Babywearing- Finding The Right Carrier For You and Your Baby!

Since International Babywearing Week starts tomorrow (October 8th-14th) I wanted to write yet another blog post on babywearing. I thought back to when I first started babywearing. I had no idea what the different type of carriers were and how they worked. So if you are interested in getting started with babywearing or want to learn about other carriers here is a list of the different types of carriers and their functions!

Woven Wrap

Wrap- Wraps are basically a long strip of fabric that you wrap around you and your baby to carry them. There are two types of wraps. A stretchy wrap and a woven wrap. A stretchy wrap can hold up to 35lbs in most cases, but it is usually not recommended to wear baby on your back in a stretchy wrap. A woven wrap doesn't stretch so you have to support baby by holding them while you wrap them up but they can be used for front, back, or hip carries. 

Ring Sling

There are so many different ways to carry your baby with a wrap. Some methods are super easy and some take a little more practice. With a wrap you can carry your baby in ways that are most comfortable for you and your baby with very little difficulty. Woven wraps come in different lengths and types of fabric, but the length and type of fabric you choose is up to you.

Ring Sling- A ring sling is basically a wrap with rings attached to it and instead of tying and knotting you use the rings to fasten the sling. While a ring sling can carry newborns up to toddlers, but in my opinion it is ideal for newborns and small babies. The ring sling was the main carrier I used when Isaac was a newborn. It was so simple to use and kept him super close to me at all times. There is no tying or wrapping with a ring sling so it makes for a perfect beginners carrier. 

My friend Katy using a Mei Tai.

Mei Tai- I haven't tried a Mei Tai yet but in my own words they are basically a cross between a soft structured carrier and a wrap. I'm not sure that is the best description for them but basically you have the structure and stability of a SSC but you wrap the straps around you like a wrap. I really want to try one of these. A lot of my friends have one and they love it! You can adjust easier by being able to wrap the straps around you and baby. Mei Tai's can also carry newborns up to toddler( around 40lbs). 

Soft Structured Carrier

Soft Structured Carrier- I would say soft-structured carriers are the most daddy and beginner friendly. They have thick padded straps and secure with buckles rather than by tying and knotting. They can be used for front carries  and back carries. Most will fit adults of any size or height. 

These are the main types of carriers you have to choose from when choosing a carrier. If it's possible visit a local store that sells a few different kinds and give them a try to get a feel for them! Or if you have a friend that has any of these ask them if you can try it on! All of these carriers are great for different types of parents, babies, and situations! Finding the right one for you and your baby is simply a matter of personal preference and style! 

Have you tried any of these kinds of carriers? Which do you like the best? If you haven't, which would you like to try the most? 

Abby's Lane Oooh! Ergo Giveaway!!

Open October 5-18th

What happens when you combine two things you really love into one MEGA Giveaway? You get the Abby's Lane Ooh! Ergo Giveaway! If there's one thing that Abby's Lane takes seriously it's pleasing their fans and one of you will be really pleased if you win. Ten different and equally amazing blogs are co-hosting this giveaway with Abby's Lane. One giveaway, one rafflecopter, ten places to enter though you need only choose one. There's a lot at stake so make sure you come back daily to grab those extra entries.

Abby's Lane has been serving the cloth diapering ans babywearing community for over 8 years.  They have a fabulous website and  retail store in Manassas, VA.  They are known for their awesome customer service and Free USA Shipping on ALL orders!

The prize is jaw-dropping.

A Petunia Picklebottom Holland print Ergo Carrier ($160 value) and $25 Gift Certificate to Abby's Lane! From October 5-18, you'll be able to enter to win on this or any of the below blogs.

• http://sewfatty.com/
• http://www.clothdiaperrevival.com/
• http://www.myclothdiaperstash.com/
• http://sahclothdiaperingmama.blogspot.com/
• http://www.obsessionsottw.com/
• http://accordingtojenny.com/
• http://soeasybeinggreen-blog.com/
• http://www.justaddcloth.com/
• http://www.mommyfergblog.com/
• http://www.clothdiapergeek.com

So, this fabulous giveaway starts today! (Open to the USA only)  Enter to win via the Rafflecopter form embedded below.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Dermagist Hydrating Spa System Review & Giveaway! {US & Canada!}

Dermagist is a skin care line that provides amazing products for all kinds of skin! They offer products for anti-aging, acne, cleansing, and moisturizing! I was given the opportunity to review their Hydrating Spa System which includes a Hydropuetic Body Lotion, a Foot and Heel revitilizing cream, and a Hydro-Renewal Hand Cream.

The Hydropeutic Body Lotion is made with green and white tea and used not only to moisturize but to sooth and relax, as well as shield the skin. I really like the body lotion. It's perfect for after I shower! It has a minty yet floral scent that is light and fresh. It goes on smoothly and isn't greasy or lingering. It makes me skin feel moisturized and with the winter months coming up that's exactly what I need!

The Hydro-Renewal Hand Cream is not only a nourishing cream but also an anti-aging product! It reduces wrinkles and age spots while nourishing and replenishing dry, cracked skin. I really have found the hand cream to work well on my dry hands! My hands always seem dry and itchy but since I've been using the hand cream I find them to be a lot less dry!

Check out the anti-aging effect of the Hydro-Renewal Hand Cream!

The Foot and Heel Revitilizing Cream is my favorite product of the three! This stuff is awesome! When I put it on my feet they feel so rested and rejuvinated as soon as I apply! It's amazing! I've only been using it for a little over a week and I've already noticed a difference in how my feet feel and look! I am very excited to see how they look in about a month! I've tried so many products on my feet for dry, cracked heels and this product is the only one that is really working!

The Hydrating Spa System from Dermagist is the perfect three products for your skin! It will have your skin feeling refreshed and moisturized!

Buy It!

http://www.dermagist.com/

Win It!

One lucky reader will win a Hydrating Spa System from Dermagist!

Wordless Wednesday! Ten Month Comparison!

Both my boys at 10 months old! Do you think they look alike?? :)

Fun Upcoming Events!

I LOVE participating in fun giveaway events and with the holidays right around the corner its a great time for giveaways! Right?! So here's a few that I'm participating in from now through December!

Travelin' With Baby-October 10th-24th

Travelin' With Baby is an event featuring all things you could possibly need while traveling with a little one! There are so many possibilities here and these giveaways are going to be super creative! This event is hosted by So Easy Being Green and According to Jenny!

Newborn Stash Cloth Diaper Giveaway- October 13th-20th

If you are a pregnant mama looking to start cloth diapering this giveaway is for you! We will be giving away a whole newborn stash, including newborn and one-size diapers! The prize package is valued at $295!! This giveaway is hosted by Daily Mothering and sponsored by Kissed by the Moon!

Hoppin' Halloween Giveaway Hop- October 25th-31st

This giveaway hop will feature a bunch of different blogs having their own special giveaways and you can hop along to each blog to enter! What a great way to celebrate Halloween! Who doesn't want to win stuff right?! This giveaway is hosted by MamaNYC.

Holly Jolly Jubilee-November 19th-30th

Holly Jolly Jubilee is also a giveaway hop where you will have the chance to hop to many different blogs and enter to win awesome prizes! This will be a great chance to win some Christmas gifts! This giveaway is hosted by Formula Mom and Fabulous Finds by Tiffany.

Merry Fluffy Christmas Giveaway Hop - December 1st-7th

This is another giveaway hop but it's featuring all things Fluffy!! Cloth diapers make the best giveaway prizes right?! This is going to be a HUGE event with lots of bloggers and sponsors participating! This event is hosted by And Then There Were 4.

If you are a business and would like to be featured on my blog by pariticpating in one of these giveaway events please contact me at mommyferg02(at)gmail(dot)com for more information!

Be sure to come back during all these events and enter to win some great prizes here at The Not-So-Secret Confessions of a Second Time Mom!

Earth's Best 1st and 2nd Foods Seasonal Vegetables Review & Giveaway!

Baby's first foods are all about learning how to eat and introducing new flavors! Now that summer is over a whole new array of vegetables and fruits are in season and it's the perfect time to introduce your baby to a variety of new flavors!

Earth's Best carries all of these seasonal fruits and veggies in different varieties and combinations! And like always, they are all organically grown without any potentially harmful pestisides or herbicides. Some of the seasonal vegetables they carry are Squash and Sweet Potato (1st foods) and Carrots and Apples (2nd Foods)!

Isaac doesn't eat much pureed food anymore. He's much more into finger foods now but when he does eat pureed he really gobbles up foods like carrots, apples, and sweet potatoes! They are his favorite! With Earth's Best I know I'm giving him food that is straight from the garden and grown without any harmful chemicals! I feel good knowing that I am giving my baby healthy foods without having to worry about any other products getting into his system!

Buy It!

Find Earth's Best products at most local grocery stores!

Win It!

One lucky reader will win an assorment of Earth's Best 1st and 2nd foods seasonal vegetables!

Traveling with Cloth Diapers!

We've traveled quite a bit this summer, four trips to be exact, and I've taken both disposables and cloth on these trips and suprisingly I have found cloth to be a lot easier than disposables! I know a lot of people worry about using cloth diapers while traveling so I thought I'd share my tips and tricks for making it easy!

1. Disposable liners or not, it can still be easy! On the trips that I took my cloth diapers I didn't bring liners because we were only gone for a few days. It was still really easy! I will say, if you are going to be gone for a long period of time and/or not going to have access to a washing machine disposable liners are probably a good idea.

2. Wetbags are your friend! I brought my pail liner with me on my trips but I also brought the few wetbags that I have too! And I got a lot of good use out of them! Not only are they great for the diaper bag while out, but they work well when you have that major stinky diaper and aren't going to be washing for another day or two! I would just stick all the yucky diapers in a wetbag and then stick the wetbag in the pail liner so that the smell would be super contained!

3. If you can, wash!  I didn't wash either time that I took my diapers with us but I would have if we were going to be gone long enough. I had access to a washing machine both times and I could have just brought a little bit of detergent to use and washed like I do at home. To me it is still easier than running to the store before a big trip and spending the money on a whole box of disposables you'll use just that one time. I don't know about you but the last thing I want to do is run to the store when I'm packing for a big trip! I already feel like I have to pack my whole house when traveling with two small kids!

Have you traveled with cloth diapers before? What did you use? Did you wash? Any tips for other moms planning to travel with cloth?