(This post is the third in a series about choosing and using a woven wrap. See Part 1 here and Part 2 here).
Today's post contains "everything you need to know" to make a secondhand wrap purchase. Some benefits of buying secondhand
Some risks of buying secondhand
Where to buy secondhand If you have an active local babywearing community, you may be able to find a wrap you like for sale within your community. Many local babywearing groups allow buying/selling/trading of carriers in their Facebook groups. You might also be able to find a secondhand wrap at a consignment sale or even listed on your local Craigslist. If you cannot find one locally, there are many online options for buying secondhand.
Basic buy/sell/trade group guidelines and etiquette:
Buying a new wrap is great and buying secondhand can also be lots of fun! However, if you are more of a do it yourself type, stay tuned for the next post, about making a DIY wrap.
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(This post is the second in a series about choosing and using a woven wrap. See Part 1 here).
Once you’ve determined that you want to use a woven wrap and you start to learn about the different brands available that might be good options for you, you will need to know where and how to get one. The options for buying a wrap come down to: new, secondhand, and DIY. Today, we’ll talk about buying a new wrap. There are some advantages to buying a new wrap. One is that you know it will be in new condition - no stains, tears, pet hair, fragrances, or any other surprises. Another important benefit (to both you and the economy) is that by buying you are supporting the small business that sells these wraps. While you can find a few brands of wraps on major online retailers like Amazon, most new wraps are available from online or brick and mortar specialty stores. Small businesses like these are an important part of the babywearing world. Often, these small business owners are quite educated about the wraps they sell, and will be happy to answer your questions about their products. The customer service is excellent! Here is a small sampling of the growing number of stores that offer several brands of wraps (and other carriers, too) and are known for excellent customer care:
Many of these stores run regular sales and/or have a discount for signing up for their newsletter. If you are not in a rush, consider following their Facebook pages and waiting for a sale. It is important to note, however, that if you wait for a sale, you may find that the wrap you decided you want (and the size you need) is out of stock at that vendor. So, you may need to be flexible about which wrap you want if you are a bargain hunter! You can also buy many of the wraps discussed in part 1 of this series direct from the manufacturer Stay tuned for the next post, about where and how to buy secondhand! (This blog post is the first in a series about choosing and using a woven wrap.)
So you want to buy a wrap. You have decided you love the versatility and comfort of wrapping, and you want to dive right in. But if you Google “woven wrap” you are overwhelmed with the number of options and do not know where to start. So many photos of sweet babies and curious toddlers, and wrap designs ranging from rainbows, to hearts, to Harry Potter, to flowers, to soccer balls and so much more. How can you choose? Many people (though certainly not all) appreciate starting with a wrap with non-repeating stripes, a change in color from one rail of the wrap to the other, or some other feature that allows one rail to be easily distinguished from the other. This can help people who are new to wrapping keep track of the how the wrap is moving around them while wrapping, and also can assist in guiding proper tightening throughout the wrap. As for a fabric, many people choose (and love) 100% cotton for their first (or only) wrap. There are other fibers and blends available, each with their benefits and drawbacks, but in general, cotton is a wonderful beginner fiber. Here are some brands that are known for their striped wraps or different rails. If you have a favorite wrap company that fits this description and isn’t listed here, please share it!
There are stripes in many different colors and widths, from the brightest rainbow, to the most subtle greys. You are sure to find something you like (hopefully it isn’t discontinued, or out of stock, or in transit - more on this next time). Another great option is to buy a solid color wrap, or make a DIY wrap some Osnaburg or other woven fabric, and then dye along one or both rails so you can keep track of them. Stay tuned for the next post, all about where and how to buy! 4/22/16 Adding links for the other segments in this series. Part 2 - where to buy a new woven wrap Part 3- where and how to buy a secondhand woven wrap Part 4 - how to make a DIY woven wrap One of the recent "trends" in the babywearing world is the fitness or dance class that parents participate in while babywearing. Keeping your baby close while working out with other parents sounds like a great idea, right? It checks all the boxes: fun fitness activity, socialization, baby is cared for. Your baby was accustomed to your movements throughout pregnancy, so it makes sense to dance with your baby after he's arrived. If this type of class sounds intriguing, then here are some general guidelines that you may want to keep in mind:
These are only a brief summary of things to consider. A qualified instructor may provide more guidance for your specific activity and body. Not all of these suggestions may work for every class, every baby, and every wearer, so trust your qualified instructor, and consult with your local babywearing educators if needed. Hopefully these safety suggestions help you enjoy the experience of moving with your baby! Yes, you are getting a workout but ultimately you are sharing a special time with your baby and connecting with him through movement. Have fun! (This post was written with input from Shayna Rose of www.ShaynaFitness.com.) The is one of the most common questions about babywearing. It's a natural question. You want the BEST for your baby! You want to know what will be comfortable for you, what the baby will like best, and you do not want to waste time or money on a carrier that doesn't work well for you. The short answer? It depends! It depends on a number of things. And those things are so specific, that what is best for you and your baby may be very different from what is best for your friend and her baby. So, personal recommendations (or lists of "BEST baby products") are often not very helpful The long answer? The best carrier (for you) is the one that fits you, fits your baby, and fits your wearing needs. So how can you figure out what will work best for you? The usual answer is trial and error, whether that is through trying things out at a private consultation with a professional educator's guidance, trying out carriers from a local babywearing group's learning or lending library, or purchasing a carrier (or two, or three, or more) on recommendation from a friend and hoping it will meet your needs. Who has time for that!? You can be more efficient by thinking about how you might answer these questions:
After answering these questions, you can narrow your options considerably. The best strategy will still be to try on some different carriers, but considering your answers above will help guide what are likely to be good options for you. |
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copyright 2016 Beth Secrist All photos used under the Creative Commons license through Flickr. Photography by: littletuesday12 |