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Have yourself a babywearing Christmas

30/11/2018

Have yourself a babywearing Christmas
How babywearing can massively help at this time of year...

I blooming love the anticipation of Christmas. A scroll on Pinterest at the end of November, a quick Amazon order on black Friday and I feel well prepared. In reality, I find Christmas preparations fairly stressful and time consuming. We have made a massive effort in the last few years to tone it down. Get back to basics and just enjoy time with the kiddos.

But even with my best efforts to turn down the crazy, December is still a bit mental. For me, babywearing has been vital to getting it all done and staying sane. (Maybe)

So even if babywearing isn't normally something you do, or you're thinking your baby is too big or too old, read on...because this is going to be one of those parenting hacks that really helps with managing it all and still meeting baby's needs...

1. Shopping
Even if it's not the big Christmas present shop, everywhere is busier now right? Using a sling can make life so much easier. Baby is settled. You've got hands free to pick things, you can navigate your way through busy shops/stairs/escalators etc with ease. And for toddlers, back carrying is an amazing way to stay connected in what can be an incredibly overwhelming situation. And they can't run away!

2. Family
Do you have well meaning family who are desperate to hold the baby? Auntie dear who has a raging cold but insists she wants a cuddle? A sling or carrier makes quite the excellent barrier to stop that. It keeps baby calm and settled rather than passed around which can overstimulate them and lead to upset quite quickly. (obviously if your baby and you don't mind then that's cool).

3. Nap time
Routines are off whack, dinner is at a funny time, everyone is staying up later, it's noisy and crazy. Protect nap time (and stop the overtired baby problems) by getting baby off to sleep in the sling or carrier. Toddlers and preschoolers too. It can be their safe space, their place.of rest and calm amongst the hustle and bustle. No screaming meltdowns because they just need a nap! (And while we're at it, if that well meaning relative we mentioned above suggests you're making a rod for your own back, stick two pencils in your ears, pants on your head and say "bibble")***

4. Christmas carol concerts/Nativity plays etc
The letter came home the other day for Samuels carol concert, babies are very welcome but prams and buggies are not! So sling it is. And actually a baby or toddler in a sling, you can wander around at the back, keep the baby calm, see better and stop them being unhappy sitting down - win win!

5. The church service.
I love a christmas church service. It's always so busy and merry. But similar to at the carol concert, babies who want to crawl around can be tricky. Slings are great in church. Baby is usually happy, especially if there is lots of singing and standing up! Anna was actually baptised while asleep in the sling!

6. All the prep. All the jobs.
So.many.things.to.do
I find my time well filled in December. From remembering to stuff the advent calendar to decorating to posting cards...there is always something to do. And let's not forget turkey day itself! Guess what, baby in a sling and carry on!

7. The walks!
Anyone else love a walk on Christmas day or boxing day? Or a zoo visit on boxing Day. Wonderful. Get off the beaten track with babywearing for sure.

8. The days out.
Have you got days out planned? We are trying to have family days out instead of mucho presents. It works really nicely for us. A sling is so handy to use public transport with ease, stay connected with your baby, see things together...

9. The movies/the witching hour...
Babies, although they may enjoy the twinkling lights, they don't really care it's Christmas. The witching hour carries on, baby's still need all the normal comforts. Baby in a sling, walk around the lounge and enjoy a Christmas movie. Whats your favourite? Mine has to be the holiday.

So there you have it, how babywearing is gonna save Christmas. Or at least make it just that bit easier. 💖
come along to a sling library session and we'll happily help you find a great sling!
***if you get this reference you get 1000000 bonus points!

babywearing and dog walking top tips

14/11/2018

Before I had children (and dogs) I totally had visions of long beautiful countryside walks at sunset, dog gently lolloping at my feet. Children singing in harmony as we walked...some sort of cross between a Disney movie and the sound of music...well something like that any way.

The reality is my dogs are nutty and my children would rather play football or light sabers than sing in four part harmony while we go for a blissful walk together. (What was I thinking?)

But life with children and dogs must go on, even after having had a baby. Dogs still need walking/exercising and babywearing is an excellent way of managing it all. Baby will usually be happy to snooze in the sling - win win.

Here are the things that have helped me carry on with babies and dogs in tow...and for those seasoned babywearers and dog walkers id love to know any extra tips!

1. Good footwear
Start with the basics. You don't want to be slipping in the wet or ice while out dog walking in all weathers. Getting something that is warm, cosy, comfy and waterproof with non slip grip has been a game changer for me. You don't want to come in from a dog walk, baby sound asleep in the sling and have to wake baby up to change socks because they are soaking. I cannot love my north face snow boots any more than I already do.
https://www.thenorthface.co.uk/shop/en-gb/tnf-gb/women-footwear/womens-nuptse-purna-ii-32y7?variationId=YXW

2. Layers are your friend
\nFor you and baby while out in all weathers. Go for thin layers. Use thin thermal base layers for you. And something over the top of you and baby (babywearing coat/large zippy top/maternity coat etc) remember that the sling counts as layers of clothing, depending on how many layers the sling has. So protecting extremities from the cold or heat is going to be really important. No SNOWSUITS for baby. These all in one footless and non padded suits are amazing though https://www.babipur.co.uk/organic-baby-clothes/baby-coats-jackets-snowsuits/frugi-baby-snuggle-suit-scandi-birds.html

3. Choosing the "right" time for baby
For me, certainly in the early days of breastfeeding around the clock, I would feed the baby and then go. Because chances are after that baby would happily sleep in the sling and I didn't have to worry that baby would be hungry imminently. And for the doggy...We got our first dog (sooty) after Bethany and Luke were out of slings. Samuel came along shortly after getting soot and he very quickly associated me putting the sling on with walk time and would bounce around like the nutty Labrador he is which wasn't very helpful. So babywear at other times too! Then it's not *just* a dog walking tool! (We did, sooty is just a chancer!)

4. Back carrying
From around 6 months, when baby can sit well unaided, back carrying is another game changer. It coincided for us with the time I couldn't see over baby's head any more and so back carrying made dog walking so much easier. Come along to our next workshop! :) https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/back-carrying-with-buckles-workshop-tickets-52153072243

5. Squat don't bend
Yep I'm talking about picking up the poop. Very many times I see a mama in at a library session who wants a sling for dog walking, pop one on, and she tries to bend over and see if the sling is supportive enough to pick up poop. Squat! Don't bend! It's all about the squat. It's not going to be comfy for you or baby to bend over. Baby's weight will pull you forward and baby's head will not be well supported. Work on those squats. Keep your back straight - that's the way to do it!

6. Choice of sling and bag
I've used both a woven and buckles while out with the doggies. Whichever is most comfy for you is fine. I would say, make sure you're happy with how it feels before going on a dog walk, especially if it's a wrap (woven or stretchy) as you don't really want to be adjusting mid walk. Give yourself just an extra minute or so to get it just right before heading off. And for my bag, I use an over the body bag. Keys, phone, purse and poo bags in an over the body bag which works for both back and front carrying. I like to have everything accessable so a small bag works well.

7. Basic commands - practise.
Well this is less about babywearing itself, but incredibly helpful while babywearing. Leave, wait, drop and go home have been necessary so I'm not having to chase after a dog with a baby in a sling haha!

8. Short lead.
I'm not a fan of extendable leads or long leads while babywearing. I don't want the chance of my dogs (cos they will) crossing in front of me or suddenly pulling at the end of the lead. It's a trip hazard for you and baby.

9. Ball launcher and fetch
You've probably already got one, but totally 100% necessary for babywearing. You don't want to be having to squat down and pick up a slobbery dog ball every 2 minutes with baby in the sling! Also, a good game of fetch rather than a mega long walk is pretty perfect, especially when you're in that fourth trimester still. (See next point)

10. Take it easy and let go of the guilt
Yes the dog needs to go out, but if you've just had a baby, be kind to yourself. A good run around a field and a fun game of fetch is great too and less toll on your recovering post natal body than a 5 mile hike. Let go of the guilt of your new baby changing things for your dog. Your dog knows you still love them. And another worry to ditch is baby sleeping in the sling. THIS IS A GOOD THING! You might hear some well meaning person who says "oh baby will only sleep in the sling" don't worry! It's not always going to be true and while baby enjoys slingy dog walks it's perfect!

So that's it. I hope that's helpful and happy babywearing and dog walking!

Have yourself a babywearing Christmas

babywearing and dog walking top tips

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