A Guide To Baby Carriers In Chicago

While many of the items on a baby registry are negotiable, a few stand out as must haves: a baby carrier tops the list. Moms and dads alike can attest to the wonders of wearing their babies in carriers – the bonding, the ability to go about life while being snuggled together, less crying, more smiles, the ease of moving around all the tight spaces and places. Chicago moms, especially, know all too well the challenges of navigating the city with baby in tow; strollers don't fit well on the El, at farmers' markets, the Taste of Chicago or even on city sidewalks most days. But with a perfect baby carrier, they don't have to.

As a Volunteer Babywearing Educator for Babywearing International of Chicagoland and mother of two boys who, as infants, were worn almost daily, I've been around the block {quite literally} with dozens of carriers. Parents usually express being overwhelmed with picking their perfect carrier, as it seems like the choices are endless. Here's a simplified guide to picking your best baby carrier as you carry your little one around to see the Chicago terrain.

1. Attend A Babywearing Meeting

Babywearing International of Chicagoland
groups.yahoo.com/group/BWIChicagoland
www.bwichicagoland.wordpress.com

DuPage Slingers
groups.yahoo.com/group/dupageslingers/join
dupageslingers.blogspot.com

Chicago and the suburbs boast numerous babywearing meeting hotspots. Two volunteer-driven groups host a number of monthly meetings throughout the area: Babywearing International of Chicagoland serves McHenry, Lake and Cook counties while the DuPage Slingers meet local DuPage parents' needs.
At meetings, parents will find safety information and a topic presented. They can receive one-on-one help with choosing and using a baby carrier. And caregivers may also borrow any of the carriers found in the lending libraries. The babywearing educators can then help parents locate a local or online store that stocks the chosen carrier.

2. Ask Yourself A Few Questions:

Comfort:

Just like most people need to try on shoes before buying a pair, most parents find it beneficial to try on carriers before purchasing one. Because no two bodies are alike, don't expect to automatically love the same sling your best friend cannot live without.

Picking a style:

There are five styles of carriers: mei tais, buckle carriers, wraps, pouches and ring slings. Several different brands make each style of carrier. The large array of choice often stresses out new parents as they seek to find the perfect carrier. Each carrier features different perks as well as vast levels of easy use. Likely, upon seeing a carrier in person, parents determine whether they are drawn to that style or not. Checking out carriers at a local store or babywearing meeting, often provides insight into which one mom or dad could see him or herself using.

Determine your need:

If you plan to carry a heavy baby or toddler or just want to wear your little one for long periods of time, likely you'll want to investigate carries that offer the wearer two-shoulder support, like mei tais, buckle carriers and wraps.

If you plan to carry a newborn, you'll likely want to check out carriers that are very supportive and easy to manipulate. Classic newborn carriers are stretchy wraps and ring slings.

If you would like to buy only one carrier to last during your entire stretch of babywearing – newborn through toddlerhood – you will likely find yourself drawn to buckle carriers or woven wraps.

If quick and easy is your number one concern, you'll probably welcome into your home a buckle carrier, pouch or ring sling.

Sharing the {carrying} load:

Mom and dad often want to share the babywearing love as well as a one carrier with each other and other caregivers. Mei tais are versatile carriers that feature only a slight learning curve. Moms and dads often find a mei tai fits a variety of frames well, while boasting relative ease of use, which tends to be important for caregivers who don't spend as much time caring for baby.

3. Buying Safe, Quality Carriers:

While the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance is working with ASTM to produce safety standards for all carriers, currently purchasing a carrier requires a buyer-be-knowledgeable approach. Group leaders and store owners are well versed in checking for quality and know which brands are reputable; they are quite happy to help new parents pick safe, quality slings.

Parents can, however, be proactive by testing to ensure quality stitching, making sure that seems are tight and checking various hardware for signs of damage.
*Carriers should be free of major fading, rips, loose seams or plastic rings on a ring sling.
*Carriers should not have a deep body where baby's face is buried in fabric
*Carriers should be able to be positioned so that baby's head is kissable, supported and baby's free and clear of any fabric.

4. Where To Buy Locally:

The following local Chicagoland stores carry three or more of the five styles of carriers:

Be By Baby
www.bebybaby.com
1654 W Roscoe St / Chicago, 60657
(773) 404-BABY

New Mother New Baby
www.newmothernewbaby.com
3115 Dundee Rd. / Northbrook, 60062
(847) 272-1500

Cutie Poops and Bottoms
www.cutiepoopsandbottoms.com
14910 S. LaGrange Road / Orland Park, 60462
(708) 873-4588

Hyacynth Worth is a Volunteer Babywearing Educator for Babywearing International of Chicagoland; she writes about raising boys, faith and all things motherhood at Undercover Mother.

{All pictures are courtesy of Babywearing International of Chicagoland and Undercover Mother}