Nursing in a Ring Sling

In this video Renee gives you tips on how to nurse in a ring sling.  The ring sling is often the easiest carrier for new moms to master nursing in but it certainly isn't the only option.  Stay tuned for more videos from Renee with tips and tricks for nursing in other carrier types.

Renee Owsley McBay is a wife and mother to 1 year old Jemma. She enjoys the closeness and convince of babywearing and sharing it with others. In her free time she volenteers for BWAT, loves watching Doctor Who, crafting, and reading just about anything she can get her hands on

How To Break In a Woven Wrap

There are many, many ways to break in a woven wrap and every time you ask the question in a large babywearing group you are going to get 100 different answers.  It does seem that the general consensus is that the absolute BEST was to break in a woven wrap is to use it.  The more you use it, the faster it will break in.

But what if you don't have that kind of patience?  What if it is just too darn stiff and you wanted it to soften up RIGHT NOW?  Well there are many things you can do to speed up the breaking in process.

Wash it.  Be sure to follow care instructions for the fiber content of your wrap, but if its safe to do so, wash it and tumble dry on low.

Dryer Balls.  Add a bunch of bouncing wool balls to the drying portion of above or throw the wrap in dry and toss in a damp towel.  The more dryer balls the better they work.

Braid It.  Ok, so its not what you usually think of as a braid with 3 seperate peices.  It is more like what is often reffered to as a daisy chain.  Learn how to do it here.

 

New to braiding?  Check out this you tube vid: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuXlCdLiTpU

 

 

Donut.  Like the braid, the donut uses friction of the wrap against itself as well as the pulling and tugging and manipulating of the wrap to break it in.















Never made a wrap donut?  Never fear, you can get help here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CHpu0JnezDY


Sit on it.  Just fold it up and sit on it.  Or sit on it braided.  Or sit on it as a donut.  If folded, unfold and refold often. 

Sleep with it.  For reals. 

Knot Pulling. Also called knot dragging.  See how here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xs2IYwzoQfY

Let the baby play with it.  They know it's important to you so they will want to drag it around and play with it if you let them. Or sleep on it or roll around in it or use it as a blanket.

Hammock.  Always fun, you can make a hammock or swing out of your wrap for your little one to lay in.

Run it through crib rails.  Or chair slats.  Run it back and forth through multiple if you can.  Make sure they are smooth and unlikely to snag your wrap.

Iron it.  As long as it is ok for your fiber content, ironing will help break in your wrap and have the added bonus of making it look pretty.

 

Somer Johnson is a Babywearing enthusiast and Momma to E, a bundle of energy. She is a Babywearing Institue Scholar working towards her certification.  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.

 

CotW - Kinderpack Hip Carry

Changing up Carry of the Week a little bit, here is one for you SSC lovers!  Give this quick hip carry a try, you may discover whole new worlds with your beloved SSC or develop a new found appreciation of SSCs in general.  Without further ado, CotW!

 

Hello. My name is Heather and I am a Kinderpack addict. This love was further cemented on Friday at Gilcrease Museum’s Museum Babies program. Had the dude comfortably riding on my back only to learn the museum prefers babies worn in front or hip carries (seems some curious backriding babes were grabbing at priceless art……oops!). Having successfully hip carried numerous times with the Ergo, decided to do the same with my Kinderpack. Worked like a charm and very easy to do!

First unsnap all buckles, slide buckles to maximum length, and push the Perfect Fit Adjusters (PFAS) as close to the buckles as possible.

 

Next, ignore the smattering of toys on the floor and place the Kinderpack around your waist to accommodate a hip carry. Snap the front shoulder strap into back buckle to create a sling. Slide the sling over your head. This makes the seat for baby.

 Insert baby into the carrier. Bring the back shoulder strap around your waist and snap it into the front buckle. Tighten until baby feels secured.

Slide the front, diagonal strap onto your shoulder. Snap the PFAS behind you for additional support and to keep the front, diagonal strap from applying unnecessary neck pressure. Initially, do not be surprised if assistance is needed to buckle the PFAS. It helps to have them out and accessible before you put baby in the carrier. Tighten the front, diagonal shoulder strap as needed.

Voila! You are now successfully hip carrying in the Kinderpack. Happy Babywearing!

 



**Side note - this hip carry can also be done in any SSC where the straps unbuckle.  That includes Ergos and others.

 

Heather Langley is an avid babywearer and proud mom to Rex, age 19 months. She is a Babywearing Around Tulsa administrator and Employment Specialist at Family & Children's Services Women in Recovery program. Heather enjoys spreading the babywearing love, music, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.

Carry of the Week - Front Cross Carry (FCC)

 

 

This week we are going to visit a staple that should be in every babywearers handbook, the Front Cross Carry. This is my absolute favorite front carry and one I recommend every new babywearer learn. This is one of the few “poppable carries”- you can pre-tie this carry and put baby in and take them out without re-tieing! This is great for squishy babies when you have a lot of changing diapers, etc. going on. This is also a fabulous carry for a nervous public wrapper! Pre-tie at home and pop baby in when you get to your destination! I used this carry for every preschool drop-off for the first 4 months of my LO’s life.

 

 

We started this series with the Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC) and this is very similar so if you did that carry with us you won’t have any trouble picking this one up - this carry doesn’t have the vertical torso pass. This carry is also a great nursing carry. This carry can be done with your base size wrap on up. So my base size is a 5 and I can do this carry with a 5, 6 or 7.

You start this carry with a pre-tie:

1 - Bunch the middle marker at the center of your back;

2 - Bring both tail in front of you and cross the as you bring them over your shoulders;

3 - I like to put my arms inside the crosses and pull out just a bit to make sure there is room for my LO;

4 - Cross again in the back and bring the tails around to tail in front at your waist.

5 - You will essentially have a torso pass across your back with an X in the front and and

X in the back with the ends tied at your belly botton.



After you get a pre-tie you can insert your baby as follows:

1 - Find your inside pass, the X that is nearest to your body and put you baby against the

OPPOSITE shoulder

2 - Lower baby into the X with one leg going into the closer X

3 - Switch baby to the opposite shoulder and insert their other leg into the other side of

the X

4 - Lower baby to sit in the bottom of the X and adjust both sides to fit knee to knee

starting with the inside pass

5 - I like to untie my tie and bounce up a bit while pulling down to tighten my wrap (you

can also go strand by strand to tighten while holding the opposite rail between your

knees)

6 - Tie under baby’s bottom in a double knot.

You can remove the baby from the wrap without un-tieing by doing the above only backwards: Raise baby up towards opposite shoulder of inside pass and remove the first leg and then switch to the opposite shoulder to pull the baby all the way out.

 

 

 

 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MwAADLMirm4

   

Photo: http://www.wrapyourbaby.com/pretiedx.htm

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

One of the best things about this carry is how easy it is to discreetly nurse in. Here is a video demonstrating that: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SMrng7kp0gE

If you find your wrap is a bit on the short side to tie in front, here is a knotless varriation that you can try: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVwuTpp-N-o

   

As always, please post your pictures on the Facebook page as well as any tips, suggestions, or struggles. If you have a problem you want a carry solution for, please let me know! I love to create posts by request.

 

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.

Do It Yourself Carrier Tutorials

Do It Yourself (DIY) Carriers: General Overview
with Tutorials

       

 

 

There are a lot of ways and types of carriers you can make yourself, if you are a crafty person. It is highly recommended that you use Gutermann's thread or Heavy Duty due to the amount of weight and wear that occurs at the threaded areas. Also due to safety and liability issues, we only recommend that you make your own carriers (or for family members). BCIA and CPSIA are two standards organizations that you should be aware of and compliant with in order to sell or make carriers for others. These standards are becoming even more strict and including lead, chemical and weight testing for all fabric/thread used. If you have questions about these standards, please message C.J., Ashley, or Somer and we will be happy to point you in the right direction if we cannot answer them ourselves.

 

 

 

Stretchy Wrap (such as a moby, sleepy wrap...) - Very easy to make and no sewing is even required. You can use 5.5-6 yards of cotton knit fabric (with stretch no more than 30%), cut it down the middle length wise and you're done! You can hem or serge it all the way around for a more finished look but it's not necessary at all. This does create 2 stretchy wraps.

 

 

 

Water Wrap- This can also be done very easily and no sewing is required. You get 5.5-6 yards of football mesh, cut it in half length wise and you have 2 wraps. You can serge the edges all the way around if you want, but it's not necessary at all.

 

 

 

Woven Wrap- This can be done with minimal sewing skills. You can use gauze (great for newborns in the summer), osnaburg or 100% linen (other fabrics can be used, though they do need to be considered bottom weight). All 3 are safe for front, hip and back carries. The amount you need will depend on the length of wrap you want. If you want a standard long wrap (approximately a size 6), you'd need 5.5 yards of the fabric you choose. You should be able to cut it down the middle length wise to get 2, but this will depend on the width of the bolt. We recommend 24-27 inches wide for a wrap when finished so it would need to be at least 50 inches wide to get 2 out of one piece (most manufactured wovens are 27in for reference). After cutting it length wise you can also "taper" the ends which is cutting them at an angle. This will help when tying it when you wrap as it won't be so bulky. A difference of 5-6 inches cut at an angle is a decent amount. You create the tapers opposite of each other (meaning, on one end of the wrap the "top" is longer with the "bottom" shorter, on the other end the "top" would be shorter and the "bottom" would be longer; laid flat the direction is the same /==/). Then, you'll hem it all the way around the length and width of the wrap. It may also be helpful to add a "middle marker" which is easier to do prior to cutting the tapers. This can be done by just a short decorative stitch, a small scrap piece of a decorative fabric to mimic a tag, or just a few stitches. This will help you when wrapping to know where you should start from depending on the carry you choose to do.

 

 

 

Ring Slings- This can be done with moderate sewing skills. We only recommended to purchase the rings used for slings from slingrings.com as they have been weight tested for babywearing (though o rings used for horses can be used they are heavy compared to sling rings). Sling rings are also not welded so they have no weak points in them which under pressure could cause them to break. There are wonderful tutorials on how to make ring slings on sleeping baby production's website. Fabric choices are numerous but the fabric does determine the type of sling that needs to be sewn. A bottom weight fabric can be used in one layer only. A pretty quilter's fabric we recommend in a double layer with a bottom weight. A medium weight fabric we suggest using two layers. Multiple layers can also be warmer and more difficult to adjust.

 

· One Layer Ring sling- http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/sling.html

· Reversible Ring sling(same fabrics) http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/reversible.html

· Reversible (different types of fabrics) http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/reverse2.html

· Two layer with lightweight fabric- http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/doublelayer.html

· NO SEW Ring sling- http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/no_sew.html

8 Steps to create an X Box Stitch

Mei Tais- This can be done with a moderate to higher level of sewing skill. Thread choice is very important as the thread carries weight. Also reinforcing all seams, extending the straps at least 6 inches into the carrier, and using "x boxes" (shown above) on the shoulder straps where they extend into the body of the carrier is important to insure the likeliness of the carrier ripping is minimal. Also if using a lighter weight fabric a bottom weight support panel between the layers of the body is suggested (can be a full panel or an internal X or U support panel, see below). Using multiple layers or bottom weight fabrics are also suggested for all straps. There are a lot of great tutorials and patterns out there on how to make a MT and many threads over on thebabywearer.com. Here is the link to a post there with numerous patterns and directions.

 

· http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?177441-MT-Answers-a-compendium

· faux ball baby overall MT- http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/bbo.html

· wrap conversion MT- http://www.wrapmeitai.blogspot.com/

o(You could do this with 100% linen and Osnaburg fabric as well.)

· "Hood to Headrest MT"- http://www.stilllearninglife.com/2008/01/diy-hood-to-headrest-mei-tai-tutorial.html

· Scandi MT Tutorial- http://scanditute.blogspot.com/

Internal X Support Panel

 

 

Soft Structured Carriers- This can be done with moderate to higher level sewing skills. Just as with a MT, thread choice is very important. Also seam reinforcements, straps sunk into the body, and "x boxing" on connecting areas are important. We also suggest that double or bottom weight fabrics be used as straps and if using a light weight fabric that a support panel be used. It is also recommended to use only weight tested buckles (to the weight limit that you feel comfortable with; I have found buckles tested to 90lbs for a $1 each).

 

· SSC tips- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?117666-SSC-(Soft-Structured-Carrier)-Tips

· Chelsea and Shira's SSC Pattern download- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?233690-Free-SSC-Pattern-now-available!-Have-fun-)

· SSC PDF download pattern- http://www.mediafire.com/?whdfr3hbm9t

· SSC tutorial on blog- http://latebloomercrafts.blogspot.com/2008/11/ssc-tutorial-1-cut-list.html

· SweetPod SSC tutorial- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?393607-sweetpod-ssc&highlight=buckles

· Tip to turn MT into a "half buckle" without sewing- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?418472-Converting-a-MT&highlight=buckles

 

 

 

Podaegis (Pods)- This is a blanket type carrier with straps on the top. These can be made with moderate sewing skills. As the same with a MT, thread choice is important as well as sinking the straps and "x boxing" them to reinforce them. Straps should be a bottom weight fabric or a double layer as well as the blanket.

 

· Wrap Pod- http://wrap-pod.blogspot.com/

· Straight strap pod- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?93216-Pod-directions-draft-version

· Angled strap pod- http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/showthread.php?114473-Silk-Pod-sew-along-directions!-Finished-yay!

· PDF download straight strap pod- http://www.thewahmmall.com/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=46_56

· Patchwork Pod- http://sewshesews.wordpress.com/2009/10/01/baby-carrier-tutorial-a-podaegi/

 Angela Miller is an extraordinary mother to 4, including a rambunctious boy, an adorable set of twins, and new, little girl that likes to keep her on her toes. In Angela's very little free time, she enjoys DIY carriers and is aspiring to purchase a loom!

 

 

C.J. North is a Babywearing Institute Scholar who is also a certified elementary teacher.  She stays home with her three kids; 6yo stepson, 2.5yo son, and 6mo daughter.  C.J. has a love/hate relationship with cloth diapers and is crunchier than she ever thought she would be.  She also manages the allergy and special needs of her family, while being overly addicted to research.

CoTW - RRRR (Reinforced Rear Ruck Rebozo; A.K.A. Pirate Carry)

  RRRR! 

 

 

This week’s carry is another back carry. This is best done with a short wrap (size 2 or 3) but I am doing it with a long 3 (almost a 4) and finishing with a candy-cane chest belt. You can use up to a size 5 and incorporate a chest belt tie off. You could even use a size 6 and finish with a tibetan tie. Even if you only have a size 5 or 6 wrap, practice this carry and allow the tails to hang long. It is often easier to practice “shortie” carries with a longer wrap to begin with. This carry is a ruck variation tied at the shoulder that includes a horizontal pass spread over the child (rather than a bunched pass like in a more traditional ruck).

I couldn’t find a picture tutorial for this specific ruck variation so i’m going to include more detailed written instructions:

1 - Place the middle marker of the wrap on your chest and bring it around to your back. Where the wrap touches your spine is the spot you should center your baby (this carry starts off center)

2 - Once your baby is on your back, start with a rebozo pass with the shorter tail coming under your arm. The middle marker should be hanging over your other shoulder and will line up under your chest if you pull the tail across your body.

3 - Take the tail coming over your shoulder (the long side) under that same arm and across the baby’s back and bum straight across under the opposite arm.

4 - Now you have one tail over your shoulder and one tail under that same shoulder. You can either tie at shoulder, do a candy cane, tibetan, or other finish variation.

 

Video Tutorial: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vkLtoOvg_Jo

 

Variation (Candy-Cane chest belt): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iqt6JTLIFBQ

 

This is a fun, quick carry, that is great for a shorty wrap that can be stashed in a diaper bag. I often use this when I want a little more stability than a quick ruck tied under bum (RUB). I find I can’t tolerate any carry that relies solely on my shoulders for too terribly long. But for a quick run into the grocery store or farmer’s market, this is a great carry.

 

Please leave a suggestion for a carry you would like to see done as the CotW next week!

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.