The Front Wrap Cross made easier

Lately, I figured out (took me a while, blame it on sleep deprivation) that I can do the first steps without baby: laying across my belly and crossing on the back and over my shoulders to have the long ends (tails) coming down the front over each shoulder (see pictures on previous post). Then put baby in the pouch and proceed with crossing the tails over his bottom, under his legs and to the back to tie the knot. Some of you probably picked up on it just by looking at the step-by-step on the previous post and thought "Why is she doing it that way?". Oh well, that's how I learned and I didn't question it. This simple change makes it 100 times easier! I was already used to it but still thought it a little intimidating for the novice wrapper. No more! Anyone can do this and it is so good for us and our babies! Babywearing rules!

How to tie a Front Wrap Cross

This is my first of several posts on how to actually use the wrap. If you buy a wrap from my store, it comes with instructions on your basic carries. However, the beauty of woven wraps is the great variety of carries that grow with you and baby and allow you to always have the perfect carry for each situation.

Now, I will tell you that when you first see the step-by-step you may think this is hard. It does take some practice to do it fast and achieve the perfect fit everytime. I will also tell you that even if it took you 10 minutes to tie your wrap everytime (which it won't, I now do it in less than 5) it would still be worth it for the hours of comfortable wearing that you get out of it.

I am still learning myself and have only tried some of the carries that are suitable for my baby who's only 2 months old (i.e carries that provide good back and head support). As he grows I will try different things and continue to post them here.

This is one of the first carries I mastered and still the one I use the most and can count on baby sleeping everytime. It is called the Front Wrap Cross.

First, find (roughly) the center of the wrap. The easiest is to always fold the wrap starting with a half fold lenghtwise so when you unfold you know that the last fold is the center. However, I find myself unwrapping baby and leaving the wrap in a bunch until I use it next time so the other way I figured to locate the center is to hold the wrap up and adjust until I find both sides dangling down are about the same size. For reference, I'm about 5"1' and my wrap is a size small, recommended for up to 5"4', so this should not be hard to do even if you're short.

Holding baby against your chest (it may help to lean back just a little) lay the center of the wrap over baby's back (hold the wrap under your arms). You can keep baby's arms and legs (in a froggy position) inside like in the first picture with a younger baby. It's important to keep arms in if head support is needed. As baby gets older you can have one of both out like in the second picture. That's how I wrap my baby now.

Bring your left arm behind your back to grab the end hanging on your right to bring it over your left shoulder.

Repeat on the other side.

Make sure you hold the fabric flat and not bunched up or twisted. This will form the widest possible "X" on your back for ultimate support and carrying comfort.

Bring the piece of fabric hanging from your right shoulder under baby's left leg. Bring the fabric from your left shoulder under baby's right leg.
You should now have a wide seat under baby's bottom and if you have the desired snug fit, holding the ends now holds baby securely. It is important that baby's leg are spread so that knees are slightly higher than bottom. This is to ensure proper spine support and hip alignment.

Bring both ends behind your back and tie a double knot.

Done! Enjoy some snuggle time with your baby!
Baby's arms can be inside (for newborns) or out (for older babies with head control). You should also spread the fabric over baby's head for more support for newborns or a quieter place to sleep for an older baby. Tiago now enjoys the configuration in the second picture with arms outside and some fabric over his head for support when he sleeps and also so I can have my hands free and not worry about his head bobbling.

Here comes the Sun!

Looks like it is finally (really) Spring. It is sunny and 80 degrees outside. Going to the park for a picnic snack this afternoon with my mom and boys.

I am also going to take some pictures outside for my first post on how to tie the wrap step-by-step (it will be Tiago's favorite carry). I am sure you are wondering how it is done, so look for that post tonight (or better yet, follow the blog so it reminds you to come check it out).

See you later.

My babywearing story

I carried my first son in one of the most popular carriers on the market (the type with straps and buckles). While it was great for quick sessions, it wasn't comfortable to wear for a long time (such as during a whole nap) and I had to give it up when he was 5 months because my back couldn't take the weight anymore (about 15 pounds). So I continued to struggle trying to get anything done while the baby took a 30-minute nap (after trying to make him fall asleep for an hour).

When my son was 1, we spent 5 months in Vancouver (Canada) and I noticed many moms wearing their babies in fabric wraps. Fabric wraps have no straps or buckles and evenly distribute baby's weight across your sholders and your whole back making them extremely comfortable for both mother and baby to be wrapped for long periods of time. I thought to myself: "Next time, I'm going to wear the baby all the time!"


And here I am, wearing 1-month-old Tiago in his Ellaroo, his favorite place to sleep during the day. He normally falls asleep as soon as throw the fabric over him :)

I became so excited about babywearing and fabric wraps that I decided to bring quality wraps to as many moms as I could and spread the joy and benefits of babywearing! Visit the Babywearing Store to get yours!

First post (very creative title)!

Why do I post and what do I post about you may ask. Well, I have a almost 4-year old son and a 7-week old son and I am on maternity leave so... I post about children, babies, life with children and babies and other child and baby related subjects.

One subject I am especially passionate about and you can expect a few posts on it is babywearing (carrying your baby, then later your child, close to your body in a baby carrier). In fact, I am so passionate about it that I tried several carriers and picked one to sell in hopes to bring the joy and benefits of baby wearing to moms around the world. Thus there is a babywearing store where you can buy my baby carrier of choice, the Ellaroo wrap.


I hope this to be a fun experience for me and for anybody that comes to visit. That being said, I officially declare this blog to be inaugurated (I break a virtual champagne bottle on it)!