Ergobaby's new 360 carrier causes 'front facing' backlash

        According to ERGOBaby's website in July 2013, facing a baby forward: “will compromise its basic capability to regulate stress reactions, which in the long run can become detrimental to mental and physical health”. A few months later, and they release a four-position Ergobaby 360 that encourages the use of a forward-facing carry.

It hurts my back just to look at it.

        What is most shocking about this FAQ Ergobaby had on their site, is that it was removed just a few months before the 360 carrier was announced. I'm sorry to call them out on their blatant hypocrisy, but this isn't some new scientific study they have found that proves a forward-facing carry is healthy or even comfortable for you and your child.
        Ergobaby's new FAQ reads:

In the past you have championed the idea that children are subject to a great deal of distractions/overstimulation when carried "facing out". How can you reconcile this with your previous philosophy? Are you not sending mixed messages to parents?

We view the front-outward position ('facing out') as a supplemental option for short, active periods and not as the primary carrying method over multiple hours. Now and again, situations arise where parents — and children — prefer this position. Naturally, there is a greater risk of overstimulation than with the 'facing in' position, since the child cannot actively turn away. Yet on the other hand, the ergonomic posture ensures very close body contact that allows parents to actively perceive the signals their children are giving. Parents know their children best and can tell when their child is fussy, tired or "zoned out" and it is time to switch to the 'facing in' or back carrying position. As a manufacturer of comfortable, ergonomic carriers, we want to offer parents a choice of all options for ergonomic carrying. Our goal is to encourage and embrace all parents to wear their babies for as long as possible by giving them a comfortable, healthy way to do so. Additionally, by giving parents who insist that their carrier have a front-outward option a choice within our product line, it allows us to communicate with them about overstimulation in all of the activities and products that they choose for their baby. We are hoping that this will make new parents more educated about all of the situations that can lead to overstimulation and make them more attuned to baby's cues that she is overstimulated.

        Which only proves more-so that they are sending mixed signals to parents. This is a very poor marketing strategy on Ergobaby's part, although I understand that there is a demand for a deeper seat in a FF carry, there is also a demand for more Elmo toys and that doesn't mean that it is making your experience with your child better or safer. 

        I fear that this new carrier is a prime example of what we in the babywearing community call a "crotch dangler". Bjorns and other similar carriers are what we call crotch danglers. The baby is being dangled by his or her crotch which is a position that is at best uncomfortable for mom and/or baby but at worst can cause problems with your baby's hip and spinal development. I guess I should clarify, it is a bad idea to wear your baby facing out all the time or for long periods of time. However, as a parent you alone get to choose the products you will use with your baby and gauge their safety yourself. I, personally, don't find a forward-facing carry to be comfortable and much prefer a high back carry or even a ruck tie when using a wrap.

        Ergobaby also answers other FAQs about their new carrier such as:

What do midwives and baby wearing consultants have to say about Ergobaby's new Four Position 360 Carrier?

Is the Front-Outward position ergonomic for the baby?

How do I know if my baby is ready for Front-Outward facing position?

There is a belief that only the 'facing in' position puts children in the anatomically correct spread-legged sitting position. How did you resolve this problem?

As a parent, how do I decide: What is better for my child, facing in or facing out? And how can I know?

Is the new Four Position 360 Carrier safe?

Which you can find at the Ergobaby site.

Babywearing Dads

        More and more on my babywearing groups and social media, I am seeing beautiful photos of fathers wearing their children. However, iStock Photo still only has images of a mother babywearing in their archives. The more positive recognition that babywearing itself receives the more comfortable people become with it, such as it's association with the recently trending topic of attachment parenting. 
        Personally, I never saw any reason not to babywear once I discovered its benefits. Benefits such as promoting closeness and calmness with both parents equally, nine months in the womb nine months skin-to-skin, and even advanced healing properties. However, some mothers and especially fathers seem to be uncomfortable with wearing their baby in the view of the public eye. Some parents worry that a baby who is constantly held or worn will become a fussy baby, always crying for attention. Actually, the opposite seems to be true. In cultures where babies are constantly in the arms of caregivers, infant crying spells are virtually unheard of. A study in North America showed that babies cried less when parents were instructed to wear or carry them for several "extra" hours each day.
        As with most aspects of parenting, you can meet some pretty unsavory opinions on whether or not you're thinking about your child's safety. Which, I'm willing to bet that most of you are each and every minute. Babywearing is not a danger to you or your baby if it done correctly and with the right amount of preparation. Like with all things, only in moderation and with proper instruction.
        I think the movement of babywearing becoming more prominent in fathers of modern day is a wonderful message of how our children will treat their own children.
        Here is my own babywearing husband with our daughter Lily:

        Here are some other awesome babywearing dads that prove there are good men out there, from one of my favorite Tumblrs, Babywearing Dads:

'Frozen' In My Tracks

        Since Frozen is being released on Netflix this week (a million children just squealed simultaneously), I decided to dedicate an article to this latest crazy train that moms around the world have jumped on.

        When I was a little girl, princesses were all the rage. Nowadays, the rage had turned into a feeding frenzy. With the 2013 release of Disney's Frozen, the princess-centric Disney culture seemed to be fully revived to the days of Cinderella and Belle. A few months later, and Disney stores literally cannot keep Frozen merchandise on the shelves. The demand is so intense, many parents are willing to dive to "Black Friday-esque" depths in order to please their children. 
        My opinion is that Disney has been reaching for the original princess movie audiences of yesteryear with recent anti-princess films such as: Brave, The Princess and The Frog, and Tangled. I also think that Tangled has hit closest to the mark as far as compelling their market. But Frozen seriously has hit it out of the park by appealing to all three children movie markets: parents, little boys, and little girls. The family and sisterly love theme of Frozen definitely drew the parents in, Olaf the Snowman seems to be a huge hit with little boys, and hardest to please of all, little girls are absolutely obsessed with Elsa and Anna. 
        So, what isn't there to love about Frozen? Not much. As a stay at home mom to a three month old, I've already watched it about ten times of my own accord. I know I'll regret it when she finds her attention fixated on some kind of singing zombie princess movie that Pixar churns out in 8 years. But until then, I'll just keep being a big ole' kid... or princess, rather.
        My mom-session with this kids' movie is not limited to simply watching it on a loop, I have dreams... Dreams that one day there will be a Frozen wrap that I can babywear with. In case you're looking to make me one and be eternally loved by me, I think this print would be awesome:

        Or, at least I could grab a Natibaby in Magic Carbo and customize it myself... so many options!

        And, Tula just released a Woven Wrap and Wrap Conversion in "Elsa"! How perfect!

        I also happen to be sucker for modern songs turned into lullabies. It's a simple change that new parents will thank their ears for, and luckily they've already done it the Frozen soundtrack:

'Frozen' soundtrack Lullabies

The Moby Wrap Vs. The Ergobaby Wrap

        A good wrap/carrier should fit like a good bra, at least that's always been my opinion. Where as an over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder comes in different cup sizes, a wrap comes in many lengths.

There are three factors that you might consider in choosing the size of your wrap:
1. How you plan to use your wrap (e.g., which carrying positions you want to use)---this is by far the most important consideration;
2. Your size (height and weight)---this can play a role depending on #1; and
3. Your baby's size---surprisingly, this hardly matters at all. It's a good thing, too, because babies tend to change size rapidly.

        My very first baby wrap was a Moby, gifted to me at my Halloween-themed baby shower, and it was definitely my most-used present as I discovered the joys of babywearing. After using the Moby for Lily until she was three months old, I then found the Ergo baby wrap. 
        The main difference between the two is that the Ergobaby Wrap has a "4D stretch" material (explains the 5% spandex that Moby does not have) which is a sort of extra layer over the front of the wrap that will be up against your little one. I have heard that this extra piece of material makes for a better seat than the Moby, which means no hassle of repositioning and rewrapping. However, it is always in how well you wrap that provides a sturdy seat for your baby. 
        The weight limits of both wraps end around 35-45 lbs making them pretty equal in that respect. Both wraps claim to "grow with your baby", a definite plus for the economical mother.
        Overall, I much prefer the Ergobaby Wrap for my 11 pounder, since hug hold is her absolute favorite and she sleeps longer in the Ergobaby wrap because I don't have to unwrap and rewrap when I'm wearing her around the house.

Moby Wrap in action!

The Ergobaby Wrap:

•  The right amount of stretch makes it easy to tie right.
• Doesn’t sag throughout the day from baby’s weight.
• Moves in every direction with you and your baby.
• 95% Cotton, 5% Spandex
• Machine washable

The Moby wrap:

• Perfect for babies 8-35 lbs
• 100% natural cotton
• Machine washable
• Encourages parent/child bonding
• Adjusts to grow with your baby
• Petite and plus size friendly

I have provided several links for you to find your wrap, buy, and use it so please make use of them!


The Babywearer Chart of Wrap Styles w/ Lengths

Where to buy the Moby Wrap

Where to buy the Ergo Wrap

How to tie the Ergo Wrap (Newborn)

How to tie the Moby Wrap (Newborn Hug Hold)