Babywearing: How I Got My Life Back

It doesn't get much more old-school than babywearing; the practice has been around since the creation of textiles. In its simplest form, mamas use a piece of cloth, similar to a scarf, to tie their babies to their bodies. It's been a traditional method of baby care in Africa, Asia, and South America for hundreds, if not thousands of years. For some reason, it's only recently been introduced to Europeans, though Native Americans and Mexicans have known about it for centuries. Sadly, most baby carriers on the market in America are, at best, fairly uncomfortable for both mom and baby.

There are tons of internet babywearing gurus out there who will tell you all about how wonderful it is for child development, and it really is fairly convincing to me. I, however, don't do it because of all the amazing developmental benefits. I do it because it helps me function in everyday life. I can do laundry, clean the kitchen, or whatever without having to stop every five minutes because someone is throwing a clingy fit.

And really, this is why moms have been babywearing for thousands of years. When you need to get your work done, and you can't afford a nanny, this is a fabulous alternative. I know exactly where my daughter is, I can respond to her needs quickly, and I can pay attention to my work. If she falls asleep, I can hear and feel her breathing, so there's no need for a baby monitor. Yesterday I did 5 loads of laundry and tidied up the bathroom with my daughter on my back. Before I threw her up there, she had been cranky and fussy, and refusing to nap. I put her on my back, and within 3 minutes she had settled down. Within 30 minutes, she had fallen asleep. And I got my laundry done (No, it wasn't diapers; for some reason, she never minds when I do that load). At the end of the day, I had a small puddle of drool at the back of my neck, a clean house, and freshly laundered clothes. What's not to like about this scenario?