a linen or other non-stretch variety
- It would be cool if the 'Moby tag' (read marker for middle of fabric length) was sown flat so that it didn't pop up and scratch baby in the face or on the back of the head
Ring Sling
The ring sling is just what it sounds to be - a length of fabric with a pair of rings at one end. Don't worry, the rings are sown in, you don't have to worry about loosing them. :)
Price: $$ ($ if you make your own)
Pros:
- For me, this was a hand-me-down, so I didn't have to buy it -- extra bonus!
- The ring sling has slipped from the spotlight in recent years, so you can find even the coolest ones for cheap! For example, a friend and I stumbled across a gorgeous embroidered one at T.J.Maxx for a steal a couple months ago!
- I found the ring sling particularly helpful around the three month mark, baby could hold his head up a bit
- The donning of the ring sling is extremely quick and easy
- I hear the ring sling can be helpful for nursing, though I have not mastered this combination others have raved about it
- Patterns are available everywhere for making your own ring sling, if you are brave. Just google ring sling pattern, some are even free
Cons
- This, like the moby wrap, was too much fabric for the man of the house to entertain. Not that it is not possible, but heads up for all the new families out there. If your man is into the stream-line, he may not embrace this option
- I was uncomfortable using this when baby had no head control, but many do not have this concern, so approach as you like
Ergo Carrier
The Ergo, not unlike the Bjorn, is a back-pack-type infant and child carrier.
Price: $$$$$
Pros:
- The Ergo suits the youngest preemie through a much larger child
- This carrier can be worn in the front, the back, or on your hip
- There are attachments that include a fanny-type and a back-pack-type attachment that can allow for carrying of a diaper, etc. These attachments are sold separately
- With the carrier comes a zippered pocket for parent, perfect for a wallet as you walk to market or paci, chapstick, etc
- The carrier also comes with a hood that you can snap over baby's head to block sun, hold baby's head up as he naps
- A water resistant cover is available for rainy climates
- A winter muff is available for cool climates
- Ergo is available in organic options
- Ergo has paired with Petunia Picklebottom for custom designs
- Ergo is ergonomic and keeps child's weight all across their bottom, not in their crotch, supposedly more comfortable and safer than some other carriers
- Teething pads are available for the straps nearest baby, so that they can goo all over the strap and you can clean them easily
- Ergo is a domestic company, out of Hawaii, always good to support jobs on the home front
- Daddy's like the Ergo
- While the cost among all carriers reviewed, the Ergo is highest, it is suitable for the longest durration of child carrying months. Children up to 45 lbs can be safely carried in the Ergo
- We opted for the performance Ergo due to the lighter material and could not be more pleased with this carrier
Cons:
- You will want to have an extra set of hands around as you learn to put this on with an infant, it is entirely possible, but takes a little learning
- At four months, my son and I were able to master the back carry, but I wouldn't have dared to try it sooner due to his neck strength
- Whether front or back carry, the child always faces the parent. For some this is no issue, as it is said to promote parent-child interaction - always a good thing.
- You can't reach the pocket if the carrier is worn on your back. Sounds self-explanatory, but relevant.
- Most stores in Summit County do not carry the Ergo. In-fact, we headed down to Columbus to try it out at Bye-Bye Baby. Hopefully local retailers will get hip to this awesome carrier (or Bye Bye Baby will open a store nearby)
Hope this helps you in your decision-making!
Cheers-
--The Rubber City Homestead
Hello!
As my husband and I started our trek down the (seemingly) long road towards parenthood, we quickly realized that there was a lot that we wanted to learn.
The library offered a wonderful selection of books that certainly helped to establish a nice foundation for pregnancy and childbirth. Still, we found ourselves craving a more personal touch. We decided that we wanted to find a Child Birth Educator (CBE) that presented the information we were looking for on our journey.
I must say, that there are a great many approaches to child birth... and that no singular approach is right for everyone. FURTHER-- the choice that was right for me, your best friend, your mother or your neighbor, will likely not be the exact path you are seeking to travel down. And that, my friend, is perfectly fine!
Parenthood seems to evoke the most personal of opinions for those just beginning the journey-- AND for those who simply cannot wait to share their own experience. As with any huge life event: marriage, death, etc. childbirth carries with it some very potent opinions. I will mention it now, I will likely say it again later... stick to your guts, follow your heart. What is right for your household will be right for your baby because it will put you, as the parent, at ease. Those who love you, those very same folks who cannot WAIT to tell you all the things you should/shouldn't/can't/can do... they will get on board when they see how happy you are. (And if not, they will promptly board the happy train when that precious cargo has unloaded... because the smell of babies makes everyone smile)! ;)
Alright. Back to Childbirth classes.
Here is what we found:
- HOSPITAL COURSES - Call the hospitals (try to call at least two so that you can compare) nearest to you. They all offer some sort of childbirth course. Some will offer specific information regarding cesareans, nursing, VBAC (Vaginal Birth After Cesarean), a refresher for second time parents, etc.
- Ask questions when you call. The hospitals charge money for most of their classes, just the same as a private instructor. Make sure they are going to cover the topics that are of interest to you.
- Be weary of some hospital courses. Some will 'teach' you the methods that they find most useful-- quick entry, seamless administrative processes, a timed labor, procedures to expect and hospital policy. If this does not align with your birthing goals don't be afraid to keep looking!
- The highlight of hospital courses might be that they are frequently offered, meet a variety of schedules and really seem to meet the needs of a lot of new parents.
- ON-LINE - Some courses are offered on-line.
- These courses may meet the need of a couple who is not interested in a group activity, but who would not enjoy reading a text together.
- There are a variety of on-line options out there, in a variety of formats. Dig around and you will likely find one that covers the information you are in search of.
- One example: http://pregnancy.about.com/od/childbirtheduc/a/cbeclass.htm
- BRADLEY METHOD - A husband-focused method of childbirth
- http://www.bradleybirth.com/
- This is a good course for folks who are seeking a healthy birth for baby, mother and family.
- Bradley has been around for a quite a while and those who have taken the course seem very happy with it.
- 12 comprehensive classes for each course.
- There are instructors through-out Ohio: http://www.bradleybirth.com/Directory.aspx
- HYPNO-BIRTHING
- http://www.hypnobirthing.com/
- A movement that (of-course) started on the west coast and is moving eastward.
- There is a great textbook that I can personally vouch is available from Akron Public Library that includes the meditation CD that many on-line copies do not include
- Hypno Birthing is about learning how the muscles in a mother's body work to bring a child into the world. By understanding what is happening in the body, the belief is that a mother will be able to control fear and pain by working through the discomfort in a number of methods taught here.
- Emphasis on a calm birthing experience
- There are instructors in Northeast Ohio: http://www.hypnobirthing.com/ohio.htm
- BRIO BIRTH
- http://www.briobirth.com/
- I must confess, Brio is almost unheard of here in Ohio... BUT it's big out west :) A friend of mine teaches Brio in Colorado so we had an inside scoop on the content; add to that what we learned about Brio... and we were confident it was the right choice for us.
- Brio, in short, covers the finer points of all the above courses and puts it together in a very comprehensive group of lessons.
- As with many of the above options, Brio classes are 12 courses long.
- Brio also covers breastfeeding, which not all courses offer - be sure to ask, if this is relevant to your household.
- They have an EXCELLENT text book that will be of huge help during labor.
- Their instructors are fabulous.
- Brio focuses on empowering the mother and the father by informing them of (not only) the birth options that they hope to utilize, but also the implications for all contingency choices in childbirth. This can be particularly helpful if labor and delivery do not go perfectly according to plan... as they often do.
- While I realize I am biased, Brio gave us confidence in the choices we prepared for our labor experience and also gave us peace with our choices when the initial plan was effectively thrown out the door and we had to think on our feet! We had learned about our options and what each choice would mean for our child and for me, as the mother.
- *As a word of caution, Brio is a newer company that got off to a rough start. They were first known as 'The New Bradley'... which of-course promptly brought about a lawsuit. So... they are struggling to grow to reach all the folks who want to take their courses. If you find that Brio is the right course for you, but the nearest instructor is too far away, ask if they will Skype... ours did! We drove to the first and final courses and joined our classmates via Skype for the remaining dates to save on the commute. It worked beautifully!
There are obviously a lot of options to consider on the child birth educator front, so take your time if you do not find a quick match. The course content you are looking for is out there!
As I mentioned before, though I have strong reasons for adoring Brio courses, you may find that they are not right for you -- don't give up on the idea of childbirth classes as a whole, just dig a little deeper. The answer will come to you!
When??? When should you begin your childbirth courses? You may get different answers to this question, but I would recommend starting not later than somewhere in your 7th month.
Good luck and happy learning!
--The Rubber City Homestead
Hello Akron!
At long last I can share that our little Gremlin is no longer cooking away, but instead has come to our lives to stay!
Mr. RC Homestead and I were THRILLED to welcome our precious son in September!!!
We are doing our best to learn how to be the best darn parents to this little guy that we can. For now, he is growing like the weeds I failed to tend in our garden :) the last few months.. and nothing could make us happier!
I thought I might pause from the regular homestead postings to add a bit of what we have learned here at the Rubber City Homestead on our journey to become parents. As with any new little one, there are a number of purchases that a prospective parent will make. We tried to do our research, to buy from American companies, those who are ecologically responsible and who made the BEST STUFF! For the most part we have really been tickled by our choices. If you are sorting through all the options, perhaps this information will be helpful.
AND now that we have a couple weeks of honest 'field testing' under our belts, I feel confident sharing a bit of this and that. So... stroller, crib, car seat, carrier, diapers, breast pump, birthing classes, hospitals in the area, diaper bag, nipple cream, registries ... I'll try to touch on the high points in the next couple weeks.
It feels good to be rejoining the rest of the world after a wonderful time away :)
Happy Autumn, Akron
--The Rubber City Homestead
