Baby Wearing: Carriers I Love

Parenthood is a crazy experience where you suddenly become deeply familiar, of not expertly, with things that you never even knew existed prior to your child’s existence. Baby wearing is one of those things. If you told me 8 months ago I would be a able to wrangle a 20 pound wiggle worm into a fro facing carrier and check for proper hip placement all in the the 90 seconds he’ll give me I wouldn’t have believed you.

I have become a huge fan of baby wearing over these past months. When my son was just several weeks old putting him in a wrap and layering us both in my puffer jacket to walk around our neighborhood was one of the only ways to settle him for a nap. Now I take a carrier with me when we are out because he inevitably tires of his stroller and it’s just easier and more fun to have him on me.

After trying several types of carriers and a variety of brands, these are my favorites…

Baby Wrap

A baby wrap is an extra long piece of fabric that is wrapped around the wearer's body to create a secure and comfortable pouch for the baby. When you first use it you’ll think the fabric is excessive, but trust me there is a method to this madness. You can wear a wrap on the front, back, or hip but I only did front carry with my boy facing me. I actually made my first wrap out of jersey fabric I had on hand but it was too thick and warm so I bought a lighter weight one from Ergobaby once I know I wanted to use wraps.

A wrap may seem intimidating to tie at first but after a few practices (there are so many videos online) it become second nature. I started using a wrap from week one and loved it while Sami was smaller with very little neck control. As soon as he could hold his own neck I would use my other carriers far more.

Ergobaby Aura Wrap

Ring Sling

A ring sling is what I consider the simplest carrier (in theory). It is one long pieces of woven fabric with two rings at one end. Its worn in a simple loop and the rings are used to adjust so you create a secure pouch for the baby. I love how lightweight and easy (with practice) it is to put on and get Sami comfortable. It’s also easy to get him down which has become more of a priority as he’s started moving and wants to be independent at a moments notice! This is my go to carrier in the house when he’s feeling a little clingy. I love to wear it when I’m in the kitchen (with the extra fabric tucked away for safety) and Sami loves watching what I am doining.

Wildbird linen ring sling

Soft Structured Carriers

I have tried a few structured carriers, some I have sold and two that I still use a love: the Ergobaby Embrace amd the Ergobaby Aerloom. I use structured carriers when I am out of the house for longer errands (target runs, park visits, grocery shopping, etc.). As Sami has gotten bigger I’ve wanted more support ans structure to avoid back pain so we graduated from the Embrace to the Aerloom and I love it so much. It has a variety of carry positions, including front facing in, front facing our, and back carry. I prefer a soft structured carrier over more structured ones for my comfort and ease of use. I have found the more structured complex carriers with too many adjustment buckles cumbersome to use.

Ergobaby Embrace Carrier in black

All in all, babywearing is a part of my life I never knew I’d have so many opinions on but here we are! It’s wonderful wearing my baby, letting him see the world from my perspective, and holding him close while having my hands free.

The last thing I want to mention is that it’s important to babywear properly and ensure you child is safe and comfortable. I’ve learned a lot about hip health for Sami and my own ergonomics by exploring the babywearing subreddit r/babywearing. There you can get loads of carrier recommendations and even post photos for “fit checks.”

Ergobaby Aerloom Carrier in sand

Let me know if you have questions below and I can share my experience or thoughts! I am by no means an expert but my friend, Farai, totally is so check out her blog too!

7 Things I've Learned About Newborns

I first drafted this post when Baby Sami was a month and a half and I just rediscovered it. Those first six weeks were SO TOUGH so I am unsurprised I didn’t post it then, but now that time feels so far away. Here are seven things brand new mama Gina wishes she knew about newborns and the postpartum experience sooner!

1. Babies are incredibly noisy sleepers! It’s alarming at first, and then it’s just disruptive 😆

2. So much of the day is spent on regulating gases, and the rest of the day on fluids. Learn all the tummy massages and get familiar with your babies discomfort cues. A probiotic may also help if baby has chronic digestive issues.

3. Laundry is as bad as folks say but you still can’t fathom the amount you’ll need to do. Create a system, quick!

4. Now is not the time to be minimalist. Buy all the burp cloths you can store and anything that adds a little extra convenience.

5. Sleep when the baby is sleeping is the best advice, let the house go to hell and clean up when they’re no longer a newborn.

6. Lean on your mom/parent friends, they know what you’re going through and get it without much explanation. Don’t hesitate to reach out, you’re only doing yourself a disservice if you don’t.

7. And finally, trust your intuition. Caregivers and especially mothers have evolved to care for their babies. You know more than you think you do.

I Still Miss You

Three years somehow feels like a significant amount of time for you to be gone. I almost feel ashamed that so much time can pass and somehow I am still moving along. But of course that is silly and precisely what I should be doing (insert your sarcastic joke about being a loser who gives up on life here).

I miss you everyday and still can’t believe you aren’t on this earth with me some many miles away gardening, walking your dogs, watching NHK too loud, or studying up for your next Buddhist meeting where you will inevitably inspire someone with your sincerity and life experience.

I can’t believe I’ll never sit silently in a room with you reading or watching something for one of us to break the silence with a random thought that’s will eventually lead to laughter.

I can’t believe you will never meet my son, the sweetest little human who I know you would have said looks exactly like you (just like all of your great grandchildren 😆) but in this case you would be right. The number of times someone has said “he looks just like grandma in that pic” prompting me to do a double take and smile with glee is too many to count.

I can’t believe I won’t get to call you when I am struggling in motherhood, or when I have run out of ideas for dinner, or when he has a school project we need inspiration for (you will always be the queen of crafts to me).

I can’t believe you did this 8 times, and raised 7 children. I now understand why your heart was so big and how it could fit the problems of the world and still have room for more.

I will always have a slight amount of pity for my son who did get to meet you, but I will spend my life making sure that he knows you. His middle name honors you and this side of our family, and I hope it ignites his curiosity to know more.

I love you always.

Coterie Diaper Review 2023

When we were first preparing for Sami’s arrival I was shocked by the sheer number of diaper options and opinions about said options that were online and held by the parents in my life! These ones are too wide, those ones have a scent, that one isn’t absorbant enough, and that other one hasn’t got the magic back flap to prevent blow-outs. I thought once we ruled out cloth diapering (my husband was adamantly against for a slew of reasons the biggest being we don’t have a washer and dryer in our unit!), the decision would be easier, but oh was I wrong!

We tried no less than four diaper brands by the time Sami was a couple month old. It wasn’t until a friend gifted us Coterie that we finally found the combination of features that worked for our little guy.

Coterie is a relatively new brand that offers a range of baby products, including diapers, wipes, and skin care items. According to their website, Coterie diapers are made with high-quality, eco-friendly materials and designed for comfort and performance. The diapers are free from harmful chemicals and fragrances and are hypoallergenic, making them suitable for sensitive skin. This was a huge plus for us as it seems Sami is taking after his dad and is a bit sensitive.

What struck me first about these diapers is how soft they are and I think that plays directly into their absorbency. I appreciate they can hold a lot because of Sami is finally getting a decent stretch of sleep the last thing I want to do is wake him for a diaper change in the middle of the night. I also think the softness makes them extra comfortable as I don’t see the impressions in his thighs that other brand would sometimes leave. And as far as leaks I won’t say they never happen, but the do happen far less than in one brand I won’t mention here but will say rhymes with campers…

Lastly, I had my heart set on cloth diapering for a number of reasons but in life and relationships Choy’ve got to compromise sometimes. It assuages my guilt a bit that Coterie uses sustainable, biodegradable and compostable materials.

Overall, Coterie diapers have been a favorite in my household. Their wipes are good too, primarily made up of water and very large and thick. We’re still trying them out but no major complaints this far although the thickness may be too much for us, we’ll see.

Since becoming a Coterie convert I have partnered up with them! If you want to try out Coterie for yourself use my link and discount code (GINA) for 20% off!

One Year Ago Everything Changed

Throwback to April 30th, 2022… exactly a year ago I got the positive pregnancy test that brought us Sami. I remember being in disbelief, after peeing on so many sticks and a lot of disappointment I kinda wasn’t expecting a positive (despite praying for it). I was in so much disbelief that I took a test every morning for nearly two weeks to make sure my HCG levels were increasing.

I was anxious to say the least. I experienced a chemical pregnancy before and that coupled with my lifetime fear of infertility (not to go down that rabbit hole but I have always had an irregular cycle), put me on edge. I was scared to be too physical, I even remember wondering if some of my pants were too constricting!

I was elated and filled with hope, and yet filled with fear. All of the “what ifs” set in like concrete before I even finished processing my joy. That’s a large part why I didn’t share my pregnancy online until well into my third trimester.

After realizing the news we went ahead with our days as if all was the same, it’s such a bizarre experience. On one hand I want to shout it for the world to hear, and on the other I needed to keep it quiet and sacred just between us and eventually those closest to us.

Now as I sit here in my new reality and looking back at that day I kinda miss when my partner and I were a carefree twosome. But that feeling is fleeting because Sami is what I have prepared my whole life for 🤍 truly a blessing like no other I have experienced. So far our life as a threesome has taught me so much and brought so much more love into my life. I cannot wait to see how our lives together continue to unfold!

Breastfeeding Essentials

Since giving birth my life has been an endless loop of feeding, cleaning, soothing, and cuddling my baby. And surprisingly, I have really loved it. Yes, it has been challenging and the learning curve steep, but the payoff has been greater than I ever imagined.

One reason why I think this phase has been kinder to me (so far) than I expected is that I researched and prepared as much as possible for a first time mom. And there are a few key things that have made this transition to caregiver a bit easier. Here are a few things that I highly recommend for breastfeeding parents to try.

Silverettes - I picked these up during Black Friday after hearing far too many horror stories about chapped nips and painful feeding. The silver has natural healing properties which I am assuming work because I haven’t had any serious issues so far. I took these in my hospital bag and have used them from the beginning, but not I only pop them on if I am feeling a little sore and usually that resolves in a few hours.

Reusable Wool Nursing Pads - and lanolin soap to clean them. These pads are amazing. Not only are the sustainable, but you can use them for up to a week or so and you won’t have any cleanliness issues! The wool also has lanolin which has natural healing properties. I started with one pair and love them so much that I got another to use when the other is drying after a wash. PS- I have found the Medium Softlines are perfect for me.

Nursing Sleep Bras - a comfortable bra (or 10) is essential. I have always been a minimalist with bras, but nursing is messy and I have found I need a stockpile despite doing laundry multiple times a week. The simple sleep nursing bras are all I have needed day to day thus far and they are definitely the most comfortable. I have also tried the Medela brand version but they pilled terribly in the first wash, and a target brand version that just isn’t quite as comfortable or supportive as these.

Haakaa with lid - I under estimated just how much letdown milk I could collect while feeding Sami on the other side. This little suction pump has grabbed up to 4 ounces in a session for me! It particularly useful at night when I might be a bit engorged not willing to do a full electric pump session. You can also get one without the lid, but I don’t trust myself not to knock it over before making it to the fridge!

Nursing Pillow - I love my Snuggle Me organic nursing pillow because it’s super soft, cute, and can be easily used as a tummy time pillow for baby boy. I have the slate blue color, but there are so many gorgeous ones to choose from.

Nursing Chair - we invested in the Sigi recliner from Babyletto because it ticked all the functional boxes (high back, charging outlets, rock & recline), while also looking beautiful. I love having a dedicated spot to feed, soothe, and relax with my baby. And I even thoroughly enjoyed it in my last months of pregnancy when every other chair in our house suddenly became unbearable! And for an extra savings we added it to our baby registry and used our completion discount.

Bed Pillow - by my second week of breastfeeding I realized I also needed better support when feeding in bed. I really didn’t want to buy yet another pillow but this one was absolutely worth getting. It is filled with memory foam and is heavier than it looks so it offers excellent back support for the middle of the night and early morning feeds. I also use it when contact napping in bed sitting up with baby Sami on my chest.