5/28/2006

Angelina Jolie is babywearing!

Everyone saw [Angelina Jolie] wearing her 4-month-old daughter Eunice Mae in a Baby Björn in some magazine. Terrific! When the movie stars are seen babywearing, it suddenly appeals to more people and this is wonderful.

However this does not make a baby carrier of this sort a wise choice. Just because the stars haven't properly educated themselves as to all the options out there, doesn't mean the rest of us normal folk can't make a great decision on a baby carrier. An Ergo Baby Carrier, for example looks quite similar but you can continue wearing it for years!

If you want to pay pretty close to $100 and only use your baby carrier for a few months, then be stuck lugging a stroller, go for it! But I seriously recommend doing a bit more research. Babywearing is so lovely, not something you just want to do for 3-6 months. Strollers are heavy and awkward and they put a separation between you and your child. All babies are treated like little movie stars, not just those of the actual movie stars! Hey, this is probably why the movie stars are so drawn to babywearing. It's just safer to have your precious little movie star up close.

Check out the other baby carriers that are out there and don't think you have to limit yourself to just one baby carrier.

5/24/2006

Ergo Baby Carrier Instructions

I am so proud of myself! I have a long way to go but I have made some great progress updating the Ergo Baby Carrier Instructions page. I've added some tips that come from all my experience with the Ergo and some tips that my customers have shared with me. If you've got a great tip, share it with me!

5/18/2006

Babywearing and The Ergo Lady

They say to do what you love. It has taken me my whole adult life to get here but I have found my bliss. I teach babywearing and sell the best baby carriers.

What the heck is babywearing?

Babywearing is the best little secret of parenting. Babywearing means just what it sounds like: using a baby carrier, your little one is secured to you like part of your outfit.

Babies who are worn are right up with the action, seeing whatever mom or dad is doing, so there is no need to fuss or complain of boredom or discomfort. No need to run away to get some attention. Since little one is so close to mom or dad, she’s getting constant physical contact and is secure. Need to nurse? The snack bar is open! Tired of nursing? Baby goes on mama’s back or on daddy.

Babies can tend to get disorganized after too much stimulation or when they get tired. Babywearing gets them sorted right back out.

My favorite reasons wear baby
  • I have 2 children and need to tend to the older
  • Sometimes I like to eat. Babywearing enables me to have free hands so I can prepare food.
  • Travel is so simple with a baby on your back and no stroller to check.
  • Strollers can’t go on gravel, up stairs, on sand or in some places like museums.
  • It is difficult to get strollers in and out of the car, especially if you are holding your baby.
  • The baby fusses while you’re struggling with the stroller.
  • The baby demands to be picked up anyway and then you only have one hand to use to push the big heavy stroller.
  • When you are in someone’s house and it’s not child-proofed, having a baby carrier will save you.
  • Sleepy babies want to be held.
  • The bond is so much closer when you touch your little angels a lot.
  • You really can nurse hands-free and get other things done. I did not believe this with my older daughter. Believe it.
Things to look for in a Baby Carrier

A well-designed baby carrier, such as the Ergo Baby Carrier, is comfortable for the parent and baby and ergonomically correct. Some of the baby’s weight is supported on the wearer’s hips and some on the shoulders. The baby’s legs should, in general, be together for the first few months. An exception to this is if the baby has hip dysplasia. At around three months, when baby naturally chooses this position on her own, her legs should be open. Some experts have expressed concern with the growing trend of baby carriers that have baby supported mainly by the crotch. There is concern that this can lead to hip dysplasia. Anyway, I am certain that I would not like to be suspending dangling by my crotch. Also, small babies should be worn facing the parent. They are simply too vulnerable to be facing out, soft belly to the world, as it were. When worn facing in, they can still see plenty of what is going on around them, but they can check in with mom or dad and connect whenever necessary and hide if required.

Where to learn more

You can learn all about the Ergo Baby Carrier from TheErgoLady. You can learn about babywearing either online at thebabywearer.com or find a group that meets you by looking up your area on the NINO website, ninenineout.org.
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By Ellen Sandoval, Babywearing Consultant and Babywearing Educator. Ellen owns and operates SoBeBabies.com, Inc and TheErgoLady.com and works at home with her two lovely girls underfoot.

Picky, picky!

My daughter just turned two! I know! Can you believe it? And lately, I've noticed she's so particular about her positioning when I wear her in the Ergo. If I try to put her on my back and she's not in the mood, she protests and wriggles. If I try to put her on my front, and she was in the mood to be on my back, same thing! She's even requested a hip carry a few times. Adorable!

The good news is she is once again more willing to be my model. For at least her first 16 months, I could use her to demonstrate any baby carrier and any position in my NINO babywearing meetings. Then she started having too much fun playing with the other kids and didn't want to be interrupted. Now, when she seems me playing around with my Reborn doll, she usually decides she'd rather be picked up.

5/01/2006

The Ergo Lady


If you know me at all, you'll know I'm obsessed with the Ergo Baby Carrier. I use mine all the time and have since my 2nd daughter was around 7 months old. In fact, within a few weeks of getting mine, I incorporated and decided to sell them! It took me a few weeks because I didn't catch on to how to use my Ergo Baby Carrier immediately and was intimidated by it at first.

My daughter is turning 2 tomorrow and we're still going strong with the Ergo Baby Carrier. I continue to use it every single day as does my husband. I love it. That said, I have just launched a 2nd website dedicated to this wonderful product. Locally, I am known as "The Ergo Lady" (or maybe it's "That Crazy Lady" but I'm not choosing to hear that!) so guess what my website is called? You guessed it! Have a look at The Ergo Lady and watch it grow. There will be more photos, more information, more videos, more, more, MORE!