Why I Wear: Arika's Story

Name: Arika
How long have you been wearing? Almost 3 years
What are your favorite carriers? Currently on a soft structure kick, but love them all!

I discovered babywearing when I was creating my baby registry and researching motherhood. I chose an Ergo Galaxy from Target. Little did I know the world of carriers that was out there! Looking back I wish I had know about BWI of GR. A ring sling would have been a game changer for my constantly nursing, only wanted mom baby.

I didn't wear her much until she was 4 months and finally fitting the Ergo with the blanket trick. Even then, we constantly were like, “Oh, we will carry her. We don't want to have to hold the carrier.” Fail. If only I'd known how much easier that trip to Ikea and the Red Wings game could have been!  

When I was about 6 months pregnant or so, a friend told me about BWI of GR and I went to one of the last Ecobuns meetings. It was cool. I watched ladies wrap. VBE Cassi was showing a few who asked how to nurse in a sling. I thought, “Never will I wrap or be able to figure out nursing in a carrier.” Oh, how things have changed!

Baby #2 lives in carriers and has from day 4ish. I need to keep up with my big kid and now keep my early walker (yup, even when living in carriers they learn to walk ;-)) safe and out of trouble! I nurse her in various carriers. I am learning to wrap and use each of the carrier types at one time or another.
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Babywearing has literally changed my life. We go where no stroller has before! My non-napping baby naps in a carrier daily. If baby gets hurt, toddler gets hurt or isn't listening—a carrier can fix it. I promote babywearing any chance I get and can't say enough good things about it! I am sad that before I know it I will have no littles to wear. I then will be a squish stealer just to wrap them up close for a minute or 20. :-) For now, I enjoy it as much as I can and will for the short few years I have left and—of course—spread the love if I can!

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