Keeping Close

I haven't posted any pictures of me "wearing" Mason, but I invested in a CatBirdBaby Pikkolo carrier for our first flight to Oklahoma back in June.

I've used the Peanut Shell sling and an Infantino structured carrier, but both of them had their limitations and obstacles. A sling carrier is great for newborns, Mason would cocoon and fall right to sleep in his cozy nest; but once he exceeded 10 lbs, it was horrible for my back. The Infantino (like the Baby Bjorn carrier) was nice, but I could only carry Mason in two very similar positions, the straps were confusing and twisty, and my back hurt after wearing him for an hour.

The Pikkolo is incredible. I can wear Mason 4 different ways: front-facing out, front-facing in, hip carry, and back carry. This soft-structured carrier is great because it's not confusing (nothing to tie, the straps just snap in the buckles) and there's a great hip support belt so my back doesn't tire. When we were going through the airport terminals, I wore Mason front-facing out so he could see his surroundings and also because I was too afraid to try the back carry since it was my first time to use the Pikkolo (there's a tiny learning curve, and bit of confidence in baby wearing before you can sling a little baby on your back...plus, he actually may have been too small at that time).

But I recommend wearing your baby if you can. You can get chores done around the house AND keep your baby happy and in a quiet active state (which is the ideal state for learning and exploring). I have to be cognisant of my new spacial limitations (no squeezing between chairs, furniture, and don't back up into a wall!) and I also have to bend with my knees and not with my back hunched over (which is how I should bend anyway).

Front-facing out

Back carry