Why I wore my first and why I will wear the next

It's been a while since I've posted about babywearing. Mostly because I just wasn't doing it nearly as much and then once I hit around 20 weeks on the preggo calendar, we stopped because I was having back issues (pregnancy related... not from babywearing!) So as I sit here (not so) patiently waiting for my little Katie to arrive, I am thinking about all the snuggles I will get to have with my newborn in a sling.

When I was expecting Benny, I had registered for a stretchy wrap not because it was suggested to me or because I had done a ton of research, but because when I saw the picture of the baby safely tucked up next to the mom, it just made sense to me. I had never heard of "babywearing" and I don't think I had ever even seen a sling, wrap, or mei tai. But something inside told me that this was an important part of all the baby gear that I should be buying.

When Benny was born, I had a difficult time bonding with him. I cared for him and made sure he was fed, changed, rested and clothed, but I didn't feel that connection that everyone talks about. I knew that I had to do something, so I took the advice of Dr. Sears and spent as much time with my baby as possible. This is where the wrap came in. With Benny safely secured to my body, I had to spend time with him. We began to understand each other's rhythms. I was able to read his cues quickly because I was always there to witness them. Lo and behold, one day I picked him up after a nap and WHOOOOSH! I felt it!!! I felt that rush of emotion and that connection with my baby. Babywearing was a key part of getting there and I am so grateful for it.

When Katie arrives, I know that babywearing will be a big part of our lives. Not only does it aid in the bonding process, but it makes life so much easier. I can already see myself watching Benny running around on the playground while Katie is snuggled up on me. I'm really good at breastfeeding in public in a sling... I can feed my baby and shop for groceries at the same time! I won't have to lug the big baby bucket car seat around and set her down on the ground far away from me. She will feel safe and secure because she will be close to mommy's heart.