13 awesome reasons to get in the swing of baby wearing

Confession. I have three strollers — much to my husband’s chagrin at the expense and space they take up in our garage — and I love all of them. They all have a totally different purpose and I’m glad I have them. But my favorite way to stroll with my little one doesn’t involve a stroller at all. It’s baby wearing. Little did I know that my ErgoBaby Carrier would be one of my all time favorite baby items. I take it everywhere, even when we take the stroller “just in case.” So I thought I would share a few awesome facts about baby wearing:

1. It’s easy: Throw a wrap or sling in your baby bag and take it everywhere. No setting up a stroller, no taking elevator/ramp instead of stairs, easy to slip through crowds.
2. Look ma, no hands!: You can be close to your little one and have two free hands. Let’s face it, half the time we’re out and about I end up taking my son out of the cart/stroller/etc. and carrying him anyway and pushing the stroller anyway, at least for a bit. When I wear him it’s never an issue.
3. A happy baby: Proponents of baby wearing say babies who are worn a couple hours a day are calmer and cry less.
4. Strengthen your bond: All that time in close proximity strengthens the parent baby bond and makes you more in touch with their needs.
5. Less fussing while out: With a baby just under your chin it’s easier to know what they need and quickly respond when out and about.
6. Multitasking mama: Baby wearing means I can care for my little one AND get things done. Whether it’s a brisk walk, shopping or even dishes and laundry.
7. Great for travel: I’ve worn my baby in a wrap and Ergo carrier through airports, museums, aquariums, busy downtown areas, farmer’s markets and even on a halibut fishing charter tour.
8. No cheek pinching: Ladies always touching your baby’s hands and face in the grocery store and sharing their germs with your little sweet cheeks? While many people seem to have no problem crossing into a baby’s personal bubble, they are far less apt to touch a baby snuggled up under your chin in mama-bear’s personal space. And it’s easier to step away or put your hands between them and per-immunization newborn.
9. The view is great: Wearing a baby puts them at the caregiver’s eye level allowing them an excellent view of the world and learning ground during everyday activities.
10. Small talk: Having a baby that close makes it easy to chat and tell them about what you are seeing and doing. Talking, reading and singing to your baby are key to speech development.
11. All shapes and sizes: There are a zillion different wraps, carriers, slings and baby backpacks out there to suit almost any shape, size and lifestyle.
12. Nurse that baby: Close physical contact is key to establishing a good breastfeeding relationship in the beginning. Also, many baby carriers can be adjusted to a nursing position to help a mom discreetly feed her baby on the go.
13. Coping with colic: Some babies experience hours of unexplained crying in the early months where the only thing a parent can do is hold and sooth the baby for hours in the evening. Baby wearing can help parents and newborns cope with this difficult time.

Before you hop on the baby wearing bandwagon, please, educate yourself on safe practices. Use the acronym TICKS:

TIGHT
IN VIEW AT ALL TIMES
CLOSE ENOUGH TO KISS
KEEP CHIN OFF THE CHEST
SUPPORTED BACK

Here’s a great PDF with illustrations from the School of Babywearing.

Find out more about baby wearing safety at babywearinginternational.org.

7 tips for flying with babies

Flying with a baby can be a stress-inducing experience. I’m a nervous flyer to begin with, so the thought of flying with my 5 month old for the first time this summer had me on pins and needles. I love actually flying and travel in general. The whole experience of no cell phone, no internet, free snacks and just zoning out for a few hours on my way to somewhere new is simply the best. It’s the whole circus of going through security and navigating a busy airport that gets me anxious. But now we’ve taken several flights out of Alaska and back and each one has gotten easier. So pack light and relax with these tips for traveling with a baby:

1. Lap infants:

On most airlines, children under the age of 2 can fly in their parent’s lap without a ticket. Check with the airline you’re booking if you want to save money. For me it was a no-brainer, because I knew my babykins would insist on being held the entire flight anyway. However, if you are flying a long way without a companion you might want to consider the extra space of another seat and the possibility of sitting your child down for a moment to eat, read or just relax. Either way the airline and airport security will need to know you are flying with a lap infant, so make sure you include that information when you book your flight.

2. Documentation:

At security, I was asked to confirm my son’s name and birthdate, but was not asked to provide documentation for him. It woulb be smart to travel with a copy of the birth certificate just in case though.

2. Baby wearing:

I’ve decided baby wearing is pretty much the best thing ever. And even better in an airport. It keeps your hands free for boarding passes and carry-ons but your baby close and comfortable. I flew once with a wrap and once with an Ergo and loved both. I even walked through security that way, although you should ask the TSA agents what they prefer as you approach. I wore my baby in a front carrier right onto the plane although the flight crew may instruct you to take the baby out of the carrier for takeoff and landing.

3. Car seats and strollers:

Car seats and strollers can be checked with your checked bags at no charge. It’s a no-brainer that your child will need a properly fitting car seat to arrive at and leave an airport, so they are considered assistance items. Or you can use them all the way through the airport right up to the plane and “gate check” them. They are considered something needed for transportation just like wheelchairs and walkers, so you don’t have to pay extra to bring them along. If you take them into the airport, just check in with the gate agents for the airline and they will tag your items accordingly. Some airlines will even fold and unfold your stroller for you so your hands are free to take care of your precious cargo boarding and de-boarding the plane. If you decide to use your stroller in the airport, be prepared to run the whole thing through the bag scanner at security, as well as a car seat. For infant carrier car seats, fold the handle and canopy down and place the car seat upside down. Do yourself a favor and remove any toys on the handle and cushion inserts that aren’t secured to the seat — one less thing to worry about in the security line. Fold your stroller up and don’t be afraid to ask the TSA agents for help placing it correctly on the conveyer so it will fit though. They see different strollers all the time and know which way most fit.

4. Give yourself lots of time:

One of my trips was a breeze because everyone was so helpful and offered to fold and lift my big items at TSA. On another it was hectic and people behind me were rushing, rushing, rushing. All I can say here is just take a deep breath and allow folks in a hurry to pass around you to give the time you need to sort everything out. Arrive at the airport extra early so you have plenty of time to break down all your equipment at security and set it back up on the other side. All while keeping track of your personal items and holding your probably freaked out baby. There’s usually a special line for families and people who need extra assistance, don’t be shy to use it.

5. Formula and pumped milk:

We are lucky to breastfeed here, so I have done neither, but from what I’ve read on airline websites and discussed with mom friends is to use the medical fluids line if you need to fly with milk. Have it sealed and in clear plastic bags just like any other fluids you fly with. Baby’s milk is not limited to the 4 oz. max like shampoo and other fluids. A formula feeding mom pal said although it’s more expensive, the pre-made, single serve formula bottles are a lifesaver for travel. If we did formula, we would probably use those. If you’re on the baby food too, those little pouches are very convenient. I even fed my son straight from one while riding in the Ergo at Sea-Tac Airport.

6. Pack light:

The first time I flew with my son I packed up pretty much half the baby room and brought a week’s worth of clothes and diapers in just the carry on. I’m not sure what I thought would happen, we didn’t even have a layover, so there’s no way we would have gotten stranded in the airport. Even if we did, I believe those overpriced gift shops sell diapers and other necessities. Now that I have a few successful trips under my belt, I can get all of mine and baby’s stuff in one checked back and carry on only my diaper bag/purse. Pack one or two extra outfits in case of a diaper blowout and a normal amount of diapers for a day outing. I think 8-10 plenty, even if your plane is delayed. One warm blanket and extra pacifiers, if you use them, and a couple burp clothes is really all you need. Anything else you usually carry with you on a day trip.

7. Look for a nursery room:

The Anchorage airport had a nursery room complete with comfy couches, tot toys and a family restroom. Most importantly, the lights were soft and the overhead speakers were turned down so I could give my son a little relief from the over-stimulation an airport causes. There were a couple families with tots in there that seemed to enjoy a safe place for their little ones for burn off some energy without stumbling into busy strangers.

8. Ear pressure:

The key to making your baby happy and comfortable on the plane is suckling to relieve ear pressure. So plan to nurse, bottle feed or give a pacifier — whatever suits your parenting style — during takeoff and landing. Smile and apologize to fellow travelers if they cry lots and loudly. But, most importantly, give them lots of snuggles and relax. I believe babies can feel your mood and react accordingly.

Good luck and happy travels!