We only started to babywear when we have our third and fourth child.
They are twins, and I figured that it is a logistical nightmare to bring our twins out in prams. I imagined packing a double stroller in our 5-seater’s boot, getting stuck in the narrow alleys in Sheng Shiong, and patiently waiting for empty lifts to accommodate a double stroller plus two kids in a shopping mall. No, I don’t think prams will work for us.
I received a hand-me-down carrier from a friend for my first-born, and our first experience with a baby carrier wasn’t pleasant. My eldest didn’t like the babywearing experience at all. After enduring his thunderous cries during our fitting at home, I decided that babywearing was not for us. I did not have the know-how in wearing a baby, nor anyone to guide me.
So for the first few years of our parenting life, we used the pram and our arms to carry our older two kids around. I guess it worked out pretty okay for us. We like to bring our children for walks. So by the time #2 turned three, we could ditch the pram. We even brought the two of them to Sydney without any stroller! They were 3 and 4 ½ years old then.
Read our Sydney experience here.
Now, since prams would not work for us anymoee, we decided to invest in a baby carrier. I bought 1 Ergobaby 360. After using it for a week, we decided to buy a second one. These baby carriers became the best baby-related purchases I made.
Why We Babywear
It makes our parenting life so much easier
I am very practical here. We wanted to be hands-free so that we can carry on with our daily tasks such as doing some light housework (vacuuming, wash the dishes), sending the kids to school and marketing. Carrying this extra weight helps me work out and lose weight too.
I also like the fact that I can bring both babies out independently by babywearing one and placing the other on the pram. In this way, I can navigate through Sheng Shiong’s narrow alleys and carry on with my marketing duties.
Fuss-free travel
Travelling on a 5-seater is no longer an impossible task for us. We can also walk up and down the escalator and staircase freely, and are hands-free to hold on to our older kids. We even brought the twins to the Pasir Ris Beach Park soon after my confinement, and overseas in coaches and speedboats!
Read our gang-on trip to Ranoh Island here.
When we are out and about, babywearing makes breastfeeding easier. I walk around feeding the baby using a nursing cover while satisfying my baby at the same time. Sometimes, people cannot tell what we are doing under the cover.
Babywearing soothes the babies
Babywearing encourages close contact and bonding between the babies and myself. The babies also get to hear our heartbeat and voice, something that is soothing and reassuring. When the twins find difficulty falling asleep, we babywear them until they are sound asleep.
Time for a new carrier
These days, my lower back hurts a lot. The twins are now over 10 kg each, and it seems that the Ergo 360 is no longer giving me sufficient lumbar support. Moreover, bending over and piggy-backing them feels dangerous. The body panel supporting the back of my twin seems too small and may risk the baby falling out.
I got lost in the range of available baby carriers in the market. I want something that supports my back as I babywear for long hours, but I don’t want to step into any shop as the options are typically limited in a shop set-up, and yet I may be pressured to buy something.
Some mummies in a mummy facebook support group recommended me to approach Fion from Baby Carriers Rental SG which carries a wide range of baby carriers. Since they gave great reviews on her services and after-sales support, I decided to meet up with her for a consultation session.
My experience with Baby Carriers Rental SG
After understanding my concerns, Fion selected some carriers for me to try out. I am impressed with her patience and willingness to show me a variety of selections suitable for my body frame and needs. Trained in Germany, Fion is a very knowledgeable babywearing educator.
As my twins are already 18 months, Fion advised me to select a carrier with a bigger body panel to support my kiddo adequately and safely. Although I have been using the baby carrier regularly for nearly 18 months, Fion highlighted an important issue I am not aware of.
When getting a new baby carrier, I should ensure knee-to-knee, meaning that the carrier should support not only the baby’s butt but her thighs too. When seated in a carrier, both knees should be above her butt. Knee-to-knee is extremely important to ensure that the baby is ergonomically supported and avoid hip dislocation.
See this post for more information.
Honestly, my toddlers outgrew their Ergo360 many months ago. I should have gone to Fion long ago, but there is no point in crying over spilled milk. Better late than never.
Fion also taught me how I could independently adjust my child from a front carry position to a back carry position without removing her from the baby carrier, and how a super inflexible person whose hand cannot reach his or her back can independently babywear. See video here for her fantastic demonstration.
I have rented a Kol Kol Toddler Carrier from Baby Carrier Rental SG for a week to try out before finalising my purchase from there. After experiencing the carrier for a week, Fion addressed my other areas of discomfort I had with Kol Kol, mostly due to my inexperience in using this new baby carrier.
Confident that Kol Kol will provide my toddlers and me with adequate ergonomic support, I finalised my purchase with Fion.
Want to book a consultation session with Fion too? Click here to contact her for an appointment. Alternatively, you can visit her website for more information.
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Disclaimer: Rental for the baby carrier is complimentary, but all opinions are my own.
