When/Where are the meetings?
What kind of carrier should I buy?
There are pros & cons to each type of carrier, so it really depends on what interests you and your needs. Attending one of our meetings will give you the opportunity to see & try different types of carriers. We highly recommend becoming a member of Babywearing International so you can borrow different carriers from our lending library. BWI has a good resource here: http://www.babywearinginternational.org/what-is-babywearing/choosing-a-baby-carrier/ if you are unable to come to a meeting soon.
What SSC should I buy?
Soft structured carriers are like jeans. Everyone will have a personal preference for fit & cost. You can find SSCs from $30 to well over $100. We have several different brands of SSCs in our lending libraries which can be borrowed by members. Trying different SSCs before purchasing one can really help you find which one will work best for you.
Do I need a standard or infant sized carrier?
It is really important, especially with infants, to make sure the carrier properly fits the child. With SSCs, please follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and recommendations. A carrier that is too large for your infant will not provide adequate support to keep the baby positioned safely. We do not recommend purchasing a carrier that is too large for your child at their current size/weight.
How do I wash the carrier I borrowed from the lending library?
This information is also included on the handout you received when checked out the carrier.
A base size is the smallest size that allows you to do a variety of multi-pass carries, like a double hammock back carry or a front wrap cross carry. A wrap in your base size gives you a lot of flexibility in learning different carries. There is some personal preference involved, also. People who like long tails may prefer a longer base size. Whereas, people who don’t like tails may prefer a shorter base size. Your base size also increases as your child grows. Here is an excellent table that breaks down what carriers can be done with different wraps: http://www.babywearinghamptonroads.org/p/carries-by-size-woven-wraps.html
How do I break in my wrap?
The best way to break in a wrap is simply by using it as often as possible. Washing, drying, using wool dryer balls, steam ironing, braiding, running the wrap through sling rings, sleeping on top of it, & even sitting on it are other ways to speed up the process. Please do NOT use fabric softener and make sure you follow the care instructions as some fibers and blends require special care. Not all of these methods will be suitable for every wrap.