This week is International Babywearing Week! Around the world, parents and caregivers are gathering together to share the joys that they have received from carrying their babies close to them. If you don't know much (or anything) about babywearing, let me take a moment to pause and introduce you. Maybe you know someone who could benefit from it, and if not, well, knowledge is still power!
Babywearing is a practice that has ancient roots in many cultures and is still widely practiced around the world. The world doesn't slow down around you when you have a child, it's quite the opposite sometimes, so the ability to take your baby with you and keep your hands free has huge benefits. In the babywearing community, we strive to give credit to those parents who have gone before us and paved the way for modern babywearing, so you will often hear talk about using correct terminology and respecting the cultures that brought these practices to us.
Try not to be too overwhelmed by all of the new lingo that babywearing will throw at you. You will hear about checking for T.I.C.K.S., different carrier types like mei tais, soft structured carriers and wovens, double hammocks, cross passes and a hundred other things. Oh, and did I mention that each of those things will come with abbreviations? Sometimes, the directions will be unclear and you will end up with fabric between your teeth, your baby hanging from your abdomen by a piece of cloth, and an utter feeling of defeat. We have all been there, where it looks like everyone else is speaking a foreign language and you will never catch on, so keep calm, take your time, and ask as many questions as you want! It gets better.
If you keep to it, it will all feel so natural to you that you will wonder how you ever struggled. You will be walking around the house tidying up or out for a walk with your partner holding hands and you will see that beautiful child of yours curled up on your chest or peeking over your shoulder to get a good look at the world and it will fill you with such joy and wonder that you will wonder that you ever did without it.
So, new babywearer, remember that we have all been there. Remember that some of us get caught up in the hype of a particular brand or carry. Remember that sometimes we get really worried about language and terminology because the babywearing movement tries hard to credit those who have worn their babies before us and not appropriate their culture. Remember that we have all felt completely overwhelmed by not just babywearing, but parenthood in general. If you remember all of these things, you can feel comfortable asking for help.
Looking for more information? Find a group near you! If your area isn't listed here, search Facebook groups for a group not associated with Babywearing International.
