It’s February, and we want to spread the babywearing love!  Won’t you join us?  Winner receives your choice of ERGO baby carriers, plus a healthy dose of that lovin’ feeling.

Entering is easy, and no purchase is required.

1. Regular Entry Question:
Answer this question in the Comments: I love babywearing because _______________. Only ONE regular entry per person will be allowed. However, see #2 to receive BONUS entries!

2. BONUS Points:

a. Like our Facebook page and say hello!   Current FB fans will automatically receive this bonus point

b.  Leave a review of one of our baby carriers and accessories.   After you’ve left the review, email us at info@carrymeaway.com with the subject line: “Contest review” and give the link to the review you left.  If you have trouble leaving a review (our reviews are wonky sometimes -sigh!), you can email the review to us and we will post it for you.

c. Post your favorite babywearing picture on our Facebook page, with a description telling us why you love it.

d. Share the love with your friends and invite them to join the fun.  You will receive a bonus point for every person who mentions your name when commenting here or on FB.

Contest closes at midnight (PST) on February 29, 2012.

Winner of the grand prize – your choice of in-stock ERGO baby carriers (including Petunia Picklebottom!) will be picked at random from all correct entries. The winner will be announced by email to all entrants on Facebook and on the SlingLady’s blog on or before March 2, 2012.

Please check back to see if you are the winner!

Back carries are the most intimidating carries and usually the last one parents try.  Once moms and dads do try the back carrier  (be it in the ERGO carrier, the Pikkolo, the Kozy Mei Tai or any other baby backpack carrier), they are thrilled and invariably state they wish they had done it sooner.

Baby backpack carriers are wonderful for several reasons:

• The ergonomics of a carrying baby on your back make it much more comfortable for you – our backs are built to carry heavier loads!
• Having your baby in a backpack is truly hands free – they are out of your way so that you have a full range of movement with your hands and arms
• Many kids prefer back carries to front-facing in carries, especially once they are old enough to see over your shoulder.  They can actually see more this way!

Getting your child into your baby backpack carrier can be scary, though, and that’s why I love this video from Sara aka Ivy’s Mama.  In it, she shows us that getting your toddler into that back carry is actually fairly simple .  She demonstrates two way to do the “hip scoot” for back carries.   The first one is what I consider the “standard hip scoot,” and is most likely to be the one you will use over the long run.  The second one is a little bit more work but is perfect if you are feeling nervous about getting your toddler on your back – it has a little bit less fear factor to it.

So if you’re looking for back carry instructions, or just some inspiration to start wearing your carrier again, check this out!  These instructions will help you do a back carry with a Mei Tai like the Kozy Carrier or the Ball Baby Mei Tai and with buckle carriers like the ERGO baby carrier, the Pikkolo and the Beco Gemini baby carrier.  If you have the Beco Butterfly, you won’t need this!

Tune in early next week  for another baby carrier instruction video from Ivy’s mama, which shows you how to make getting into a backpack carrier so fun, your toddler will be begging you to do it again!

P.S. Isn’t little Ivy just the cutest?

Your baby carrier can help you prevent your child from getting sick.  And if s/he does catch a cold or the flu, your carrieris a great tool for helping both of you through it!

Baby carriers can help prevent illness

One of the lesser-touted benefits to wearing your child is that people are much less likely to touch or get close to your baby while you are wearing them.  While it may have seemed that everybody and their mama was willing to touch your belly without permission when you were pregnant, the standard personal distance rules seem to get reasserted as soon as the baby is out.  So people who would be likely to peer into a car seat or stroller (coughing, sneezing, touching and otherwise bringing unwanted germs near your child) are much less likely to get up close and personal with your baby if they are snuggled up on your chest.  So your baby carrier helps you to keep some distance between your child and potentially contagious well-wishers.

You are also much more mobile and flexible while wearing your child, and can move, turn or easily cover her head if someone does come too near.

If you have an older child who is sick, wearing your baby in a sling or carrier will make it easier to keep them away from toys and surfaces that your older child has had contact with.

What babies and kids want when they are ill

It’s not possible (or desirable) to prevent all colds and inevitably, your baby will get sick sometimes.  And when they do, they want one thing: to cuddle with you!  Any mama who has ever had a sick baby (all of us!) has had the experience of the baby who cries every time he is put down or the toddler who whines and follows you around unless you are snuggling together on the couch.  At these times, your baby carrier can save your sanity!

Many of us stop using our trusty carriers as our children get older and more independent, but don’t forget about babywearing when your toddler  (or an even older child) wants to be nowhere but on top of you!  Dust off that ring sling or your ERGO carrier from the back of the closet-it’s an invaluable tool for giving your child the TLC they need when you need to take care of other things.

Added bonus: wearing your little one close to you when they are sick, can also help you monitor any fever or other symptoms.

The Sling Lady’s favorite baby carriers when your child is feeling less than their best

The keyword here is snuggly!   If your little one is feeling bad, they want to cuddle up with you.  You still need to get things done, so your baby sling is the perfect tool for freeing up your hands while cuddling with your child.  For an infant or young baby, we love stretchy wraps like the Moby Wrap and the Wrapsody Stretch baby wrap.   Both of these carriers are super soft, stretchy and provide cuddle galore.  You can tuck your baby inside or leave arms and legs out.  Since they are two-shouldered, you can carry your baby for hours without taxing your body too much.  And it’s easy to pop baby in and out of the carrier without much adjustment.

Ring slings are also great for cuddling, especially if your older baby or toddler prefers to be carried on your hip.  If you need a two-shouldered carrier, we love a mei tai like the Kozy or Ball Baby mei tais.  Mei tais are sleek and comfortable feeling, without buckles and tons of padding that can feel bulky.

What are your favorite carriers when your little one is sick?

Have you made a New Year’s resolution to get fit or exercise more?  Did you know your baby carrier can help you keep it?

A huge number of parents of young children want to get in shape, or at least exercise more.  Having a new baby or young child in the home can make finding the time seem extra challenging.  The good news is, your baby carrier is a great tool for helping you reach your goal!

How your carrier can help you exercise more

1. A baby carrier makes it easy to spend time with your child WHILE exercising, so that you don’t have to choose between the two!  Most babies love the combination of closeness and motion, so chances are, they will love being included in your exercise routine.

AND

2. Babies add a functional weight to your workout. The heavier they get, the more resistance.  Adding a 15 lb baby to your usual walk, hike or other gentle fitness routine ups the impact of every movement you make.

What kind of workout to choose while while wearing your baby

First of all, you only want to do slow and easy exercises while carrying a baby, so keep that in mind when choosing your workout.  Even a regular walk can turn into quite a workout when you add in hills and the weight of your baby!  You can also do any exercises that keep you in an upright position, such as squats, and upper body workouts using an exercise tube (rather than weights).

What carriers to choose while working out with your baby

Choose a carrier that is very secure and truly handsfree so that you don’t have a moment’s anxiety about your baby’s security.  Also choose two-shouldered carriers so that the baby’s weight is evenly distributed over your body.  Our favorite carriers for workouts are: mei tais, wraps and two-shouldered buckle carriers.

Do you work out with your baby? What has been your experience?

New babywearers often ask me for recommendations for one carrier that can be used from birth to toddlerhood, that can be used in any situation for any length of time. They say they only want to buy one carrier, so it needs to last.

My answer? Baby carriers are like handbags. Yes, it’s entirely possible to own only one bag, which you use for every outing and any activity. But the chances are, you own at least one other handbag in addition to your daily purse (or diaper bag). Perhaps it’s an evening bag, that goes with your little black dress and is just big enough to hold your cell phone, lipstick and credit card. It might be a gym bag. Or a backpack for when you need to take a lot of gear and you want something big enough to hold all of it that won’t tire your shoulders out. Some of us own handbags in every possible shape and color, so we have the perfect bag for any outfit and any occasion.

Baby carriers are much the same way. It is entirely possible to own only one baby carrier and use it for every outing and occasion. For some people this is a pouch or ring sling, others prefer a two-shouldered carrier like a mei tai, buckle carrier or wrap. Which carrier is your go-to carrier varies so much from person to person, just like handbags do.

Say you start out with a ring sling with your newborn. Rings slings are easy to use and you like the simple, no-fuss aspect of them. This works great for you for the first several weeks, but you are finding that your little one needs to be held ALL THE TIME, and you are starting to get some soreness by the end of the day, especially as your little one gets heavier. So you get a Wrapsody Stretch wrap, and it is heavenly! Super comfy and supportive and you can breastfeed in it hands free. Plus you can wear it for hours with no discomfort at all.

As your little one gets older and you move out of the honeymoon phase, you start getting antsy to get more things done. You’d like to be able to put him on your back, and plus, all the fabric of the Wrapsody is driving you a little nuts in the parking lot at Target. So you get a Kozy carrier mei tai, so you can put little one in a high back carry as well as a front carry. The Kozy is super supportive and less futsy than the wrap.

As little one gets older and starts wanting to be up and down a lot, you go back to using your pouring sling more often, for the simple, fast hip carry it provides. Then you have a wedding to go to, your sling doesn’t go with your dress, so you get a Sakura Bloom ring sling in silk to accessorize your outfit (or cover it up!).

Then you take up hiking and don’t want the straps of your Kozy dragging on the ground, so you get an ERGO baby carrier. You love how fast it is to get on and off, and how it takes the weight off your shoulders and puts in on your hips.

And just like bags, it’s always nice to have a baby carrier just right for the beach and pool (water wrap) and one that rolls up compactly that you can leave in the glove compartment just in case (pouch). Not to mention one that doesn’t clash with your purple and yellow striped sweater!

And just like bags, you CAN wear just one.  If I were to recommend just one single carrier to take you from birth through toddlerhood, it would have to be the Beco Gemini.  Just make sure it’s in a fabric you’d want to wear to a wedding!

If you celebrate Christmas and you’re experiencing some post-holiday blues, you’ll love this!  After all, we’re technically only on the 5th day of Christmas, right?  Anyways, I enjoyed this take on the 12 Days Of Christmas, from the Jay Leno show which ran earlier this month.  Babywearers everywhere should enjoy the 8 maids bit. (Warning, these videos are slightly raunchy, with references to marijuana, drag queens, and multiple piercings, but it’s all in good fun. Still, if that’s not your thing, take a pass!)

The setup: Adam the Page is out to seek the 12 Days of Christmas gifts for Jay.

and the grand finale:

The best part?  Not a Bjorn in sight!  I spy several ERGOs and at least one Maya Wrap ring sling,  though!

Happy Holidays!

I’m really excited about the new Flip&Tumble bags we’re stocking over at Carry Me Away.  These bags are so darn cute, and super handy to boot.  They come in a whole rainbow of colors, and they roll up into a cute little ball that you can tuck into your diaper bag, purse or glove compartment.  The bags fit a lot more than you’d think, and make great carrying bags for any of our baby carriers.  I don’t leave home without a few in my purse!

How can you get these nifty little items?  Well, you can purchase them directly OR  OR you can take advantage of CMAs new promotions, where every order over $100 get s a free bag, and orders over $150 get two!  Keep them for yourself or use them as gifts  that anyone would love.   Details on how to get your freebies here.

In honor of Veterans’ Day, I’m re-posting this lovely story and set of pictures we originally ran in July 2010.  Thank you to our Veterans for all you have done and continue to do for us.

From Michelle, AirForce wife and mom to Liam (2.5) and Ben (1) comes this sweet photo story  of how using a baby carrier got her through some stressful and many sweet moments reuniting with her husband on his return from deployment in Afghanistan.

My husband came home today after 7 very long months in Afghanistan. The airport wouldn’t comply with letting me back to meet him at the gate. Thankfully I had a carrier with me to help wrangle my 1 and 2 year old boys, both of whom were sick.

Trying to convince US Airways:

The Sling Lady thanks Michelle, her husband and all those serving our country at home and abroad.

An oldie but goodie.  I posted about the hilarious home page to this Japanese baby carrier site over two years ago, but it still makes me laugh every time!  Roll your mouse over the slings and watch the babies pop up.  Is there something wrong with me that I can do this over and over again?

Check it out: http://www.reginbabysling.com/?gclid=CKizkvLOmpcCFQsspAoduTdI9w

I get so many fabulous photos from customers at Carry Me Away (my baby carrier shopping site) and from Sling Lady blog readers, that I’ve been thinking about how to showcase them for everyone to see!  The result: this new occasional feature – Real Moms and Dads Wear Their Babies.  In it, I’ll be featuring reader photos (including some of our contest entries, past and present) to show off all that creative babywearing, not to mention those beautiful babies!

First up, the photo that inspired me to get off my bum and create this series: Kel, who traveled all the way to the Great Wall of China, with her baby, her husband and her Beco Baby Carrier!  The Beco Gemini and other buckle carriers are our number one recommendation for best carriers to travel with, and this picture is the perfect illustration.

Kel writes:  Well, we just got back from China, where we used the Beco Gemini as our primary carrier, and a pouch sling as a secondary one. It worked wonderfully! When we were at the Great Wall, Ella got grumpy, but turning her to forward facing in the Gemini cured it instantly. Turns out she just wanted to look around too!

Thank you for the photo inspiration, Kel!

Readers, I’d love to see your photos! You can upload them to our Facebook page, or send them to me directly at theslinglady@carrymeaway.com  Please let me know whether it’s okay to post on them on the blog!