Baby Gear: Carriers & Slings
Even before I had Emerson, I was drawn to babywearing. I loved the idea of keeping your baby close, especially in those first few newborn months. That delicious snuggle that comes with wearing your baby, knowing they’re safe and close to you, skin to skin, the bonding and connection that it breeds. It was ALL FOR ME.
Before I started babywearing, I would see lots of mothers around Brooklyn with happy babies in carriers, slings and wraps and that is how I was first introduced to this idea. The notion that there is this “4th trimester” where babies are out of the womb but still need to feel that womblike closeness with their care really resonated with me. And thus, babywearing felt like a natural fit.
Like all things motherhood, if this concept doesn’t jive with you or just naturally feel good…don’t do it! I truly believe that if there is tension and stress around any part of caretaking that gets translated to the baby and thus the beneficial affects are weighed down by the added stress = not worth it.
In motherhood, I gravitate towards things that create MORE EASE, LESS STRESS for me and for Emmy. Things that make our life, journey or day flow with greater peace and presence and connection.
Okay, back to babywearing. This is another area that I get a lot of questions and I want to start by saying that there are A LOT of amazing brands and companies, big and small, on the market. The carriers and slings that I ended up with were either recommended to me, given to me or researched and all of these are items that I still use TODAY with my 16 month old.
Carriers and slings have made our lives MUCH easier in certain situations. For example, when we traveled to Florida, Hawaii and Colorado, it was a breeze to get through security while wearing Emmy in the carrier. I always pack a sling too since it folds up so small and love to pop her in there for a walk to dinner on vacation or when she needs some “chill out time” as I notice that she gets very zen while being worn.
I started wearing Emmy at about 2 weeks old in a gentle cloth ring sling that was made for us by a dear friend. Since I am a first-time mom, and first-time babywearer, I wanted to get the hang of it in my own home and gain some confidence wearing her. She LOVED to be close and I LOVED having 2 hands free – win win! From there, we were sold.
With Emmy, I have always try to do a mix of things like using the stroller AND babywearing so she was adjusted to all scenarios and that really worked well for her. Remember, every baby is different so always do what feels right for you.
Disclaimer: You always want to make sure that YOU and YOUR BABY are healthy and well before trying anything new, so make sure your physician and pediatrician are onboard. Additionally make sure to read ALL INSTRUCTIONS, watch videos and get help if needed so that your baby is in the safest and most comfortable position possible for their height/weight while in any carrier or sling at any stage.
Now, for the GEAR we love:
Beco Gemini –
Beco Cool –
WildBird Ring Sling – The ringsling is one of my favorite items because it is SO easy to do, so cozy and looks a little more stylish to me. It is extremely supportive and you can wear your baby from newborn to toddlerhood in the same sling, which is great. This company is US based and has mothers making the slings and I just LOVE that. There are tons of helpful tutorials on YouTube and their website that I found very helpful when I was gaining confidence in using this item. At first I threaded the sling and put her in it
Whichever carrier or sling or wrap you chose, I am such a big proponent to adding this into your care-taking regimen because not only is it fun, a beautiful bonding experience and safe, but it is very effective for getting things done as a mama and giving you back a sense of freedom while still being close to your little one.