Wired For Noise

As you all know HotSlings is one half of my amazingly awesome BlogHer sponsor duo. And for good reason. When I first attempted getting sponsors, thanks to Jessica’s ebook, I went only to companies that I loved that promoted things I adored. Babywearing is definitely one of those things. Seriously, half of my parenting awesomeness is the ability to carry baby + chase toddler + help big kid thanks to my pouch carrier.

So, in the spirit of sharing, here are the 10 things I absolutely love about babywearing!

1. Trips to the grocery store are easier. Having my hands free is a huge plus when I’ve got those two boys to keep up with.
2. Breastfeeding in public = easy, peezy, lemon squeezy. A quick adjustment of Saffron’s position, a flip up of the shirt, and I’m walking around breastfeeding without anyone even noticing.
3. Trips to the park are simplified. Have you ever tried pushing a stroller through the grass, or worse – gravel, at the park? Why do all four wheels suddenly go in four different directions? No thanks!
4. Speaking of strollers, why are the eisles in the clothing store narrower than a stroller is wide? Especially in the kid section, which makes no sense at all.No tight squeezes through the racks with the sling.
5. Saffron is always up out of the way of toddlers with dirty hands who like to poke babies in the face. Especially my toddler with dirty hands who likes to poke sister in the face. Repeatedly.
6. And while she’s held up there against my chest I’ve got easy access to kiss all over her fat cheeks. It’s an obsession of mine.
7. No matter where I am, I’ve always got a conversation starter on me. Which is great, since I tend to be shy in public. So far there hasn’t been a trip anywhere yet that hasn’t involved a stranger coming up to talk about the sling. Whether to ask me where I got it, if it’s comfortable, compliment me on the pattern, and a couple times tell me their babywearing horror story. Apparently Snuglis are the tools of the devil.
8. I’ve got an easy out of anything I don’t want to do. “Oh, sorry. I would but the baby just hates being put down. Maybe next time.” And yes, I totally use that excuse for cleaning around the house.
9. But really, I can totally clean the house when she’s fussy. Laundry, dishes, even vacuuming. I can hold her close and still get things down. You know, when I’m not making excuses about it.
10. She naps. Oh glorious golden sundrops she naps! Saffron seems to take after Trey in the hating to nap during the day stuff. So far Evan has been my only good napper as a baby. But if I get her settled into the pouch and take a quick 15 minute walk she will be out like a light.

Now you know my 10 favorite things about babywearing.

Oh, wait. Didn’t I mention a giveaway?

Yep, I did. For spreading the babywearing love HotSlings is giving a free sling to one winner at BlogHer. That’s right, your very own sling to rock out with. There’s just two rules: You have to physically be at BlogHer so I can give it to you, and you have to share with me what you love (or what you look forward to) about babywearing. You can either leave me a comment here with your answer or hit me up at BlogHer with it. In fact, if you leave a comment here and find me at BlogHer to tell me a second thing I’ll double your odds.

Then Friday evening I’ll be doing a little babywearing get together in my hotel room, chatting you all up, answering questions, letting you cuddle Saffron. Show up and if your name gets picked you’ll be the proud owner of a new sling. Mamas, mamas-to-be, dads, grandparents, aunts, uncles, neighbor of the lady who looks like she could use a hand, whatever. Let me know what you love about babywearing and your name will go on the list, then show up at BlogHer to see if you’re the winner.

Related Reading:

Happiness is... Babywearing

The Art of West African Baby-Wearing

Babywearing: The Art (And Science) of Wearing Your Baby