A Year Of: Baby Wearing

Brees Elizabeth will be a year old on November 15.  I know that every mother says this, but
I really can't believe how quickly the time has passed.  As I reflect on this last year and all
the adventures and milestones we have experienced, I hope that you enjoy this series of
posts about our family and all the things we have learned this past year.

A year of baby wearing...

When I was pregnant for Brees, I thought a lot about how I would juggle two children.
Not only was I about to become a mother of two, but my children were going to be 6
years apart and in completely different phases.  Isabelle is extremely active and, just like
her mother, is very involved and social.  We spend many of our weekends and
some weeknights at Girl Scouts, dance class, festivals, fundraisers, and local events.  I
started looking at different baby carriers because I liked the idea of having the baby
close while still being hands free.  With a carrier, I could breast feed in public discretely,
run after my school age child, and enjoy the closeness of having my baby near.  It seemed
so practical and efficient to me and I spent hours researching and narrowing my choices
down until I found the carrier that fit our needs best: the Ergo.

What started as a smart and easy way to manage two children on the go has become a
love affair with baby wearing for me.  This practice has been around for centuries and
exists in many cultures around the world.  Most attachment parenting gurus promote
and encourage wearing your baby because of the security experienced by both mother
and child.  Having your child so close has proven to increase oxytocin levels, resulting in
more balanced emotions and a significant decrease in postpartum depression.  Read
 more about this philosophy here.

For me, I see the benefits because I can compare my public outing experiences between
my two kids.  I never wore Belle, I either held her or pushed her in a stroller.  With Brees,
I wear her almost everywhere we go.  She has only been in her stroller a handful of
times.  The difference: Brees is must more calm and content on public outings.  She is
easily pacified because when she gets tired or overstimulated, she simply lies her head
against my chest and goes to sleep.  I don't worry about strangers touching her or placing
her in danger because she is right up against me.  When she is hungry, I can nurse
her without any fuss.  At a year old, the ONLY time she has ever had a public meltdown
was when I placed her in her stroller and stood in a busy line with a dozen kids ahead of
us.  The noise level was insane and there was so much activity buzzing around us: she lost
it.  I can't really say that I blame her, my nerves were on edge as well.  Had she been in
her Ergo, she probably would have just put her head down and watched curiously from
the safety of my arms.  I honestly attribute her easy going nature on the go to the fact
that she feels secure and confident in her sling.  She can curiously look around at the
big bright world but then, when she feels overwhelmed, she has my heart beat to soothe
her, my warmth and voice to feel safe.

I've read many articles and talked with people who feel that baby wearing makes
children insecure, shy, and passive.  They feel that carrying your baby all the time will
stunt their development, both physically and socially.  Brees Elizabeth is living proof
that these fears are unfounded.  She began walking at 9 months old and is very curious
and active.  She is always exploring, observing, and on the move.  I feel that our
attachment parenting methods have actually made her MORE independent because she
feels secure, her needs are always being met.  When I am wearing her, she has the chance
to look around and absorb her surroundings without being overwhelmed, she can control
how much she experiences.

As with all things parenting, baby wearing may not be for every family.  For me, it
has allowed Brees and I to build a rich and solid bond, given me the ability to move freely
and tend to my older daughter while still  nurturing my babe.  I love being able to kiss the
top of her head every time she looks up at me and smiles.  I love watching her take in
the sights and sounds of each new adventure.  But most of all, I love how happy and
content this sweet little girl is, making me a happy and content mama.