Joy Riders - Babywearing Consultant

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Joy Riders - Babywearing Consultant

Babywearing education and support. Learn how to keep you child close and your hands free, comfortab

03/11/2024

Do you have a baby carrier and love the benefits of being hands free...
but you aren't quite sure you are doing it right?

Check out our free safety guide on our website to make sure you have the basics of babywearing safety down pat.

Need a bit more help? Get in touch and we can schedule a personalised session to help you feel confident wearing your baby this summer!

13/06/2024

Stretchy wraps are an awesome option for babywearing with young babies. They are soft and snuggly and comfortable for you and baby. Plus they come in gorgeous prints like the Boba NZ & Australia Seville pictured here and are a very cost effective babywearing option.

But did you know that they always need to have three layers of fabric across baby's back? This is to make sure they are supportive enough to carry baby comfortably and safely. With less than three layers the elastic properties that make these carriers so comfortable to wear, mean that baby may not be held securely enough.

So make sure you always have all three layers of fabric going from knee to knee and high on baby's back.

Not sure if you have your stretchy wrap adjusted properly? Get in touch to organise a 15min fit check via video call so you can feel confident that baby is safe and secure!

12/06/2024

So you are getting to grips with your buckle carrier, but do you know all the little details that can make a huge difference to how you use your carrier?

Let me know in the comments which of these tips you were aware of already, and which were new to you!

10/06/2024

I have talked to you before about the key to an comfortable, ergonomic back strap. It should sit at about armpit height. But unless you are incredibly flexible, you probably will have trouble clipping it at this height by yourself.

The T-shirt method is my favourite solution for this, particularly for carrying newborns, as it lets you put on your carrier without having to take your hands off your little one.

Scroll the images to see what I mean!
1. clip the back clip before you put on the shoulder strap.
2. make sure the shoulder straps are loose.
3. lift the back strap over your head, like you are putting on a T-shirt.
4. slip your arms through the shoulder straps
5. tighten the straps, pulling the back strap into its optimal position.

The first time you put on the carrier, it can help if you have someone to position the back strap in the right place for you, to avoid having to take the carrier on and off to adjust it. But once it is in the right position, it will already in the perfect spot each time you put on the carrier.

This method isn't doing it for you? Get in touch for a one-on-one consultation to learn other ways to solve this problem, or sign up for babywearing with a newborn. This online course has an extensive section on buckle carrier use, with all the techniques to make front carrying a breeze.

08/06/2024

Toddler wearing isn't a thing right? I mean they can walk themselves....

And yes, I dont wear Master 3 as much as I did when he was two, or even as much as I did one month ago.

But he still gets tired on long walks, and a carrier is much comfier than a shoulder ride.

He still sometimes pushes boundaries and tries to run off in a crowd, and a carrier is far easier than entreaties, threats or bribes to keep him by my side.

And when your husband is sick, your daughter got her arm cast in plaster that morning and your son is trying to do headstands on the couch right next to her while you are trying to cook dinner... a carrier is far more effective at coralling him than telling him to go to his room!

Spoiler alert... that final scenario was the one I was living tonight 🫠

Featuring toddler carrier

15/05/2024

Did you realise the position and amount of tension on your back strap can have a huge impact on how comfortable you are while babywearing?

Which image is most like how your carrier is set up? Does it need some tweaks?

13/05/2024

Lets talk world facing!
The ability to carry a child world facing is one of the number one features that parents have on their wish list when looking for a carrier.... though to be honest, it is the method of carrying that I personally used the least when carrying my little people. So lets talk pros, cons and world facing safety.

The first thing we need to consider before turning your child around to see more of the world, is whether they can do so safely. Things to check include if your child is tall enough that their face clears the back panel completely, and if they have developed enough core strength to protect their airways in this position. The most commonly accepted milestone to indicate your child has the strength to support this position is if they are able to sit in tripod fashion independently.

So now you know if your baby can safely be carried this way... what other things are there to consider.
World facing lets nosey babies see more about what is going on around them - Pro.
But it also doesn't allow them to retreat from the world if they become overstimulated the way that other carrying set ups do - Con.
This carrying method replicates they way that a lot of babies prefer to be carried in arms, which eases the transition into being babyworn for littles who are new to the practice - Pro.
But it is not the most ergonomic way to carry baby, more so in some carrier brands than others, meaning that you both wont be as comfortable using this method - Con.
For me though, the factor that made the biggest difference... It is not safe for your baby to sleep when world facing, the risk of their chin dropping to their chest and compromising their airways is just too great. As someone who frequently used the carrier for naps on the go, this is definitely a giant Con to world facing.

Have you carried your child world facing? I'd love to hear how you found it.

07/05/2024

Crossing your shoulder straps is a great way to spread the weight of carrying your little one, and to prevent straps sliding off narrow shoulders.

Not all carriers can be configured this way, but most that have buckle clips at the end of the shoulder straps can.

Scroll through the images to help you perfect your technique when crossing your shoulder straps.

For more helpful techniques and tips for babywearing, check out joyriders online courses or book a one on one consultation.

05/05/2024

There are benefits to both different strap configurations... H or X.
Some carriers can even do both, so you can switch between them as needed.

I like H for a quick setup, but X is perfect for people who find the straps sometimes slide off their shoulders, or need a bit more back support when they are carrying.

Like all aspects of babywearing there are a few things to be aware of with each set up to get them as comfortable and supportive as possible.

Which configuration would you like to hear the tips for first? Comment H or X below to let me know.

Address

Waiuku
2682

Website

http://www.joyriders.co.nz/

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