With it being International Babywearing Week and all, I decided to take a look back at my babywearing journey thus far. Going Mom and I proudly started wearing Avery just weeks after she was born and haven’t looked back sense. Well, besides figuring out that our first carrier, the Baby Bjorn, was not an ideal option for parent or baby.
Luckily, I had the opportunity to try carriers from Onya Baby and Ergo Baby that they sent to me for review. You can read my review for the Onya Baby Outback here and the Ergo Baby Ventus here.
I still use both carriers with Onya being my go-to choice. I keep the Ergo on the car to use when we are out and about. I’ve mentioned many times on the benefits of wearing your baby, and would urge anyone to wear their baby as much as possible.
What started as a tiny, squishy baby pressed against me in a carrier, has transformed (and still going!) into a lively, albeit heavier, baby that I still wear every day for our afternoon walk. I know the time will come when she becomes too old/heavy to be worn, but that’s still a way’s away.
In celebration of International Babywearing Week, I wanted to post some of my favorite babywearing pictures with Avery. Hope this motivates you to get outside and wear your baby with loving pride!
First day as a stay-at-home dad. My new briefcase is always just hanging around….Bundled up for a cold walkOkay, nextGahhh! I’m wearing her all wrong!!Mommy-daughter loveDaddy kisses in the ErgoI can see!!Color-matching and mowing….win!!Family walk with Avery taking a nap.Elevation training mask + babywearing = not impressedGood to know my baby has my back!Petting the neighborhood ass.How to “wear” in style in Texas.Is it really just a “selfie” when you have your baby too?Great view.Splash pad in Fort Worth with the family for my birthday!Will someone please stop him from mowing?!
I tried to keep these somewhat in order. Hope you enjoyed the pics and are ready to go wear your baby if aren’t already.
Yesterday, Avery and I made our usual two store grocery trip to Sprouts and Costco in hopes that we won’t have to go this weekend. We live only a few miles from the Texas Motor Speedway, and since it’s race weekend, driving anywhere is worse than most days.
Since we don’t head out until after her morning nap, I some work in the kitchen to tend to. I try to make Kelley’s meals in bulk so I am prepared for a few days out, so I readied four ready-to-be-grilled bean and goat cheese sandwiches. Sometimes, I wonder why I don’t make one for myself…..
Oh yeah, because I’m more of a roasted beet, Brussels sprouts, and garlic kind of guy.
I could find something to do/cook in the kitchen all day, but Avery makes sure that never happens. She woke up from her morning nap with loud moans permeating the baby monitor. She was in an area the monitor couldn’t capture, so I went in her room to see what all the fuss was about.
How a sleeping baby is able to roll around and get their leg stuck in the slot of their crib, I haven’t a clue. Luckily, she didn’t hurt herself and seemed fine once Daddy was there with a camera in her face.
I liberated our daughter from her self-induced leg restraint and gathered everything to head out. Our first stop was Sprouts, as usual, and the urge to use the restroom suddenly hit me while perusing the aisles. Damn multiple cups of green tea and coffee!!
As I stood at the urinal, I looked down at Avery in the Onya Baby Outback carrier and tried to keep her from letting out any random cries as she generally does. Why she has to fuss as I hopelessly stand at a urinal, no clue. But, as I tried my best to offer soothing words, I paused and realized what I was saying might be taken the wrong way considering my location.
Then I thought back to the countless times before when I was wearing Avery and had to use a public restroom. “Crap” (not literally), I thought to myself, “Anyone in the restroom at the same time must really be questioning what they heard from me!” I know if I were in a stall and heard some guy talking in a soothing, coo-like voice, I wouldn’t come out until I knew he was gone.
So, I listed the top ten things a dad should never say while wearing their baby and using a public restroom. And if you’re wondering, yes, I have said all of these to Avery. It’s a surprise I’m still allowed in these stores!
To help you see things from my perspective.
Don’t worry, you’ll get bigger. (I said this to Avery when her head couldn’t see over the carrier.)
Well, hello there.
Uh oh, I need to get you a burp cloth.
Daddy won’t take long.
I’m so proud of you!
What do you see up there? (This is when Avery is looking up at the ceiling.)
Mommy is going to be so happy to see you!
Please stay still so I can finish.
Are you hungry?
If you’re good, we can play with that new toy at home.
Yeah, needless to say, I’m going to be more conscientious about how I word things when talking to Avery in a restroom.
Baby wearing dads, have you ever said anything to your baby while wearing them in a public restroom?
I don’t know how the baby wearing moms deal with this issue, but if you have any good stories, please share!
Baby wearing is a daily occurrence for Avery and me, and I don’t know how I’d be “Going” anywhere but crazy without it. Since Avery was 2 weeks old, I’ve only used the Baby Bjorn carrier to wear her everywhere. Long walks, store trips, and chores around the house have all been in the Baby Bjorn…..until now!
The very kind Diana from Onya Baby agreed to send us their Onya Baby Outback carrier to use and review on this blog! I first gave news that we’d be getting this carrier for active parents in this post. The Outback was provided to me free of charge, but all thoughts and opinions will be completely my own.
I can’t explain how excited I was when I first spoke with Diana and she agreed to send one. Now that we have the Outback, I’m anxious to go everywhere with Avery while wearing our new “ride”!
I wanted to capture the “Active Parents” part.
Here is a description and list of features on the Outback directly from Onya Baby:
Whether you’re out with your child wandering the urban jungle or hiking with them in the hills, the Onya Baby Outback offers a new approach to the soft-structured carrier. A durable, water-resistant, rip-stop nylon exterior and air-mesh lining makes it perfect for hot weather or hiking the trails. Parent and child will stay cooler with the air-mesh lining, which wicks away moisture leaving you both comfortable. It can be worn as a front-pack or backpack, and comes with an integrated seat that will fit almost any chair – for when you’ve decided to take a break for lunch and the restaurant doesn’t have a seat for your little one.
• Rip-stop nylon body and air mesh lining
• Patent-pending integrated chair harness with safety strap
• Tuck-away sleeping hood
• Low-profile shoulder straps
• Contoured low-profile, supportive waist belt
• Sternum strap for adjustable comfort
• Double-entry, side-zippered koala pouch and patch pocket
• Seat darts for child’s comfort
• Leg padding for baby
• Toy loop on each shoulder strap
• D-ring for attaching key clip (key clip not included)
• Safety-tested to 75 pounds
• Machine washable
• Instruction manual
Since she’s still pretty young, Avery has a bit of growing to do before it has a better fit. But until then, Diana generously provided a “Baby Booster” for smaller babies. I already tried Avery both with and without the booster and can tell it helps to have it in right now. Avery appreciates the extra boost too!
Although a review is the main thing I will write after using the Onya Outback for a while, I will be posting frequent updates along the way. Since part of our daily routine is going for long walks, I plan on providing daily or weekly time/miles spent in the Onya Outback along with any notes.
Hello, World!
Also, be on the lookout for posts about exercise routines using the Onya and possibly doing different types of home maintenance inside and out. What I am really looking forward to is taking Avery on a nice trail hike. The Onya Outback is made for hot weather and hiking and I’ll be sure to make use of its features often!
Today, after putting Avery in the Outback for the first time, she was a little fussy, but eventually calmed down. She calmed down so much, she fell asleep for 40 minutes! When Kelley got home, we took it for a test run walk for about a mile and so far I’m impressed! The initial setup was a little difficult, but it’s easy to get used to quickly.
After our walk
I’m saying goodbye to the annoying weight the Baby Bjorn put on my shoulders and hello to the comfort of the Onya! Make sure to check back frequently for current updates on where I’ve gone with Avery in the Onya and my thoughts.
I want to thank Diana and everyone at Onya Baby for being so gracious and giving me this opportunity to review their premium baby carrier!
Are you a fan of baby wearing?
What’s your favorite carrier and what do you look for in one?
An at-home dad on a mission to keep it real when it comes to food, fun, and raising a healthy, happy family.
