Happy 4th Birthday, BWAT!

I just want to wish a happy 4th birthday to Babywearing Around Tulsa!  What a milestone!  

This is my first baby.  I knew before Bitsy was born that I wanted to wear her.  I ordered this moby on a black friday sale because Mobies were the only carriers I really new about.  Mobies and Ergos and one ring sling were all I had ever seen.  My friends who also had babies right when I did were the same way and we stumbled through much of it together.

We practiced, but we didn't wear as often as I wanted at first.  We also had a ring sling but the instructions were confusing and included cradle carry.  (Which I tried!  And luckily she HATED for the most part)  And look at those footie pajamas!  I didn't know to give them a tug to free up her little toes.

All I knew is I wanted to hold my baby close.  Especially when she was sick, like in this picture here.  I KNEW in my heart that being close to mama was important, so we kept trying.  And CJ and Amanda formed Babywearing Around Tulsa on Facebook and suddenly we had a whole bunch of other people who were all trying the same thing. 

We branched out to mei tais.  Our first mei tai was much like the Babyhawk or infantino mei tais you can easily find in stores these days.  

And then the meetings started!  This is CJ, Bitsy (on front) and her boy at one of our first meetings.  We met at the play place at the mall.  Chaotic, but free.  And there were maybe a half dozen of us.  I was too intimidated to go alone, though I needn't have been, so Ashley Ritchie went with me.  

We got the hang of Ring Slings and even bought a water ring sling!  (Bitsy was such a serious baby. Nothing like her always laughing little brother)

And we got better at wrapping.  With practice and with help.  And while were doing all of that we made friends.  So many amazing friends.

But we still didn't know about those darned footie pajamas!  Haha!

 And travel got a heck of a lot easier.  Getting coffee and buffet breakfast at a hotel is a heck of a lot easier with two hands!  And comforting a baby in a strange place is so much easier with a carrier.

We also got to borrow some amazing carriers along the way.  I hope CJ still has this amazing beauty; we were so very privileged to be able to help break it in.

BTW - our selfies got better along the way as well!

BWAT has had a major impact on my life and I hope on the lives of many others.  Just looking back at my own babywearing journey reminds me of why I feel so dedicated to helping others learn and find the right carrier for them.

So happy birthday, BWAT!  May you continue to grow and share babywearing love with all of Northeast Oklahoma.  May you touch the lives of many in a positive way.  May the love you share send out ripples that reach beyond what any one person could do.

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to Bitsy and Squeaker, two bundles of energy. She is a Babywearing Institute Certified Babywearing Educator.  She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.





Has Babywearing Around Tulsa had an impact on your life?  We would love to share your story!  Please feel free to share in the comments here or on facebook and if you would be willing to write a blog post contact us at BabywearTulsa@gmail.com

Newbie

I have been baby wearing for about 7 months now. We didn't really get started until my son was about 5 months old. We got a narrow based carrier at my baby shower and we tried him in it a few times but with my lack of experience and help at the time I just didn't feel comfortable or safe because I was not tightening it correctly.

I saw on a ladies instagram, a picture of a Tula and I was like that looks just like a back pack I carried one for years in college and even after for work. This is what I need. So I went to a local store to find to try one. It was the first carrier I actually used and felt comfortable wearing. 

The person on Facebook told me that I should try and see if we have a local baby wearing group and man did I hit the jack pot! 

Since becoming a member of Babywearing Around Tulsa and learning more about different styles and types of carriers and what each could be used for I have since added a ring sling, a mei tie type carrier, and wraps to my collection. 

 
All this to say we are all newbies at some point. Everything has a learning curve and being a part of a group like Baby wearing Around Tulsa you can get safety tips, wearing tips, and allow yourself and little one to be comfortable in which ever type of carrier you choose. I attended a few of the mini classes to get hands on help with my wrapping skills that are still a work in progress. I highly recommend these type of classes if you are wanting more instruction and instructors to watch you wrap your baby, help you make a seat, problem solve what is happening for your situation and carrier. They typically offer Intro to Wrapping, Advanced Back Wrapping, Soft Structure Carriers, and are planning to try and add other classes if they have interest. (Note I am sure I missed some classes offered those are just ones I was interested in or personally attended). I hope that everyone can have a great experience like I have and utilize the knowledge of our instructors, volunteers, and members to have happy and successful baby wearing. Wear all the babies!

Kelsey Deerinwater is an athletic trainer turned stay at home mom for the time being. Mother to Race who is all boy, very energetic, always on the go, and strong willed little man. I enjoy getting out and meeting new people and having someone for Race to play with.

Growth

WARNING:  Sappy post to follow.

I thought about taking this back to the beginning.  Back to when we had a half dozen people per meeting and a dozen was a really big day.  Back to when we didn't have the giant lending library we have now so each mama who came brought every carrier they owned, whether it was 1 or 10, and dumped them all out on the tables in the room for everyone else to try.  Back when there was room to spread out a blanket on the floor and plop all the kiddos on it.  But that was way too many pictures and I still want the post to be able to load on your computer.  ;-)

My how we have grown.  Even though everything in the intro paragraph may sound wonderful and perfect and ideal to some people -- and it was a wonderful and perfect beginning to Babywearing Around Tulsa -- what we have grown into is AMAZING.  

We have tried new things and made new friends.  We have fund raised and saved dues money and searched hard for good deals.  We have grown an impressive lending library and we shared our message with so, so many parents and caregivers.

We have lived through carrier fads.  ;-) We have worked through different meeting structures and teaching techniques.  We have LOVED getting together every month.

We don't always remember to take a group photo, but when we do they are always an awesome mix of moms, dads, grandparents and babies.  The mix of carriers is always amazing.  

We love that in BWAT wrappers, SSC lovers, Mei Tai enthusiasts and ring sling fanatics can coexist and do so lovingly.  And that its very hard to get a group photo where no one is talking, because everyone loves to talk to each other so much we just can't stop.  

If you want to learn to wear your baby, you are welcome here.  If you have your one beloved wrap and need no other carrier, you are welcome here.  If you want to collect all the pretty SSCs you can get your hands on, you are welcome here.  If you want to learn to carry your newborn, you are welcome here.  If you want to try a preschool size KP for your big kid, you are welcome here (and we have one in the lending library).

Twins, singletons, front carries, back carries, fancy finishes, ring slings, stretchy wraps.....  We work with you to find the perfect carrier for you and your baby.  One of the things that makes BWAT so special is that we know there isn't a one size fits all solution to babywearing and we celebrate our diversity.

The support that this group has provided to so many is invaluable.  I hope I can get to know each and every one of you.  At our current size, I know its virtually impossible, but please know that I value every one of you anyway.   (3000 facebook members, guys!  We have OVER 3000 facebook members.  Can you believe that?  My mind is blown.)

The friendships that have been forged here are strong and deep.  Together we have learned so much and continue to do so.  

Together we grow.

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to E, a bundle of energy. She is a Babywearing Institue Certified Babywearing Educator.  She is also addicted to cloth diapers and makes and sells wool dryer balls as SomerKnits. Occasionally she also carves out some time to knit, spin or weave - her main pre-baby passions.

Plus Size Babywearing

For years I never thought a thing about my size.  I was a size two going into college.  I danced (ballet ya’ll) six days a week.   I was a twig.  Then I slowly started gaining weight, and then I got married and had babies.  I went from twiggy to plus size in a matter of years.  When my precious little guy was born, I saw a Moby wrap and I thought, “I must have that.”   I quickly went from, “I must have that” to “…but I’m too fat” and “What will people see when they look at me, the fat mom with the tiny baby wrapped to herself?”  If you are a plus size mom, I bet you’ve had the same thoughts. 

The thing is  1) No, you aren’t too fat to babywear.   2)  Yes, the carriers will fit you.   3) People will see a mother who is wearing her baby, and a tiny baby they want to touch and ask a million questions about.  They are too enthralled by your ability to multi-task and by your beautiful child and how in love you are with your child to care about your body image.

Some things I’ve learned over the past four years of babywearing as a larger mom are this. 

• Get a carrier with a pattern you love! 

Don’t buy a carrier with a dark color to try to hide your roundness or blend into your surroundings if what you really wanted was the carrier with the bright pink flowers or the one with the puppy dogs all over it.  Get something you really like and enjoy wearing it!  People will see the cute pattern and the baby anyhow.  If you are going to spend the money, get something lovely instead of the drab gray if you really hate gray.

• Don’t buy the “plus size” without first trying it out. 

A standard size carrier, wrap, or sling is probably going to fit you.  I’m a size 22 with 40K breasts, and all the standard carriers fit me *with room to spare*.   Ring slings come long anyhow.  If you are also short as well as plus size, you’ll probably find the longer sling under your feet.   If you wear the standard size buckle carriers and mei tais properly (let’s put the waistband at our natural waist instead of our hips gals), you’ll probably be like me and have to roll up all that extra strap hanging down.  I found out the hard way that just because I am bigger doesn’t mean I need a size 7 or 8 wrap…waaaay too much fabric hanging down at my feet.  So, when you see that cute Ergo and then see it comes with “waist extenders”, please don’t automatically buy the plus size accessories.

• Don’t buy a carrier without trying it first

Really, this could go for anyone, but don’t see something online or in your friend’s picture and just go buy it.  This may end up costing you a bundle in the end, and worse, will make you feel bad about babywearing and your body.  Everyone has different body shapes and what works for one person may be incredibly uncomfortable for someone else.  I’ve found some carriers have buckles that rub my arm fat horribly.  Some make my breasts contort into weird positions.  Wrapping was annoying to me because I can’t reach around my back with my short chubby arms.  However, other types had rings that I loved, and straps that didn’t rub, and easy ways of getting a baby on my back. Find a group with a lending library, like Babywearing Around Tulsa, and go to a meeting to try before you buy.  If you can’t make it to a meeting, at least borrow from another member or friend who owns what you are interested in and see if you like it first.  Meetings are nice because an expert can help you put it on correctly and be sure it fits you correctly. It’s better to be able to just set something back on a table than to have it bought and at home, where you can cry over it and get down on yourself for it not fitting well.  There’s something out there for everyone, but it may be trial and error to find the one for you!

• Yes, you can breastfeed in a carrier!

If you aren’t breastfeeding, this doesn’t apply to you obviously, but many babywearing mamas are also breastfeeding mamas.  Many plus size mamas are plus size all around…hello big boobs!  Just because you are a larger size, doesn’t mean you can’t breastfeed in a carrier too.  It may take some practice though.  My advice is to start by finding a shirt you can lower and pull the breast out the top of vs trying to lift up a shirt in carrier.  Sports bras are my go-to nursing bras for this since they have no fabric impeding the lifting process on the top.  Find a carrier you can lower easily or turn baby a bit in too.  I liked that my ring sling tail covered the top half of my chest.  Ideally, find another mom who is or who has breastfed in the same carrier you have and get help!  If I hadn’t had a real-life, in-person tutorial, I may not have tried hard enough to figure it out.  Breastfeeding in a carrier is wonderful once you get it down though.  Large breasted mamas can breastfeed while babywearing! 

• Be confident! 

Easier said than done, but be confident that you are a beautiful woman and a good mom.  This stage of your child’s life is gone in a flash, so have fun and enjoy snuggling with your little one.  Here are some of my favorite babywearing pictures of this fluffy mama and my kiddos….with at least one in my pajamas.

My name is Kristin Riffe.  I’m married and have two little boys who keep me on my toes.  I used to teach elementary school, but recently decided to quit and start a small sewing business.  I would consider myself a partially “crunchy” mama, who is somehow both extroverted and a wallflower.   

 

Traveling Wraps: What’s That?

Not long into my babywearing journey I was scrolling through Facebook one day and I came across something new and just way to cool to pass. Traveling wrap groups! I was so intrigued I had to see what this was about. Ever since I tell everyone I can, well if they are interested, and I get asked all the time, “What is a travelling wrap group?” So that is where the idea for this blog post came to be.

First, you make a feedback link inside the group. Feedback is simply a picture of your choosing where people can write what their experience with you that way others will know to trust you or not.

Second, you pick one of your wraps or carriers out that you feel comfortable with sending to other moms you don’t know. You post a picture of it and all the important information like: fiber, value because each host mails it to the next with insurance for the full value, how many hosts, length of travel which is usually one week per host, etc. Moms will comment on it if they are interested in hosting it for you. They will each provide a link to their feedback so you can decide if you would like to work with them or not.  Once you pick out the hosts you make an event page inside the group where the hosts can post tracking information and pictures as it is traveling.  Once you decide what order the travel will go on you simply mail it to the first home then it will go from home to home until it arrives back with you.  Other ways you can send wraps travelling is through round robins where a set number of people all send a wrap out and everyone in that group gets to have someone’s wrap for the full travel period. You can also temporarily trade with just one person.

Third, once you send something travelling you get to start hosting some awesome wraps and carriers.

Travelling may be fun but I need to be honest at the same time. Costs: I have always paid between $6-$19 per wrap to mail it to the next hosts so you can do the math $6-$19 X 40. Sometimes I really miss my wrap while it is away from home, I mean really miss it. The entire system works on trust. I have been blessed by working with some amazing moms, but I have heard a few but not many horror stories.

Groups I am a member of and you should join me: Wrap Wanderlust, Churny Mama’s Traveling Wraps, Motherhood of the Traveling Wraps, and Traveling Woven Wraps.

What have I hosted and sent traveling? I’m so glad you asked J I’ll start with my travelers.

1.       Girasol Double Rainbow visited 5 mamas

2.       Tukula Ring Sling visited 3 mamas

3.       Kinderpack visited 4 mamas

4.       Girasol Tenango visited 12 mamas

5.       Girasol Flamenco visited 3 mamas

6.       Girasol Double Rainbow ring sling visited 5 mamas

7.       Tula visited 2 mamas

8.       Kokadi Love In Your Heart visited 2 mamas

9.       Oscha Nova Roses just started its journey to visit 4 mamas

And the ones I have hosted in the order I hosted them:

1.       Pavo Cheetah Wild

2.       Tekhni Eco

3.       Natibaby Feathers

4.       Girasol Marley wcrs

5.       Didymos Ellipsen with silk

6.       Toddler Tula “Prepster”

7.       Natibaby Shiny Sky

8.       Storch Leo

9.       Obimama Mei Tai

10.   Pavo Hearts

11.   Pavo Spice

12.   Natibaby Brezo

13.   Firespiral Seafoam

14.   Dream Carriers Thread wcfb

15.   Oscha Knots

16.   Tula full conversion Girasol

17.   Didymos Alpaca Gold

18.   Tekhni Portico

19.   Natural Hemp India

20.   Didymos Indo wcrs
 

     21.   Kokadi Ahoi

22.   Didymos Cleo

23.   Oscha Okinami Blue Ice

24.   Girasol Dark Rainbow wchb

25.   Hoptye Pune

26.   Plume Handwoven

27.   Ovolo Fletching Wagtail

28.   Tekhni Olympus Tidepool

29.   Kokadi Eisvogel wcrs

30.   Girasol Symphuo

31.   Tekhni Ceres Raspberry

So you’ve seen my list. What is on your wish list to try?

My name is Mandi Pitts. I am a mom to two beautiful girls. I have a home daycare where I get to practice wrapping plenty of adorable babies. Even though I started late I love Babywearing! #wearallthebabies In my spare time I like to go to paint classes where there is no way you can mess up. On the weekends you can usually find our family camping, swimming, and riding our wave runners on the beautiful shores of Lake Eufaula.

 

Carry Challenge 2014

Starting January 1, 2014 we will have a 15 day carry challenge using woven wraps, full buckles, ring slings, and Mei Teis, with a new carry every day.  To participate in the Carry Challenge, you will simply make an album (titled with your name and “Carry Challenge” - much like we did for babywearing week) and upload your picture each day. I will post the title of that days carry and a video instruction on the facebook page each day.  Pictures must be uploaded that day, into your album, to count for prizes. But I would love any picture (a different day for example) to be posted in the daily carry thread on the facebook wall.

We have AMAZING prizes donated and all prizes will be awarded based solely on participation, EXCEPT for one prize for  the most creative carry. So the more carries you try, the more likely you are to win a prize! I decided to do the prizes based on participation because there are still several wraps available in the lending library if you want to check them out and participate. Table clothes, or bedsheets could be used, and 6 of the carries are done with carriers other than woven wraps. So there is plenty of opportunity for everyone!

Remember only pictures uploaded the day of that specific carry will count towards your total carry score for prizes. This will be more fun for everyone with daily participation rather than waiting until the last day and doing each carry for 2 minutes to take a picture.

The Creative Carry challenge can be ANY carrier type and any carry method. It will be up to a group vote and the winner will be allowed to choose ANY prize (except the grand prize). So if you ONLY want to participate in the creative carry - that’s fine too! The best entries will be a new carry with detailed instructions that the group can re-create on their own.

The Carry Challenge will follow this list for carries:

PRIZES!

We have FANTASTIC prizes donated for this event! Our grand prize was donated by Lauren Hyatt from Mums N Bums and is a Girasol Ring-Sling! Mums N' Bums is Owasso's newest addition to mommy and baby care! Mums N' Bums will provide eco-friendly, organic, natural products that will help you and your baby feel at your best!

Danielle J. Ethington is providing a custom Nipple Beenie for your cutie-pie! They are also available for purchase at oui oui cloth diapers!

Haylee Hager Barney is donating some adorable custom burp rags made of white cotton prefolds,  backed with Flannel and trim added. We have 2 sets of two donated.

Kristin Riffe has donated a coupon for a free customized suck pads with any fabric from her fabric library at:

http://pitterpatterstitches.weebly.com/drool-pads.html

Holly Foley has donated a gorgeous collection of custom hand-made bows that will go to several winners.

Ashley Richie of Tulsa Teethers has  donated a wrap scrap ring AND wrap scrap earrings!

And Kim Harris of Blue Marble  Market is donating a doll mei tei carrier for your little one to carry their little babies in! So cute!

If you have any prizes you would like to donate for the challenge please let me know! The more prizes the more fun for everyone! Also, remember, there are still woven wraps  in the lending library ready to  be checked out for this event! There is no reason not to participate.  I hope everyone has fun with this event and we can make it an annual occurrence!

Tiffany Johnson is a breastfeeding, baby wearing, co-sleeping, attachment parenting mama to three beautiful children. She is currently taking a leave of absence from her busy career as an estate planning attorney to focus on her home and family. In her spare time she loves crafting, reading a good book, red wine, all things geeky, and loving on her babies.