a soft-structured carrier.

Random women I don't know, several times a week:  What kind of carrier is that?

Me:  This specific brand is a Boba but the style is a soft-structured carrier.  Maybe you've heard of the Ergo; it's a popular brand.  It is just as easy to wear on my back and she usually hangs out on my back when we are home.  I love it.

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That's my current babywearing spiel in a nutshell.  And, seriously, I dispense my little nutshell on a regular basis.  Babywearing is not the norm around here -- unless you are my friend because I have great friends like that -- and these mamas have a genuine interest in learning how I wear my 7 month old with such ease.

If you are one of those mamas........

I introduce to you my much beloved and well-used Boba, a soft-structured carrier (SSC):

If you are thinking, "But my Baby Bjorn was so uncomfortable" think again.  Bjorns are crap carriers.  I said it.  They are crap carriers and in no way, shape or form anyway related to a good SSC.  Babies dangle from their crotches in a Baby Bjorn's narrow little seat but a SSC's wide base makes a comfy seat for baby to sit in a natural hip-flexed position.  Comfy for mama (or daddy!) and for baby.  Seriously.

SSC are good for babyhood through toddlerhood.  I am every bit as comfortable with Henry on my back even though he is 2 years older than Liza.  They might seem spendy at first but if you plan on wearing your baby at every chance, it is well worth the money.

The chest strap:

Can you tell the strap moves up and down on a little fabric track?  I really like that because the placement of the chest strap depends on whether Liza is on my front or my back.

The hip strap:

It's big.  And, that is a good thing when you wear a big baby or a toddler.  The hip strap is designed to sit on your hips which is key to evenly distribute baby's weight.

The sleeping hood:

 

When Liza was smaller, I questioned the necessity of the sleeping hood.  It seemed gimmicky and unnecesssary.  I was wrong.  Very wrong.  Now that Liza is big enough for her head to flop back while sleeping in the carrier, the hood keeps her little neck in the proper position.  It also serves to limit distractions in her line of sight as she falls asleep and is a signal to her that it is time for a nap.  Summer is breezing it's way into our area and the sleeping hood has done a great job of keeping the sun off her face on long walks.

*Please note this is not a review of the Boba, a company which has never heard of me or my blog and is is in no way affiliated with this post.  I am simply breaking down the elements of soft-structured carriers and I happen to own a Boba which has brought nothing but joy to my life.

This is the first post in a series all about babywearing.  Like cloth diapers, I think babywearing can be intimidating and the amount of information overwhelming.  Have a specific question?  Let me know and I'll try to help you out. 

Do you wear your baby or toddler?