Bottles, Bottles, Bottles!

Let's talk baby bottles. Believe it or not, I have no intention of promoting or recommending any specific brand of baby bottles (though I will share what I've found). Instead, I want to discuss what baby bottles are made of, and what material is the safest. There are a million different brands and styles of bottles out there. From the shape of the bottle to the nipple, it really doesn't matter what you choose, as long as you find something that works for you and your baby. 

However, I think it is safe to say that the majority of bottles out there are plastic. And you might think it is okay since the bottles are BPA free. Well, as a user of plastic bottles for the first 6 months of Luke's life, I can guarantee you that I will never use a plastic bottle again after all the research I've done. I used the Medela bottles that I pumped directly into, and I used plastic Avent bottles also. I used both until I stopped breastfeeding/pumping, and when Luke started taking more than 5 oz at a time, then I used the larger plastic Avent bottles exclusively. I liked both and still have no problem with either of them, except that they are plastic. So yes, they are both BPA free, but now studies are saying that the substitute used in place of BPA, referred to as BPS (Bisphenol-S), is likely to be just as toxic, if not worse. 

We know that BPA disrupts hormones, can lead to cancer, metabolic disease and heart disease, but BPS might even be worse as it takes longer to degrade, so likely stays in your system longer. This post by Maia at Gimme the Good Stuff explains it well, and here is an article that was recently published explaining it a little. 

So the take home point here, is to AVOID plastic at all costs, and NEVER, EVER, EVER heat anything up in plastic (as it causes the toxins to be absorbed into your food/drink at a much quicker rate)! I realize it is impossible to avoid plastic completely, but switching to glass bottles was not difficult at all for us. Glass, along with stainless steel, or silicone bottles are much safer options. There is limited data to support or not support silicone as a safe product, but either way, it is definitely safer than plastic. 

Avent

When we finally made the transition, we purchased 2 of the small glass Avent bottles, and now have 6 of the large glass Avent bottles. 4 was enough, but Luke stays over at my mom and my mother-in-law's frequently, sometimes they get left behind, so I got a couple extra. I actually got the larger ones on Amazon for $7 a piece, when they dropped in price (they are usually $9.99), and I got one or two at a time so I didn't feel like I was spending as much at once. Not only are the glass bottles safer, but they will last forever too! Any glass bottle will do, no need to worry about the brand, as long as it works for you.

Avent sleeves

Some argue that glass bottles are too heavy, and yes they are heavier than plastic, but Luke never really caught onto feeding himself, so it wasn't a problem for us, as my big Mama muscles did not have a difficult time holding up the heavy 8 oz bottle while I fed Luke ;).  You might also argue that the glass bottles might break if thrown or dropped. Well I can tell you, that I've dropped a few on the kitchen floor, and they're all still in one piece! You can also buy silicone wraps for glass bottles to protect them from breaking, or get the Avent wraps for their glass bottles, which I only recently found out exist!

Lifefactory

Also, Lifefactory bottles come with the silicone wraps on them already. These are more expensive than Avent bottles, but I do have one of them and like it a lot. Plus, they have sippy cup caps that fit on the bottle when you are done with the nipple and have graduated to a sippy. 

Kid Kanteen

Stainless steel is another option (one that we've never tried because the glass works for us), and Kid Kanteen has a great option, although they are quite a bit more expensive. As usual, they are available on Amazon, though I have not seen them in kid stores I usually shop (Target, Babies R Us). 

Comotomo

Finally, silicone bottles are still a better option than plastic, and are much lighter in weight than glass if that is an issue for you. I've tried this 8 oz bottle by Comotomo (available here on Amazon) that I like, and they are really cute. The silicone is soft and flexible, and Luke was able to adjust to the nipple immediately, though I continually had an issue with the bottle not allowing enough air to escape despite the nipple/lid being screwed on as loose as possible, and there being two air vents (still like the bottle, but still prefer glass). There are other silicone bottles out there (Gerber makes some too). 

I hope this information helps you make a safe, yet realistic decision. If you're lucky, you won't even have to worry about bottles for a while if you're breastfeeding, but even most Moms that breastfeed have to bottle feed at some point, so this is something that applies to pretty much everybody.

With (BPA & BPS-free) Love,

Claudia :)

For the Love of Babies: Save Your Ca$h and Don't Buy This Stuff!

When I started compiling a list of products I loved, which I think I initially did because my sister, Ryan asked me to, I also started a list of things I found to be completely unnecessary. My mom says to me all the time "You know, we didn't have all this stuff when you were little and we survived". While that is true, a lot more mothers stayed at home 25-30 years ago (no, we are not going to discuss what age I will be turning later this year) and were not juggling a family and a full time job. Plus, who wants to turn away the conveniences and luxuries afforded to us these days? 

What I've determined though, is that some of these 'conveniences' or 'luxuries' are soooooo helpful and worth it, while others are just downright ridiculous. Okay, maybe they aren't all as ridiculous as I'm making it seem, but they definitely aren't necessary. So save your damn money, don't clutter up your house (huge problem in our home), get the stuff you really really need, and then a few of things you really really want. 

I know there are some people who will swear by these things, which is why I always say that what works or doesn't work for me might be totally different from you, but I thought I would at least share :).


PeePee TeePees: Most baby boy penises are not big enough to hold these up, and any parent knows that they certainly don't stay still long enough for it to do its job. I tried it once and never used it again. I'm actually not sure why I haven't thrown them away, I guess they’re cute and I was trying to give it a chance. Seriously though, throw a wipe on top 'til you can cover the little guy back up with a diaper, be quick and you won't get peed on :)

Wipe warmers: Seriously? Okay so I actually considered this when Luke was tiny because he would always startle when I wiped his butt with room temperature wipes...but ya know what, he got over it! Save your money and space!

Burp cloths advertised as burp cloths: The majority of burp cloths that I came across that were actually advertised or called burp cloths were awful. They either weren't absorbent, didn't lay flat, etc. See my Registry Must Haves post for info on the my favorite kind.

Diaper cream: As a pediatric nurse caring for extremely sick and fragile babies and children, I've come across some incredibly sore, excoriated/bleeding and painful bottoms. In my experience, putting ANY type of white (often zinc oxide) cream on these sore bottoms is a mistake. Whether it be Calmoseptine, Balmex, Desitin, Triple Paste, Boudreaux's Butt Paste or any other similar cream, I avoid it! Sure, they work as a preventative barrier, but once there is any skin breakdown/rash, I've never seen these products work well. Poop just ends up getting stuck in the cream, and you work/scrub harder to get the poop off (cause you definitely can't leave it there), that you end up causing further damage to the skin or perpetuating the rash. Some of my amazing coworkers and friends introduced me to a product that actually works, so check out my Registry Must Haves post.

Crib bedding: I'm not attacking any specific brand or type of bedding here, but let's break this down....You have a crib and a mattress (hopefully), then you throw a mattress pad on there to protect that mattress from all the pee and spit up, then you put a cute crib sheet on that mattress. Now you're done! You don’t need a crib bumper or baby quilt/blankets for the crib. Sure if you want the set to help 'decorate' the nursery, fine. But seriously, save your (or someone else's) money and just find a couple crib sheets you like, the rest is unnecessary and even unsafe. I have two crib sheets, and I’ve never felt like I needed more, but I’m also a frequent launderer.

Breastfeeding pillow/positioner: These days there are a bunch of differently shaped pillows advertised to help position the baby during breastfeeding, but what I discovered, is that the easiest, cheapest and most convenient thing to use is a regular old pillow! Save your money and just use what you already have, sure Boppys definitely come in handy for positioning the baby when they’re immobile, but not necessary for breastfeeding.

Still With Love,

Claudia ;)

Scrub-A-Dub-Dub...Safe Baby Soap in the Tub :)

Let's talk about what type of baby soap and shampoo is the safest to use. We know that baby skin is more sensitive and delicate, but did you know that baby skin is more porous than adult skin, and therefore less protective, allowing for the absorption of chemicals into the baby's system (this article explains a little)? This is exactly why using the safest, least toxic baby soap and shampoo is so important. 

                                             

When I registered for my baby shower, I added a few different types of Johnson & Johnson baby soaps to my registry, and even received some extra in gift baskets. Their products are arguably the most popular, familiar and unfortunately, most trusted baby soap out there. What most people don't know, as I didn't until I took a look at the ingredient label and did some research, is that their soap contains some very harmful ingredients. Now, they have gotten better, but it's still not good enough. This is where I recommend again you head over to Gimme the Good Stuff for an explanation of the danger of these ingredients (they mess with hormones, are linked to cancer, etc...). 

What I found most shocking, is that one of the ingredients they use in many of their products, is called Quaternium-15. This is a preservative that releases formaldehyde! Seriously? And I actually used this on my baby's skin? I don't know about you, but this sickens me. 

I think I only used Johnson & Johnson's original baby soap/shampoo once, and I haven't touched them since, only to analyze the ingredient list. I took these pictures myself, to show you that this scary ingredient is listed right on the back of the bottle (Quaternium-15), this is their original baby soap and baby shampoo (if you click on the picture, it will enlarge a bit so you can see the ingredients...lots of bad stuff!). 

  
















Thankfully, there are lots of safe, non-toxic and easily accessible baby soap and shampoo out there! Of course, I buy whatever deal I can get on Amazon, but there are a few extremely safe baby soaps that I've been using ever since that first formaldehyde bath (I realize I'm being a bit dramatic, but come on, you agree right?). 

The first one I tried and still use is called Lafes Baby Shampoo and Gentle Wash. This is a foam wash, which suds enough for me to feel like I'm washing Luke well enough, though it doesn't really lather, and I do use several pumps for each bath. It has a fresh, clean smell, and I have been very happy with it. This is a 12 oz pump bottle, on their website for $10.99. Now you have to pay $6-8 in shipping, but after I think $30 shipping is free. I get mine on Amazon, for around the same price, sometimes a little less, but usually $9-11 (with free prime shipping of course). So this comes out to about $0.92/oz, but because this is a foaming soap, it lasts forever. I honestly think I used it every other day for 4-5 months. Another plus, this company donates 1% of its profits to breast cancer research :) 

The second baby soap I've tried and have been using now for a little while, is Babo Botanicals Moisturizing Baby Shampoo and Wash.  This soap smells fantastic, and suds and lathers really well. I can wash Luke with two little squirts. You can get this on Amazon right now for around $10-11 (with free prime shipping), so an 8 oz bottle comes to about $1.38/oz, but it's not a foam, so it won't last quite as long. So you won't get quite as much for your buck, but if you want something that feels more like a sudsy baby wash, this is it. On their website, the 8 oz bottle runs $14, so Amazon is definitely the way to go. 

California Baby Products are all great and very safe, and they are available all over the place, but some of them can be a bit pricier. However, I've also found decent deals at Target or Amazon. The Calming Shampoo & Bodywash on the California Baby website runs $11.49 for an 8.5 oz, which gets you $1.35/oz (which is actually less than the Babo Botanicals), and on Amazon, I found the Calendula Shampoo & Bodywash for $21.49 for a 19 oz container, which is only $1.13/oz, which isn't too bad. You will have to pay shipping on the California Baby unless you spend $75 or more. 


The last baby wash I sometimes use, and feel safe about using, is The Honest Company's Shampoo & Body Wash. It smells great and lathers nicely. You can purchase them straight from their website (either individually or in a bundle--which is what I do, since I use several other of their products), or now you can get their products at Target! The 8.5 oz bottle runs $9.95 which is $1.17/oz, so it's right in line with the other brands. 

Again, Amazon's prices fluctuate, so I throw lots of things in my cart, and check it frequently, and when I see that it drops in price, I'll get it then, so you may even be able to get some of this stuff cheaper. 

Babo Botanicals, California Baby and The Honest Company all have safe bubble bath too. Bathtime should be a safe and happy part of your routine, and using these products gives me the peace of mind that chemicals aren't being absorbed into my baby's body, but still give me the fresh, clean and yummy baby smell :). 

 


                                                  With Love,

                                                          Claudia

The Sisterhood of Motherhood....Please watch!

This is so true. 

We have to support each other no matter what. 

That is the bottom line. 

The sisterhood of motherhood. 

Love it!

My Registry Must Haves!!

These are a handful of products that I absolutely love and could not live without (yes, I know...not having these products=first world problems). Okay, fine...they just really make life easier and more convenient. This is definitely not an all-inclusive list, just some random things I found to be so helpful the first few months of Luke's life, and many I still use, obviously you will still need the essentials (bottles, diapers, etc...). These items are in addition to the baby wrap/carrier and bottle brushes I discussed in previous posts, which I also consider necessary! (I've linked the products to the title for convenience!)



Car Seat Cover: Great for cold weather or the rain, especially since you can't put a heavy coat on the baby underneath the car seat straps. This is the one I have, which I loved, but there are lots out there. You can get this one on Amazon for $25-30 but you can definitely find others out there for a little less. 

Car Seat Arm Cushion: Car seats are heavy as a...well they're heavy, especially with a growing baby in them. This cushion on the car seat handle really helps soften the blow to your arm. Again, there are many that would work, this just happens to be the one that I used, and as usual, I got it on Amazon for $12-13. 

Backseat Mirror: So some might argue that this is a safety hazard, but it really doesn't worry me too much (picking my battles here). I've been using this Britax one, which has horizontal and vertical straps to secure it, and for me, the sheer convenience of it made it worth it. I can look right in my rear view mirror and see my babe. The position and angle is adjustable, so it's just great...I hated not being able to see his face before I had it, and I will be using this until he's forward facing! Again..got mine on Amazon, $14-16. 

Stroller Organizer: This is super helpful if your stroller does not come with a cup holder/pockets, and this one fits on most strollers. This is the Britax one I have, and it sells on Amazon currently for $23-24.

Diaper Bag: I've only ever used one style, but I can't get enough of my Petunia Pickle Bottom boxy backpack diaper bag. I purchased it (with a 20% off coupon and a bunch of gift cards) from Pottery Barn, but they're available straight from the website, and you can also find decent deals on Amazon. They are pretty pricey, but I plan on using mine forever. They come out with new prints frequently. It has a shoulder strap, but also back pack straps which is really convenient. They run anywhere from $150-200. Also, a friend of mine had purchased hers though Pottery Barn, and had a bad spill (grape juice or something) in the bag, couldn't get the stain out, and Petunia Pickle Bottom replaced it for her...what amazing customer service?!

Diaper clutch: I got this one from the Honest Company, but any little zip pouch would work. This is great for when I don't want to take Luke's entire diaper bag with me somewhere, and I can throw it in the stroller or my own bag. It'll hold the essentials (diapers, wipes, burp cloth, bib, extra outfit/onesie and a toy or two). 

Pajamas: You might think pajamas (or in our house..jammies or jam jams) are just pajamas, and any will do. Well, one of the BEST pieces of advice I can give you about these babies (advice originally given to me by a fellow mama, my friend Sarah), is to ONLY buy ZIP-UP pajamas until your baby is sleeping through the night. Unless you enjoy spending a ridiculous amount of time trying find the right snaps or buttons when you're finished changing the baby in the middle of the night, in the dark, when you are dead tired and delirious, then you will listen. I didn't realize this until I already had purchased some button up jams, and we ended up only wearing them during the day. I tried a button up once at night, and vowed to never subject myself to the torture again. Maybe I'm being dramatic, but come on...I promise you, you won't regret it. I love Carter's, so I have tons of theirs, but any old zip-up will do! 

Burp Cloths: These were far and away my favorite burp cloths, and boy did we need burp cloths. Luke stopped spitting up around 7-8 months and it was magical, but for the first 6 months or so of his life, I feel like we swam in spit up. We went through these like crazy. Luke even was endearingly awarded the nickname, "Pukey Lukey" for a little while there. These are the OsoCozy unbleached brand, but basically what you need are the pre-fold cloth diapers. This is what makes the best, most absorbable and and easy to use burp cloths. The ones linked to this description are really thick (not a bad thing, but there are thinner ones which are also nice). I also used them as changing pads around the house to protect my furniture/floor from the inevitable puke and poop :)

Swaddlers/Blankets: A few big, fluffy blankets are great for keeping your newborn warm, but the best swaddle blankets are Aden & Anais. They are my f.a.v.o.r.i.t.e. They are soft, big, lightweight and breathable, not to mention, adorable. They have a bunch of different prints and types of materials, and they're all great, but my favorite (and the softest) are the bamboo. They're available all over the place, and a three pack of the Bamboo runs $44.99, but on Amazon, sometimes, they're cheaper...I JUST bought a pack for a gift for only $30! (Prices on Amazon fluctuate a lot, so I'll watch things and grab them when they drop in price). 

Hands-Free Pumping Bra: I'm not even going to tell you which one I bought, because any will do, and I really don't remember (it's packed away in the back of Luke's closet). They are available at Babies R Us, Amazon, and lots of other places online. Really, all you need is a bra with two little holes in it. I honestly thought of making my own at one point, I was so desperate. I had to pump very early on, and I felt like I was glued to my pump, and for those of you who have pumped without a hands-free bra, know that it incapacitates you. This may very well be one of the greatest inventions of all time. Suddenly, I had two extra hands that I didn't have before, and I could multitask (change a diaper, bottle feed the babe, or play on my phone which at least passed time). 

Sound Machine: There is some research out there suggesting that white noise is better than any other type of sound machine (whether it be lullabies, nature sounds, etc...) because it lacks any discernible pattern (Thanks Sarah again for the tip on this one). Even when you are asleep, your brain can identify patterns and prevent a good, deep sleep. So a white noise machine is a great choice, and we are addicted to ours. This is the one we have, and we highly recommend it. Here is a link to an article if you have any concerns about the noise level causing damage. They do run about $50, but it is worth it. I have no idea if this has anything to do with how good of a sleeper Luke is, but I'm not willing to take the chances...we will be using this for a looooong time.

Play Gym: This is (very similar to) the play mat/gym that we used, but really any one would work. This was my saving grace from 3-6 months when I needed to quickly get things done, he didn't want to be restricted to his swing, and I couldn't throw him in my wrap/carrier. It really kept him occupied, entertained, and promoted tummy time! Plus this one folds up so it's easy to transport! You can find these at lots of baby stores, and run anywhere from $20-50. 

Drying Rack: Looove me some Boon Grass! What is great about this drying rack, is that you can dry all kinds of things on it past the bottle/nipple/breast pump stage. I use it for drying baby silverware, sippy
cups, straws, etc... And the accessories are adorable and so useful! They sell a bunch of different flowers/branches that you can add for extra drying room (great for smaller things). You can get these on Amazon, Target, Babies R Us, among other places. There are a few different sizes, ranging from $15-25, the accessories are usually around $5. 

Snot Sucker: Eww, gross right? If you are easily grossed out, this may not be the best choice for you, but come on, just get over it, it's just a little snot. Plus it works so much better than the little blue nasal aspirators they give you at the hospital. Those things are impossible to fully clean, and fill with mold, so you really shouldn't use them for a long period of time. The NoseFrida is a nasal aspirator that works well, is easy to clean, and you provide the vacuum with your mouth that aspirates your babe's nose. There is a filter though that prevents ANY snot from coming anywhere near your mouth, I promise! Go get one now! They're about $15 and you can get them at Babies R Us and Amazon, among other places. (Just for giggles: The Sweedish company that makes these is hilarious, they also have a 'Windi' for colic and gas relief that goes right in the baby's bottom..pretty funny...check it out here). 

Butt Cream: Vitamin A&D cream is my absolute favorite and I swear by it. It was recommended to me by a few of my Mama friends and nurses who also swear by it. As a pediatric nurse caring for extremely sick and fragile babies and children, I've come across some incredibly sore, excoriated, bleeding and painful bottoms. In my experience, putting any type of white (often zinc oxide) cream on these tushies is a mistake. The white cream is good as a preventative barrier, but not once there is any rash/breakdown. Poop just ends up getting stuck and caked into the cream, and you end up causing further damage trying to clean the bottom. In Luke's 10+ months, I've not had to ever use any cream other than A&D. It's clear, thin, and works wonders. You can get it anywhere they sell butt cream. I've recently been searching for a less toxic or organic version of A&D that is affordable...I'll let you know if I find anything (meanwhile, I'm going with this until I do)! 


Hope this list helps, I'll be updating it and adding to it as I come across more things I can't live without :)

With Love,

Claudia

Safe Dish Soap and the BEST Bottle Brushes!

Dish soap is an essential household item, even if you are someone like me who likes to put EVERYTHING in the dishwasher (much to my husband's dismay), and I honestly think I've done more dishes by hand now that I have a baby, than I ever did before. So dish soap is something I use on a daily basis to wash Luke's bottles and nipples. I never really cared before, but as with everything else, I started wondering what was in my Dawn dish soap after Luke was born. 

First of all, I swear I can taste the soap (Dawn) even after rinsing the bottle really well, but secondly, and even more importantly, this is what cleans the bottles that have been and will feed my son for the first year of his life. I know you rinse the bottle out, but residue will still remain on the inside of the bottle that he then drinks out of 4+ times every day. 

Again, I will refer you right to one of my favorite resources for this kind of information, Gimme the Good Stuff. She explains how many of the commercialized dish soaps contain ingredients like phthalates, triclosan, sulfates and artificial dyes, which can disrupt hormones and have been linked to cancer, birth defects, obesity and autism. 

Many of the dish soaps out there that are advertised as being natural or safe, are actually not safe at all (like Mrs Meyers, Seventh Generation, etc..). I've tried a few of the truly safe and nontoxic types of dish soap, but my favorite and what I found to be the most accessible, is a brand called Eco Me. I LOVE it! I've been using their dish soap now for over 6 months and have no complaints. It suds just enough to make me feel that the bottles and my dishes are clean, but is safe enough for me to feel comfortable using it. My sister said the dishwasher soap works but only on lighter loads, for loads with a lot of grease and grime, you may need to use something else. I currently use The Honest Company's dishwasher packs for my dishwasher, and so far so good, I don't have any complaints and most of their products are safe and nontoxic. 

Eco Me comes unscented and in a few mild scents. They do carry it at some grocery stores, but the easiest place I've found and purchased it is either from their website or on Amazon (surprise, surprise!). On their website, it runs $5.99 for a 16 oz bottle which isn't too bad, but the shipping is pretty high ($11 in shipping for a $6 bottle....ridiculous!), and only gets higher the more you purchase. I've purchased it on Amazon for anywhere from $4.99 to $7.99 including shipping, which is much more reasonable to me. I totally get that you're going to likely pay $3-4 for the same size bottle of Dawn, but here is where you are paying for quality. You can use a dish soap full of toxic chemicals, or you can use one that's slightly more expensive yet still not unreasonably priced, and a hell of a lot safer for your baby. 

Have I convinced you yet? If not, at least let me share with you my recommendation on a related product...my FAVORITE bottle brushes! Even if you don't bottle feed, you will probably need a bottle brush at some point (great for cleaning breast pump parts and sippy cups down the road). I've tried several different ones, and there are two that I swear by. 

They are essentially the same, just two different brands, and one is a bit flimsier and about a dollar or two less expensive, but they both get the job done. 

Munchkin

Dr Brown's

Dr Brown's is one of the brands, and it is available at Babies R Us and Amazon for usually $4.99 in an assortment of colors. It has the removable end that serves as a nipple brush, but I never use it. The bottom end serves as the nipple cleaner, but I don't use this as the top squeezes into the nipple. 

The other brand is Munchkin, which I've found at Target and again on Amazon for anywhere from $2-4 in also several colors. This also has the removable nipple brush, but just like Dr Brown's, I never use it. The Munchkin brand is less expensive, but I find that it is slightly lower in quality, though I still very much like them. They are often on sale at Target for even less too!

I will say that I hate any bottle brush with hard bristles, because I don't feel that they scrub well enough inside the bottle, but both of these have soft bristles. Just be careful, because both brands have more than one style brush, often referred to as 'deluxe', but those are the ones with the hard bristles. I do change mine out every so often as you will see some wear and tear, and then just for cleanliness sake. And as a disclaimer, I have been searching for a reasonably priced nontoxic bottle brush, and have not had much luck. You will see that I definitely pick my battles, this is one of them. Honestly, this is a process for me too, so when I find one I love I will be sure to let you know!



Thank you so very much for
reading, if you have any
questions or comments, 
don't hesitate to ask!

With Love,

Claudia

Thank God for Baby Wearing!

Babywearing goes waaay back in time, and all the research will tell you that it will result in a less fussy, happier, and healthier baby, not to mention it frees up your hands so you can be more productive! Plus, who doesn't want to snuggle and be close to your baby? 

I like the Babywearing International site for some quick facts and information on babywearing. 

Now there are a LOT of different types of carriers, from wraps, slings, pouches to buckle carriers. I own three different ones, and I am going to focus on the ones I know, but that's not to say there aren't other great ones out there, this is based on my experience. The reason I haven't really tried others, is because I found two that I love, so I didn't feel the need to keep searching for the perfect one.

Luke in the Ergo at the beach :)

Luke in the Ergo at the beach, but sick :(
(the only thing that kept him happy)

My experience started with the Moby wrap that was a baby shower gift from my registry. I heard they were great, so of course, I needed one! However, when Luke was a newborn, I attempted it, and was so turned off by the heavy, thick fabric, and the overwhelming size and length of the wrap. I actually remember balling it up and throwing it in the trash (I had JUST given birth, ok). Then I dug it out, washed it, folded it nicely and placed it in the back of Luke's closet. I went right out and bought an Ergobaby carrier, which I started using right away and LOVE. Now I still stand by the Ergo, and I absolutely use it, but for me it is more of an outside the home kind of carrier. It is a bit bulkier than a wrap, and can make trying to get things done at home a little difficult, but it absolutely gets the job done. 

Because the Moby turned me away from wraps, I focused on the Ergo. But when Luke was 6 months old, I accidentally came across a different wrap, probably on Instagram. This wrap was a much lighter weight material, it was softer, the colors were amazing, the ends of the wrap were tapered so tying the knot at the end wasn't so bulky. It also comes with a little pocket at one end for a pacifier or whatever, and another pocket that you can roll the wrap up into. 

These are my Solly wraps (pacific, ox blood, navy shibori, & natural and grey stripe). 

We were bathroom dancing to
"Shake It Off"
(one of Luke's favorite songs)!

It is a bit more expensive, but to me, it was worth it, and I knew it the minute I took it out of the box. I think it is safe to say that I am OBSESSED with the Solly Baby wraps. I own four of them now, and have been addicted to using mine ever since I bought it. Some argue that the material is too stretchy or it gets too loose, but if you tie the wrap tight enough, that doesn't happen. I've worn Luke for hours in his (even at his current weight 22 lb), and it remains tight without hurting my back at all (and I have a bad lower back). I've heard there are others very similar (Boba, etc...), but I doubt any of them feel as soft as the Solly (they use a lenzing modal fabric that is to die for--oh and you can wrap it up and wear it as a scarf--see link).


I love that I can put the wrap on before I leave the house, so I can slide Luke right out of his carseat into the wrap, and we're on our way. I've definitely gotten so much quicker at doing it, and am quite the pro now. I've had Luke in a wrap at a funeral (it keeps him warm, comfy and quiet during a graveside service), shopping, and on walks. He stays happy and content, rarely fusses, and it keeps us warm when we're outside in the cold. The other day we were at the Farm Show, and last year when I was pregnant, I remember seeing all of the parents pushing their babies around in strollers and not having enough room to get around, so I threw him in my Navy Shibori and off we went. We ate lots of yummy Farm Show food and saw some animals, and I was so thankful he was wrapped up next to me (forgot to snap a pic though). 

Cutting down a Christmas tree in the freezing rain at my Grandpa's Christmas Tree Farm, 
but we kept each other warm :)

My biggest regret is that I didn't have this wrap when Luke was 0-6 months, especially during that 3-6 month stage where he didn't sleep like a log all day long, wanted to be in everybody's business, but couldn't do anything for himself, so basically wanted my attention 24 hours a day...I really could have used it then. The wrap is intended for babies up to a year, or around 25 lb, but I will use it as long as it remains safe and comfortable. 

And unfortunately, I don't have any photos of us in the Pacific or Navy Shibori..I was wearing the Ox Blood around the holidays because it felt Christmasy to me, but don't worry, they'll come! And sorry, most of the pics are selfies so you can only see the top half of the wrap...I'll work on that too :)

 The colors on the site are a bit different than how they look in real life, so I recommend seeing her Instagram account for more accurate colors (they are BEAUTIFUL) but I highly recommend following her too (sollybabywrap), as she is one of my favorite people to follow on Instagram! Plus she gives lots of great tips and her tutorial videos are awesome!

I hope you find a wrap or carrier you love, and don't forget, when baby wearing, 

your baby should always be close enough to kiss :)

Thanks for reading!

With Love,

Claudia

P.S. Here are some recent photos of us at the Farm Show in the Navy Shibori...and then, just a cute one of Luke and Jared on the tractor :)