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Wednesday, April 15, 2009

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Love at First Wrap!

Four years ago, when my son was a baby, I was definitely not a babywearer. I had seen a Snugli once and someone recommended it to me so I put it on my baby registry. I didn't think much of it. My mother-in-law bought it for me. So, I used it, occasionally. There were a few grocery store trips that it helped with and one airport stint that it came in handy. But I mostly found it awkward and uncomfortable.

So, when I was pregnant with my daughter I did not really intend to wear her. I kind of wanted to get a different baby carrier (I was thinking of a sling) for those first few weeks but I really did not want to spend the money on something I only expected to use for a few weeks. I got the snugli back out. I figured I would make do.

Then she came along and she wanted to be held ALL THE TIME. She was not calm and quiet, like her brother. Nope, my daughter takes after her mommy - she is loud and opinionated. She wanted mommy. And I was not available to her as much as I was when her brother was a baby. I run a small daycare in my house and I had four children here besides her and her brother. They were five, one, three and two. Did you catch that I was caring for an infant, a one year old, a two year old, a three year old, a four year old and a five year old. Something had to be done.

So, a friend lent me a ring sling but I could never get a handle on it. It was okay if she was sleeping but I never felt like she was secure in there. So, we went back to the uncomfortable Snugli.

The problem was that she was three months old (way older than I had expected to use the thing) with no end in sight. Luckily, it was Christmas time and my mother-in-law asked Hubby what I wanted for Christmas. I remembered that I had seen a woman in a Moby wrap at the local children's museum. I did some research on the Moby and told Hubby that I really wanted it.

A few weeks later, I had it in my hands. I tried it out right away and it was love at first wrap. Even before I put my daughter in it I loved it. It felt like I was wearing nothing. Then I put her in and we were very happy campers. She was all snuggled in to me and I was able to keep her there indefinitely. It was so comfy. There were no pressure points, no pulling on my back, just ease and comfort.

Since then she and I have been everywhere with her in there. We walked around Washington DC, we have been to a multitude of hockey games, we have played out side with all those big kids and we have gone about the house doing everyday activities.

The funny thing is now I feel like I have no idea how I got along without the wrap when Big Brother was a baby. If she is fussing, she will calm right down and start smiling as soon as she sees it. She sleeps in there while I jump around and celebrate when my team gets a goal or wins a game (we are a hockey family). And, if I am being 100% honest, I just love having her there. Getting to snuggle with her at any moment, taking her outside all wrapped up and inside my coat. It is a very special time and soon enough she will be running around and leaving me in the dust. So, at least for now I can wrap her up in my Moby and keep her close.


- Upstatemomof3

30 comments:

Minnie said...

The Snugli was the first thing we had. Like you we just put it on our registry because we didn't know any better. It worked (sort of) when she was itty bitty but she quickly got to tall to wear her in the front (90th % for her height) but she was still to young to wear her in the back.

So, I got the Maya Wrap ring sling and at first I was disappointed because I could not do the cradle carry w/ her....she just seemed SO uncomfortable. (probaly because of her length...I dunno) So I waited until she could hold her head up well enough for the hip carry and I fell in love with it....but that's the only successful carry I have mastered and now she is getting so big, it leaves me REALLY sore after I wear her.

I am SO sold on the Moby for baby #2. I actually broke out the Snugli yesterday to try the back carry w/ DD. It was SO complicated to get her in it and put it on and she started throwing a fit because it was so uncomfortable....so I'm packing it up for good.

I really hope I win a Moby, that would be sweet!

Amanda G.

Kristin said...

I love to hear when babies love the carrier so much that they get excited when they see it-- it means they love being near their mom so much! I think it's adorable :) Your little one looks so comfy in the Moby!

Kelly said...

That's it! I am convinced! I will definitely be getting one of these!

Brinn said...

That is a great story - and the Moby wrap does look so comfortable! I think I'll trade in the one I got for my shower for one of these!

EdenSky said...

aww. I love the pics of babys sleeping in wraps!

PJ said...

That's what the evilish thing I had was a snugli!!! Boy that will make you not want to wear your baby. Also, with the short time it can me used you don't really think there is anything out there you can use.

Brittany said...

I am loving all of these Moby Wrap posts! They are so informative, and make it easy to love the Moby Wrap!

Ashley said...

LOVE the pics! So great to hear the story of a busy baby wearing mom.

Umm Sayf said...

Alright, alright. . . I'm gonna try a moby! :)

Suzy said...

I started out with a snugli too. Can I say ouch?

Abby said...

I was excited to see you post! I think every pic of Baby Sister that I have seen has been in the wrap. Ok, maybe not all of them, but a lot. I think you have me convinced too, I might need one of those for #2. I LOVE my Moshi Baby Carrier, but I think this would be perfect when he/she is smaller!

lsnellings said...

What a sweet story! I love the pictures! My first carrier was a snugli too and I hated it! I thought the bjorn would be better but it wasn't! I am definitely sold on the MOby wrap!

hosiewosie said...

What sweet pictures. Anyone have experience nursing while babies are in slings? I do it all the time in my Mei Tei and it's become a neccessity- can you nurse in a Moby?

Becky said...

I love the pictures on this post! I wish my little guy loved to cuddle up like that :)

Jess said...

Awww baby sister looks oh so snuggly in there! Is amazing what you can get done with 2 free hands!

Sara in Seattle said...

I've always been a bit leery of the moby (it looked sort of hot and maybe complicated), but all these posts are changing my mind!

Katie said...

That is funny, I got a Sungli for my first too!! It was horrible. I then "upgraded" to a Bjorn for #2. It was not until #3 that I started to experiment with slings and other carriers. I still have not tried a Moby, but would love to. They look so comfortable!!

Katrina said...

Hopefully your little girl will still love the Moby Wrap even once she's a walker. I know my little Brendan still loves it. :)

Serena Michelle said...

Howsiewosie: I've nursed in pouch slings - and I've tried nursing in ring slings but I just couldn't get the right position... I never tried nursing in a Moby Wrap - but I know it can be done. I'm well endowed up above so for me it was always a challenge getting a comfortable position for baby and I while nursing in a sling.

Sarah said...

I love that picture making the cookies! It is adorable!

Upstatemamma said...

Hee hee! I just read through all the comments on here and am so amused by how many of us started out with a snugli. And to answer hosiewosie's question - yes you can definitely nurse in the moby. And it is very discreet. :)

A Psych Mommy said...

Great post! I love all your pics too, it really promotes how easy it is to wear our babies!

Liz said...

Has anyone tried the Moby with baby on the back? I put DD in my mei tai tonight to clean after dinner and I almost passed out with the pain! I am really looking into something that can be used for the back, plus DD is almost 5 months old..would I still get enough use out of it? The reason for the back carry is that DD wants to be held and I need to pick up all of the little toys, dirty laundry, etc left on the floor by her sisters! So I need something that I can bend over with, not easily accomplished by my pouch or bjorn...

Also, can the moby be used in the pool (just standing)? I need a carrier that could work for the beach/pool for the summer!

Chic Mama said...

Funny how a high-maintenance babe can make a die-hard babywearer out of you huh?! Babywearing saved me with my son!

The adventure of a redneck mommy. said...

we are expecting our 3rd and i have never used a wrap before but i am sure with a one and two yr old i am going to need one, when this baby is born they will be 3 and almost 2. I am defiantly investing in a Moby wrap.

Serena Michelle said...

Liz: Here's some tips from Moby Wrap for the back carry:

http://www.mobywrap.com/t-instructions-Hike.aspx

They call it the "hike" hold. You can definitely wear baby on your back - it just takes a bit of getting used to! I always recommend practicing while standing next to your bed.

As for using this is the pool - in all honesty, slings aren't generally recommend in the pool as far as I'm aware. My friend's husband is an EMT and certified lifeguard, and teaches pool safety through the American Red Cross... he said it's far too risky to use a sling/wrap inside a pool.

However, you could use it for a day at the beach - so long as you're not really getting far into the water or anything.

Hope this helps!

Mulberry Mama said...

I love love LOVE my Moby. I didn't have it for either of my kids (I really wish I had for DD: she was a high needs "carry me all the time" baby and the Bjorn was uncomfortable on my shoulders) but I use it all the time for my 3 month old nephew: I"m his babysitter. It's the best thing ever. I recommend it to all my pregnant friends! I can't wait to wear my new little one in November.

Sara said...

glad you found something that works!

Beth said...

like I am sure that you have heard like a million times the snugli is what I got too. I would love to get a moby wrap, my problem is that I really can't afford to buy one. So it is just one of those things that is on my wish list.

Angela said...

I love my wrap too, I had a sling for baby #2 and 3 and got the wrap with baby #4... I was so bummed it did not find it sooner.