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.

 

Disney World, Two Kids and No Stroller

When I first said to my husband we should take our two littles to Disney World without a stroller, he looked at me like I was nuts. ‘No really, it can be done!’ I promised.

I immediately posted in Babywearing Around Tulsa, asking for experiences from others who had done the same thing. I was disappointed when there were as many nays as yays.

So, I kept that to myself and we boarded a plane to Orlando with a 2-year-old in a Kinderpack and a 9-month-old in an Ergo and no stroller.

And it worked out just fine. Below are some of our pictures and a few tips for taking on such a task!

A large theme park with two ages two and under is no small task. And it requires stuff. But maybe not as much stuff as you think. I tend to go minimalist anyway, but for this particular outing I made sure everything I packed was necessary. Refillable water bottles for everyone, sunscreen, a few snacks and enough disposable diapers for the day plus wipes was a much pared-down diaper bag from our usual day-to-day diaper bag filled with cloth diapers, ointments and oils of every kind.  

Ditch the diaper bag. I know, I just said I packed a diaper bag. And I did, I just packed it in a backpack, which is key when you are babywearing and have no stroller. I also utilized all of the little pockets on our carriers and attached my wristlet Baggallini to my Ergo for easy access. 

Bring extra adults. This may not be feasible for every trip, but we had my husband’s parents come along with us. This meant my husband and I could wear the kiddos and grandpa could wear the backpack. If we had not had the extra adults, my husband would have worn the backpack anytime my toddler wanted to walk, which was quite a bit, and I would have worn it on my back with baby on front in between.

Consider the weather. We took our trip to the big mouse’s house in May and we lucked out. The temps were in the 80s at their hottest and it was quite breezy. Even so, babywearing gets warm and we were all thankful for our recently purchased chilly pads. We just wrapped them around the torso of the kiddos when they were being worn. We also scheduled some built in breaks from babywearing: lunch inside and air conditioned shows interspersed throughout the day broke it up nicely. 

Know the rules. Before going, we checked out all of the rides and requirements online. I knew ahead of time that I would be able to wear my son on all of the rides we had picked out, anything that was all ages. Since this was a quick trip for the kiddos, we weren’t concerned with getting on rides that everyone wouldn’t be able to go on. Getting on and off the rides wasn’t an issue either since I was able to wear the baby. My toddler hopped in and out of the Kinderpack and my husband would just buckle the empty carrier back on like a backpack. I’m sure this saved time over searching for a stroller in the stroller park after every ride

Now that we’ve done it, I’ll admit it. I was pretty scared of not having a stroller. But by the end of the trip, my husband and I were constantly noting how in the way all of those strollers crowding the park were, how quickly we could get around and how nice it was to keep moving even though the little guy needed to nurse or nap.

Though it may not be everyone’s style, my husband and I had a blast wearing our babies at Disney World and can’t wait for our next big babywearing adventure.

 

 

 

Lauren Holloman is the proud momma of two kiddos plus a small menagerie of dogs and cats. When she isn't busy chasing two kids who are running opposite directions, she writes, edits and designs. You can read her pet blog at tulsapetsmagazine.com.

Rocking the Ring Sling

Ring Slings are some of the easiest and most versatile carriers there are.

 

(ok, so thats just my opinion, but I bet a few people agree with me.)

They can hold a newborn squishie up on mama's chest or keep a wiggly toddler tight on mama's hip.  Many people can nurse in a ring sling.  Some even back carry in a ring sling.  The tail can be nursing cover, sun sheild or blanket.  And the best part is they come in every color of the rainbow and every pattern imaginable so you can pretty much gaurentee that you can find one that suits your personality and style.  From fun and silly patterns to elegant silks, ring slings rock.

Since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are just a few ages and stages enjoying some ring sling snuggles.

Snuggly 2 year old

Oscha Starry Night Nebula dyed Blue Ice

You can see that the way a ring sling is tightened strand by strand allows for completely individualized fit.  Whether you are wearing a tiny new squish, a wiggly new walker or a tired toddler, a good supportive ring sling is a great option. 

Hiking with a 15 month old

AnnaCarrieBaby water ring sling

20 month old gets tired of walking at the Tulsa State Fair                  Giving mama hugs.

Bristol Looms Peacock (handwoven)                                                  Natibaby Africa

Two month old squishie goodness!                       I don't want my picture taken, I just want my mama.

Oscha Braid Obsidian with lambswool                   Natibaby Mossy Forrest - Hemp/Cotton blend

 

Tiny Newborn love! (2-3 weeks old)
Hopp Timbuktu

Notice baby is close enough to kiss, neck supported and feet out.

Airway is unobstructed and face is visible.

Newborn C shaped spine is fully supported through strand by strand tightening.

 

Sleepy two year old at the Oklahoma Aquarium

Bristol Looms Peacock (handwoven)

(totally successful transfer out of car seat and into the ring sling without waking her, a definite victory)

 

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.

A New Mother’s Entry into the World of Baby Wearing

“We don’t need to register for bottles. We’re going to breast feed until the baby is two.”

“If the baby is a girl (but I know they’re not), we aren’t going to be doing all the ruffles and baby bling.”

 

“Oh sure, it’s nice that we were given a swing and a bouncer. But we’ll never use them.”

As a first time mom, I’ve spent the past few months eating a lot of crow. Tearfully, I would admit to my mother “Without that swing, I would not be getting any sleep.” I would burst into tears as my husband came home from work and say “I just know she is going to hate me. I had to put her in that bouncer while I showered.” In brief moments of postpartum happiness, I would laugh at the pile of pink and frilly laundry...before tearfully remembering all the thank you notes I had to write. The baby blues hit me hard and all that help I didn’t think I needed became really important.

 

Recently, with my hormones more in check, I had to accept, after a long bout with bizarre and serious breastfeeding complications, that it was okay to stop nursing and give formula, if it meant that I was no longer in pain and could be a more involved mother.

I struggle to think of one area of my life that hasn’t changed, one area that doesn’t involve me doing something I never thought I would do. 

I say all the above to say this: I always knew I wanted to wear my baby. The research about the benefits of close contact, the first hand experiences from mothers I knew and the happy inheritance of a sweet stash of wraps, slings and SSCs really got me amped up. So after I was able to wear clothes that were not pajamas and consider life beyond the couch, I started playing around with my new toys. My daughter was about one month old when I first wore her and though it was anti-climatic (she just kept on sleeping and we didn’t even go anywhere), I felt like a successful mommy. Finally.
 

At first, we used the Moby wrap. I had seen a good video about how to tie and practiced before she was born (although I never thought to wear my cat, like I’ve seen some people do). She seemed secure and never woke up, so it was good for me. The immediate downside of the Moby, the incredible heat, lead me to yearn for a cooler option. Enter the ring sling.

 

Upon making my first local “mommy friend”, I saw that she had a Maya ring sling, like mine. She was able to show me how to get the little one situated and give her a good seat. I loved the freedom and comfort for both DD and myself. So a week later, as she fussed in church, I knew what I could do. I put her in carefully and watched my rails I gave her a good seat and then walked, bounced and danced her around until I realized I could hear the music clearly. She had fallen asleep. Her little head was thrown back and it seemed she was in the midst of fighting her nap when the warmth and security snuck in and lured her to sleep. I tucked her little head closer to me and kissed her. She has been up in her sling many times since and always ends up napping.

 

Since becoming a member of Baby Wearing Around Tulsa, I’ve seen many beautiful carries and heard many great tips. I’ve also developed a curiosity about Tulas that may be endangering my future relationship with my Ergo. I’ve been so grateful, as a new mom, to have such a resource and look forward to all the friendships, advice and stash building to come. I would say that, as a first time mother, one needs very few things that come from the store. What you really need are: mommy friends to support you, information and support about your options and maybe a good ring sling.

 

I wear my baby because it gives us some security and cuddle time in the middle of our day. As my life resumes it’s former pace and I introduce my little girl to the world around her, I am grateful to have that time. Maybe I’ll use baby wearing to help me clean the house. When I start to do that again.

My name is Alicia Kobilnyk. I've always worked with children, except for a brief foray at a Zoo, which can be quite similar. I especially enjoyed teaching toddlers but recently got promoted: to Mama. I'm on my journey into the land of baby wearing, cloth diapering and all the yummy goodness that crunchy motherhood brings.

March Meeting

We had an AMAZING March meeting!!!  I mean, just look at this turnout: 

 

 

And thats just the folks who were able to stay for the picture.

Babywearing 101, taught by one of our amazing instructors, Ashley Ritchie, was well attended.

 

Many carriers were tried on and many happy babies worn.

There was a fantastic sharing on knowledge and bonding over the love of babywearing.

There were a couple skeptics though.

You just gotta love them!  Oh, the babies too. (haha)

 

Its awesome being able to bring this kind of bonding to mama and baby.

 

 

Thank you so much for your continued support.  If you didn't make it to our March meeting, try to make our next one.  Due to a conflict with the Great Cloth Diaper change, our "April" meeting will actually be held on May 3rd (same time and place as usual).  We would love to see you there!  As you can see above we have carriers to fit every need.  From wraps to ring slings to soft structured carriers, from newborn to toddler and every stage in between, even in multiples, we've got you covered! 

 

We will also have an information booth at the Tulsa Great cloth Diaper Change.  Stop by and say hi, we'd love to meet you!



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.

 

Papa bear and his (steadily growing) Cub

After my first “blog” or whatever you would call it, I wanted to write another a few months later. My son Jase, just turned 9 months old last week and in the time from the last time I wrote about my little tater bug until now, some things have changed (mostly good!).

 

I was lucky enough to have a close friend that was able to sell me a Kinderpack at a good price and also was EXTREMELY lucky to win a Boba 3G organic off of Bobas website. I guess I unintentionally shy away from wraps for two reasons. 1.) I know its dumb but they don’t have a ton of affordable “boy/guy” color combos (or at least that I've seen), and 2.) I had so much trouble with the Moby wrap that I think I would have a lot of trouble with a woven. I'm not sure whether either of these statements are true but I guess that’s just how I feel at this particular moment.

 

 

That being said, I will say that I wear my Kinderpack and my Boba all the time and my son and I could not be happier. I think that wearing my son and not really caring what anybody else thinks has been one of the best things that I've been able to do as a father. I get all kinds of looks in the store and malls etc, and even comments from my friends but I sluff all of them off (as I watch their kids run around and break stuff) and think to myself “Thank god I chose to babywear”.  It helps so much in everyday life and the SSC is very comfortable and my son falls asleep in it all the time. I admit that the bubbles pattern might not be, in a manner of speaking, the most masculine print available but it was a well taken care of carrier at a good price and the safety of it matters more than the print to me.

 

 But honestly I get more positive feedback from people saying things like “ well, now that’s a cool carrier thing, where do you get one of those?” Which opens the door for me to totally overdo the next few minutes of conversation by totally feeding them a TON of info about baby carriers that I'm pretty sure they didn’t want to know in the first place. I'm a good story teller (just ask Kim Williams-Harris or her husband Luke) and I'm a fisherman, so I guess you could say I was born to talk J. But when I see something that I know is beneficial to all involved and I am passionate about whatever subject that may be, I go to maiming and killing to convince others as well.  (Kidding!)

 

 

I will say that in the past few months that I have seen the number of baby wearing daddys increase (sadly not as much as I would like) but it is increasing so I can't complain. I know that people like Somer and CJ and others have forwarded on my first blog in the hopes that it might help some shy or prideful daddy to babywear. That makes me happy and if my first writing helped even one dad to strap on their little one and charge into a store like a stormtrooper then it was well worth the (very little) effort.

 

Let me just send an observation to any dads that are just starting to wear or even remotely considering to wear. Do it. It truly is fantastic. The first time your child is in your carrier and he/she lays their head down to go to sleep on your chest and then falls asleep, you'll realize that that is one of the greatest feelings you've ever felt. I feel closer to my son than ever before when he does it.  You might get a strange look from some older person or a rude comment by someone who is ignorant of such new fangled things like this but just remember that these are the same people that didn’t like power steering and power brakes. So its not that they don’t like the carrier or you, they just don’t like change, and that’s ok.

 

For you dads who wear, Awesome! Keep it up for as long as possible! Even if you wear 5 times a year, your still doing better than the status quo. I want all guys everywhere to be as passionate as I am about babywearing because all health benefits aside, it makes me feel good about being me! I can't tell you the number of times I've had women of all ages come up and commend me for being such a caring daddy. Being a dad is the greatest thing ever in my life and I don’t do it for commendation or peoples attention or for any kind of kickback. But I will say that it feels good anytime someone tells me that I'm doing a good job.

 

To the ladies of the BWAT group, and all the others that I've come in contact with who babywear, Thank you for making me feel like im a part of something great. You all have been wonderful and keep it up!

 

Keep calm and carry your kids!

 

-- Jake



 

 

P.S. if any of you ladies husbands want to friend me on facebook, have any questions that they would prefer to ask a guy about etc…. do not hesitate to let me know. I'd love to help be a part of another daddy learning the awesome benefits of baby wearing!


Join Jake and others in his Facebook parenting group Parents of Great Kids.