Wearing My Baby

When I spent a few months travelling in South America, I saw so many lovely things. Exotic animals, the rainforest, coffee trees and mountains. One of the coolest things I saw, however, was the women of Ecuador and Peru carrying their babies everywhere they went. And they worked while they did it – baby strapped tightly to them with a colorful fabric.

I wish I had bought one of those baby carriers. It could have dubbed as a tablecloth for a few years. But luckily “babywearing” here in North America is becoming a wonderful trend. We are now doing what cultures around the world do. Cultures that simply don’t have Graco travel systems or the fancy sport strollers that I see taking over my Plateau neighbourhood.

As I type this, my baby is sound asleep on my chest. She spends the bulk of her days (when she’s sleeping) this way, most often in our favorite carrier, the Maman Kangourou wrap. There are a million reasons why “babywearing” is beneficial.

I have a couple of other baby carriers that were passed down. A couple Snuggly-typed things, a Maya Wrap ring sling, and a Maman Kangourou pouch, but our Maman Kangourou Stretchy Wrap works best for us.

But there’s something that might take over as my favourite. While my mom was here on the weekend, she splurged on a Skin to Skin T-shirt for me and the baby. I thought the price was ridiculous ($60) but this little black T-shirt was just about the coolest thing I’d ever seen. And I’m not usually one to refuse a gift.

Made here in Quebec, the Skin-to-Skin T-shirt allows mamas to carry their babies skin to skin (or not, it’s your choice) right in their shirt.

All I could think about it how incredibly convenient this would be when I’m out –  no need to tie on the wrap.

And the shirt is also a breastfeeding top to boot.

Unfortunately, I stumbled upon this late in the game, as the shirt will only carry a baby up to about 15lbs. But you can be sure we’ll be getting use of it at home and out on the town for the time being.

Maybe even at a wedding or two this summer. A little black T looks much classier than a big brown stretchy wrap. And there’s no way I’m carrying her around in a car seat all night!