Technically, you can do all the same carries with a toddler that you
can do with a tiny baby or a medium baby. But, wow, that kid is getting
big, isn't she? So, for example, if you were to do the front wrap cross
with baby in the cradle position, your big ol' toddler's long legs will
be sticking out in a silly-looking way. Now, if you don't care, neither
do I. Hey, whatever works for you. But if you think that looks goofy,
you might want to start nursing with baby in a hip carry.
You
can do all the same back carries, with minor variations for those long
legs (let them dangle at your sides instead of wrapping them around
your waist). If you find high back carries uncomfortable after 30
minutes or so, you can switch to a carry that distributes baby 's
weight to your hips. If your toddler is super huge, you'll probably
really enjoy the torso carries which put ALL of baby’s weight on your
hips. Wow, what a relief.
Not only is your wee one "So Big!"
physically, she's also maturing emotionally, and wants to have a little
independence -- as long as you're nearby. So, be prepared for "Mama
hole choo?" followed five minutes later by "don, peas". For this, it
helps to have a "poppable" carrier. Now, what's poppable for tiny
babies is not so poppable for a toddler. So, while a stretchy wrap may
be the ultimate in poppable for a newborn, uh, not so much for the
toddler. If you can have more than one carrier, I’d say have a fleece
pouch and a woven wrap. Baby can pop in and out of the pouch, but if
you need to carry her for more than 10 minutes or so, you can wrap the
woven wrap around you and baby and pouch for added support and a lot
more comfort.
If you can only have ONE carrier, I’d say make it
a wrap. You can always tie it on in the pouch position and just leave
it on, and then pop baby in and out. But when you need a comfortable
secure back carry – well, there you go. Just untie it and wrap baby on
to your back. This is especially fun to do in the food court of the
mall, especially with a gorgeous brightly colored wrap. Everyone stops
and stares. Babywearing exhibitionism – legal in all 50 states and
Canada.
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