The past day and a half has been awesome with great feedback from all of the blog's new fans! I realized today that the only pictures I had posted on our Facebook page were of carries with a size 2 or "shorty" wrap (a shorty is considered a size 3 or smaller). There is a significant amount of debate over what size wrap is best for a beginner. The general consensus seems to be a size 6, but there is a small and growing group that feels a shorter wrap, size 3 perhaps, is a great way to learn quick, simple carries without being overwhelmed by fabric and multiple passes over mom/dad and baby.
A few of my favorite shorties! Clockwise from top left: Didymos aqua pfau 2, 100% cotton; Girasol Double Rainbow rojo weft diamond weave 2, 100% cotton; Oscha Triskele Oban 2, 50/50 linen-cotton blend; Hoppediz katmandu 3, 100% cotton; Didymos India Holi 2, 60% cotton-40% linen. Clearly the "selfie" is a required babywearing skill.
I bought two wraps simultaneously when I decided to try wrapping for the first time. One was a size 6 Girasol and the other was the size 3 Hoppediz Katmandu, pictured above in the bottom center position. I quickly came to appreciate my shorty more and more. It didn't drag on the wet, winter ground when I was wrapping E outside, it fit nicely inside my diaper bag, and I could do front, hip, and back carries. Slowly my wrap stash began to include more and more sizes 2 and 3 and my longest wrap became a size 4.
Now as E gets bigger and heavier, I appreciate a longer wrap because it allows me to have multiple passes over her body and therefore the carry is more supportive. Longer wraps also allow for torso passes and chest belts for me which also adds support and stability. But shorties are still some of my favorites for quick trips to the park or to throw in the diaper bag for a dinner at a restaurant or grocery shopping.
Here are a few of my favorite shorty carries and variations, listed with the size wrap I feel is best for each one. Note that I am approximately 5' 5" and 125 pounds with a fairly small frame and my daughter is a very petite 12-month old at 16 pounds. You can adjust your sizes accordingly. Obviously anything listed as good for a size 3 can be done with a size 2, you will just end up with longer tails.
Ruck Tied in Front (RTIF) - 3
Ruck Tied under Bum (RTUB) - 2
Rebozo - 2
Rear Reinforced Ruck Rebozo (RRRR or Pirate Carry) - 2 tied at shoulder (TAS) or 3 with a Candy Cane Chest Belt (CCCB)
Semi-Front Wrap Cross Carry (Semi-FWCC) - 3
Double Hammock Double Rings (DHDR) - 2
Double Hammock Tied at Shoulder (DHTAS) - 3
Double Hammock Tied at Shoulder with Ring Finish (DHTAS w/ RF) - 2
I hope to add video tutorials for some of these later this week. Stay tuned!
Now as E gets bigger and heavier, I appreciate a longer wrap because it allows me to have multiple passes over her body and therefore the carry is more supportive. Longer wraps also allow for torso passes and chest belts for me which also adds support and stability. But shorties are still some of my favorites for quick trips to the park or to throw in the diaper bag for a dinner at a restaurant or grocery shopping.
Here are a few of my favorite shorty carries and variations, listed with the size wrap I feel is best for each one. Note that I am approximately 5' 5" and 125 pounds with a fairly small frame and my daughter is a very petite 12-month old at 16 pounds. You can adjust your sizes accordingly. Obviously anything listed as good for a size 3 can be done with a size 2, you will just end up with longer tails.
Ruck Tied in Front (RTIF) - 3
Ruck Tied under Bum (RTUB) - 2
Rebozo - 2
Rear Reinforced Ruck Rebozo (RRRR or Pirate Carry) - 2 tied at shoulder (TAS) or 3 with a Candy Cane Chest Belt (CCCB)
Semi-Front Wrap Cross Carry (Semi-FWCC) - 3
Double Hammock Double Rings (DHDR) - 2
Double Hammock Tied at Shoulder (DHTAS) - 3
Double Hammock Tied at Shoulder with Ring Finish (DHTAS w/ RF) - 2
I hope to add video tutorials for some of these later this week. Stay tuned!
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