"Operation Babywearing" Was a Success!

Greetings everyone!

Sorry for my lack of posting this past weekend. My husband was off and since we don't all get to hang out too much as a family, we spent a lot of time offline together. Hubs, Valentina and I went to my parents' house yesterday for a multi-birthing celebration for family birthdays that occurred in the last month (my Uncle was in from California, my mom is this Thursday, and my sister and her long time boyfriend were both born the same month, day and year. Crazy cool, right?!) On Saturday night, we went out to the mall so hubs could get his hair cut and I could do some shopping for my mom's upcoming birthday.

I decided to go shopping at Macy's because I have a Macy's card and like to take advantage of sales and coupons they have for cardmembers. The first time we took my daughter to the mall was actually to Macy's in mid-June when she was 3 weeks old, and she definitely did not have a fun time. She was all cozy in her Maxi-Cosi Mico car seat locked into our Quinny Buzz stroller (both items that I got as being an audience member of the Katie Couric Show's Baby Shower episode this past April!). Unfortunately, she started crying inconsolably because it was pretty stuffy in that store and once she starts crying, she gets pretty hot rather quickly. Poor little 10 lb baby girl feels like a portable heater after she has a good crying session! After this excursion, hubs and I were apprehensive about taking her back to the mall.

But I had a different idea this time around... I had purchased a Baby K'tan carrier in Olive Green for me and a Baby K'Tan carrier in Black for hubs on eBay back in April after I fell in love with the Moby Wrap but didn't like the idea of having to tie it up every single time I put it on. We tried the carriers on at home before going to the mall Saturday night. I tried it on first and snuggled Valentina into the carrier - she instantly loved it and started falling asleep! Once it was the hubs' turn and he put it on, Valentina started crying when I took her out of my carrier! But once she was on her daddy's chest, she instantly fell back asleep. Suddenly, I became so excited to go the mall. I hadn't been this happy to go there since I was in my teens! :)

We parked in front of Macy's, and hubs helped me put on the Baby K'Tan wrap. I'm sure I will soon get the hang of putting it on myself with practice, but since she really liked the "Hug" position, and it's a little difficult to untangle the shoulder straps on your own once your baby is snuggled in the inner loop, having a helper nearby is quite useful. (Note: If you are interested in seeing the different positions that you can hold a baby using a Baby K'Tan carrier, check out the instructions posted on their website here). It also comes with a sash to tie around the baby's bum/your waist area for extra support, which we utilized for this occasion.

Some awesome generic dad wearing a black Baby K'Tan carrier in the hug position.

Picture courtesy of Supermommys.com

Well, here was this big moment. The test to see if all this "babywearing hoopla" I had been hearing all of my friends talk about, and fellow bloggers write about, was really legit. Well.... I am here to testify that I am now a babywearing believer! I had the autonomy of having my hands free (although I still had one of my hands lightly on her back as I walked, I couldn't completely let go just yet!) and I didn't have to maneuver through aisles and clothing racks while shopping. She fell asleep pretty quickly with my motion and stayed asleep while I was in Macy's for a half hour, when I walked across the mall to Target to go with hubs to get a wrist brace for him, and when we walked back to our car. It was fantastic! The only thing you have to be prepared for? To stop pretty often because so many people love seeing an adorable sleeping baby held in "papoose" style... I mean seriously, there aren't many things cuter than that, right?

The great thing about this carrier is that it's simple cotton fabric - extremely breathable and 100% washable! I had a waffle on a stick with powdered sugar on it at the mall and got powdered sugar on a good portion of it (you will learn in this blog that I am quite clumsy with a lot of things, especially while eating!). I washed it and it looks fantastic!

I am extremely happy that "Operation Babywearing" was a success, and plan on wearing her extremely often when going out from now on (especially considering since I hold her so often at home and she loves sleeping at home on my chest).

Do you ever wear your baby? How do you feel about babywearing? What brand of baby carrier is your favorite and why? Tell me in the comments! :)

Thanks for reading!
~Tia

Edit at 8:38 PM EST - Boba Baby carriers happens to be running a daddy-specific giveaway on their Facebook page! Check it out - entry is easy. Winner will win a DaddyScrubs prize pack and their very own Boba Carrier! https://www.facebook.com/Boba/app_143103275748075