Bringing Up Bella Eveline

Thrilled with the Bjorn, can't you tell ?

When I was registering for baby items, I was overwhelmed by the amount of choices that were out there.  Down to specially shaped Q-Tips for the baby’s ears?  Really?  To be honest, Keith and I came home from that first visit to the baby store with migraine headaches and had to lie down with iced washcloths on our heads.  Those stores will make your head spin!

As I went through my list of “must-haves” the topic of baby carriers came up.  Being naive, I asked “don’t you just hold them with your ARMS?”  Why would someone need a contraption to hold a child when you are born with two perfectly good ones?  Some of my girlfriends have purchased wacky ones with names I cannot even pronounce!  So, I succumbed to peer pressure and registered for a BabyBjorn, the fancy, lightweight/breathable one, in plain black.. so daddy could also wear it (probably when pigs fly).

 Now that Bella is here, however, I completely understand why you NEED these carriers.  There are so many times that you need your hands or you have to get something done, but your child wants to be nowhere but “ON” or “WITH” you.  Wouldn’t it be lovely if she would lie down quietly and take a little nappy or play with her dolly while you prepare dinner, but NO, not our angel.  Last night I found myself cleaning shrimp for dinner with Bella attached to the front of me.

Although we got the esteemed Bjorn, it was not always rosy actually using it.  In the beginning, when I was longing to get back to exercise, even if just walking, I would stick Bella in the carrier facing me and she would howl like a wolf.  Until she fell asleep.  Maybe it was the carrier, maybe it was the sun hat covering her face.  But either way, she was not a fan.  Needing something, I decided to purchase a “pouch”, thinking it was natural, fetal-position-ish, she’d love to be snuggled.  Not exactly sure WHOSE baby they measured the pouches for, or why they think an infant would enjoy being folded in half, but from the day it arrived at my house via UPS, I could not squeeze my tiny little lovey into it.  She acted like I was trying to smother her.  Out goes the pouch!  And even more recently, I was enticed by an advertisement on a designer retail website for THE BEST baby sling ever (so they say).  When IT arrived, I tried it and it actually seemed like something that would be useful.  I’m not sure where, but useful nonetheless.  As long as I ensured that Bella’s booty was secure and not falling through the bottom (as Keith noted on my first try)!  However, my “sling” makes me feel kind of granola.  Which I am not.  Clearly.  

 Now, we are full circle to yesterday, with take 2 of the Bjorn.  This time Bella faced forward, with the flaps folded BELOW her armpits.  Enough freedom to breathe and look around, but still secure to hold her bobblehead.  SHE LOVED IT.  We walked all around the neighborhood together and she even fell asleep.  I feel somewhat like a kangaroo, just not natural for me, but I guess this is what they mean by “taking one for the team.”  Apparently, the selection of carrier is completely personal preference – whatever works for you, whatever works for baby.  You have to be comfortable, but just know you WILL need SOMETHING.  It’s just a matter of which one.  If anyone is interested, I have several to spare.