Baby Wearing // My three favorite carriers

So baby wearing, it's a big deal these days right? I am a MAJOR fan and not just because it keeps your baby secure and close and all the hippy reasons (haha) but because it is actually just incredibly convenient, especially if its your second (third, fourth, etc) baby. I don't know how I'd go anywhere with a toddler and a little baby without some form of baby wrap/carrier... my back, arms and sanity are very thankful for mine.

 There are not only a ton of carrier types but also many different companies within each type of carrier. I wanted to share my favorite three in this post (since people ask me about mine a ton!). But for more info on each type, check out this baby carrier guide on Babycubby. It's chock full of info with pro's and cons and just all around super helpful.

Here's what I use:

Solly Baby
This wrap style carrier is one of my favorite, especially for those early tiny newborn days. It's lightweight and breathable but keeps baby secure tightly next to your chest. Once you get the hang of it, its really easy to put on and adjust. I adore my solly and highly recommend them over the other wraps like this on the market. They have so many gorgeous colors and prints too, I just want them allllll. I use my solly almost daily (at home, on the go, everywhere) and if anyone asks which baby products I use the most, a Solly is the highest thing on my list.



Linen Ring Sling
I didn't have a ring sling with Beck which I actually regretted later so this time around I did some research and decided on making one myself. It took me awhile to get used to this type and I'd definitely say there is a learning curve with getting baby in there right and feeling comfortable with it. I had to watch a tutorial video for "threading" it like 100 times before I understood it but now its super easy. I like that the slings are quick to put on and take off and feel really secure. I also like that you can use them when baby gets older/bigger (and even with toddlers). It's also nice to sometimes have a wrap that doesn't completely consume your outfit, which may be a vain thing to think about but sometimes the wrap style is too much/not flattering with certain things I have. I based my sling on the dimensions of Wild bird slings (and maybe Sakura too) and followed a tutorial on Pinterest using 100% european linen.



Ergo baby
Last but not least, I use an ergo carrier. I like this for when I'll be moving around a ton (like hiking, etc) because its the most supportive, especially for the neck and head. It's also super quick and easy to put on so I keep it in my car for when I'm not carrying my wrap or sling. I also love that there is a head cover which protects from sun/rain/wind. I will say this isn't my favorite carrier for tiny newborn days but it is essential for later down the road and can be worn for years! I use the Adapt one right now but I have also had the original Ergo carrier and its great too. I didn't have a photo of me wearing this yet (oops!) but I'll edit later to include one.

And thats all I have as far as baby carriers! Like I said, I am a BIG fan of all of them and I don't think I can choose a favorite. They are all good in different ways. If you have any questions, leave a comment on my Instagram photo.

Be sure to check out the baby carrier guide on Babycubby that I posted up there. It's an amazing website--not just another baby store but a great resource for parents (they are parents, they get it). They carry some of my all time favorite baby brands and they also price match anywhere (even amazon) so you always get a great deal.

A few of my favorite things: Munchkin Diaper Pail

Babies + stinky diapers. It's a thing and it happens every day (or multiple times a day if you're Beck) and the older they get, the worse it gets you know? So if I had to pick the most practical and best baby gear item in Beck's room right now the Munchkin arm & hammer diaper pail would always win.
I am forever amazed that this thing can be full of diapers and even when you're standing directly over it there is no smell wafting out. It self-seals, sprinkles baking soda on top each time it closes and it actually works like its supposed to, which makes my life as a mom incredibly easier. 15+ months later and I'm still impressed with this thing!

I also love that its super plain and sleek, because lets be real, baby stuff can be pretty hideous and the more you have in the room it can feel crowded and cluttered. The simple design fits perfectly into any room and I've never felt like it needed to be hidden or something.

If you've got kiddos in diapers or one on the way, get yourself one! They are da best!






This post is created in partnership with Munchkin. As always, opinions are entirely my own. 

Our Favorite Baby Gear—Birth to 3 Months

Yep, time for one of these posts! I spent SO MUCH TIME looking at posts about what to register for, or suggested lists but these types of posts were the most helpful... just the ordinary things you actually use everyday and why you liked them.


Sleeping:

Munchkin Sound Machine - This little white noise machine has proven to be quite amazing for being so inexpensive. We've used it every day since we brought him home and probably will continue for years. We mostly only use it for the white noise but it also has a projector which we use from time to time. White noise—I love you.

Angelcare Movement and Sound Monitor - We went back and forth on what kind of monitor to get and finally landed on this one and I'm SO happy we did. When you're a new parent you're freaked out constantly... what if he stops breathing?! Not only is this a quality sound monitor but it has a pad that goes under the mattress that is so sensitive it can detect BREATHING... and an alarm will go off if there hasn't been movement for 15 seconds. It's peace of mind and the security I needed. It also tells you the temperature of the room and other fun things. We obviously still use this everyday too.

Moses Basket and Basket Stand/RockerMoses Basket - We borrowed these from a friend and loved it. We'll definitely want one of these for baby #2 (whenever that day comes). It was nice to have a cozy space for him to lay wherever I was in the house (I put it on the kitchen table while I made dinner in the early newborn days) and the rocker stand was next to my side of the bed and he slept there for the first couple months. Plus its really darn cute... a baby in a basket? Yes please.

Aden + anais Bamboo Swaddle Blanket 3 Pack - These are the softest swaddle blankets you'll ever touch and they are incredible. Perfect to swaddle in the earliest days, a great lightweight blanket for summer, and best of all, it doubles as a nursing cover (tie two corners together and slip the opening over your head, or just tuck one corner into your bra strap). Again, we still use these every day... for everything.

SwaddleMe wraps - These were a life saver!! He couldn't bust out of these until he was much older. It makes swaddling super quick and keeps them cozy and warm and sleeping sound. We had 3 so that we were never without one if there was a blowout or two...

Circo sheets - Cheap and cute... Target does it again. All of our crib sheets are these circo sheets. We have a few white and a few of these polka dot ones (which are my favorite)

Bath:

California Baby Shampoo & Bodywash - My favorite favorite favorite baby shampoo and wash. It may seem a little pricey but the 19oz bottle will no doubt last us an entire YEAR. We've been using it since day one and there's still over 1/4 bottle left. He gets a bath everyday (sometimes twice) and I even use it as a face wash every night. It is my favorite smell in the world. If they ever discontinue this I will be sad forever.

Puj Tub  - THE BEST tub for tiny baby baths. It was so nice to not be bent over, or having to fill up a seperate tub and worry about the water getting cold. Baby bathtubs have always terrified me but the puj cradles them so well I didn't worry once. We borrowed this from a friend but then bought our own because I loved it so much. 

Feeding:

Comotomo Bottle  - This is the only bottle we've ever had so I don't have a lot to compare it to but we love, he loves it. They say its a good bottle to introduce if you're breastfeeding since it has a soft body (like a boob.. haha). I don't pump consistently, only when I know I'll be gone during a feed so he doesn't use the bottle that often which is we literally only have one, but alas, I like it and its kinda cute and when it was hot I would put water in it and squirt him with it so I guess it doubles as a squirt gun too ;)

Gerber cloth diapers/burp rags - Don't waste money on cutesy burp rags because these are as good as they come! They are cheap, super durable, soft on the face and very absorbent. Win, win win. He doesn't spit up anymore but we still use them often for other things like wiping his hands/face or cleaning his toys.

Tommee Tippee Clear Pacifier - 2PK - These are his favorite and I liked that they didn't have obnoxious designs all over them. I'm a big fan of pacifiers, for obvious reasons, but also because babies just look so darn cute with them in their mouth.

On-the-Go Diaper Changing Kit - Lifesaver item right here. Stick a few diapers and wipes in here so you can change them on a surface you know to be clean and not disgusting when you're out and about. The pull-down thingies in bathrooms gross me out, no joke I've heard of stores reporting that druggies use them to shoot up, so I've never used one. I would use this in the car or on the floor over one of those things.

Gear:

Graco SnugRide Car Seat - We liked having this kind of carseat because he ALWAYS fell asleep in it (still does actually) and it would've been such a pain to wake him up to get him out everywhere we went. It's also pretty lightweight which is nice since you carry it a lot. I wish they would've had this black one, I like it better than our orange one but oh well. Also, its on super sale right now for $114, thats crazy! (No I don't work for Graco... but maybe I should)

4moms MamaRoo - I love this swing/rocker because its not huge and its not an eye sore. I didn't want our house to look like Toys r us exploded in it so this was great. But aesthetic aside, this thing is incredible. It mimics they way you rock and bounce and sway and babies LOVE it. It was the way we put him down to sleep when he got old enough to fight sleep. I want an adult one...

Baxton Studios Rocking chair - A rocking chair was a necessity for me. I was afraid this one would be uncomfortable but it's actually not and I love it. We still use this all the time... and now its out in the living room.

Solly baby wrap - I love this so much it deserves a post all on its own but for now I'll just say it was a lifesaver on days that he was extra needy but I still needed to get things done. I used it ALLLL the time: at home, running errands, at church, on walks... everywhere. Its also great if you're a germ freak like me and don't want people touching your baby.

Playing:

These all don't need individual rants but these were some of his first toys and he still plays with all of them (though we had to lay the baby gym down since he pulls it over onto himself now). I kinda thought he wouldn't care about the wood rattle because its boring but honest to goodness I think thats his favorite toy right now. Strange eh? And the baby gym... get it and thank me later. Before he was mobile he would lay under it for the longest time cooing and laughing. Its how I got dinner made every night.

Wooden Ring Rattle
Ikea baby gym
Ikea kitty rattles

Okay, thats all! Part II to come soon for the older babies.