Are you a real babywearer? Yes, you are!

Jacinta Gartner
May 31, 2015
2 min read

Six years ago, I was pregnant with my first child. I had many ideas of motherhood, and how I was going to do it. Most of them were deluded and laughable now, except one. I always knew I wanted to carry my baby. I might not have known then what I know now, I just wanted to be 'one of those hippie mums with a sling'. My baby wasnt even here yet, but I was a real babywearer.

I attended a pregnancy and parenting expo with my mum, where she generously bought me a Baby Bjorn carrier. Fast forward to my daughter's arrival, we were besotted and learnt quickly that some of those ideas about parenting we had were plain psychotic. When it came time to venture out, I was very excited to make use of my new carrier. I carried her everywhere; family functions, shopping, walks. I was a real babywearer.

Back then, Facebook wasn't what it is today. There were no suggested pages and groups, I wasn't familiar with online forums and I'd never heard of a sling meet. I continued carrying my baby until it started to become uncomfortable. Unfortunately, I didn't know of the vast variety of carriers available, so our wearing days ended prematurely.

Then came the birth of my second daughter, a high needs reflux baby. By this point Facebook had taken over my life and I could not have survived that first year following her birth without my beloved birth club. It was there I learnt about the world of babywearing, where to find more information, and where to purchase more baby carriers! I bought my first ring sling, a passion blossomed and the rest is history. I was a real babywearer.

We all start somewhere whether that's using a Bjorn, a piece of fabric, or simply your arms! I have often read of new parents feeling excluded for their choice of carrier, but heed this; as long as you are carrying your baby, comfortable and following current safety guidelines, you are a REAL babywearer.

So to the mum carrying your baby in a stretchy wrap out in public for the first time, you are a real babywearer. To the lady smiling down at your baby in a Bjorn, you are a real babywearer. To the proud dad wearing your child on your back in an SSC, you are a real baby wearer. To the savvy DIY parent with a homemade ringsling, you are a real babywearer. To the person bidding top dollar on an exclusive handwoven wrap, you are a real babywearer. Wherever you are in your journey, you belong in our community. Queue jazz hands.

How did your babywearing journey begin?