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@kjpugs: another thought - have you tried a ring sling? I don't think I saw that. Mayas are on amazon, and have free returns.
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@kjpugs: When are you flying? I'd help you if I can get to Orlando before then...
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@Arden: I'm leaving Friday, but unfortunately traveling for work Thursday and then a meeting Wednesday, so I'm not sure I have the time myself to do anything
She seems to just be at this awkward stage between newborn and "real baby" as far as carrying goes and I didn't expect that it would get WORSE by now, instead of better. Womppppp. If I realized, I would have brought the carrier and asked you guys on Wednesday!
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@scg00387: I do have a ring sling that a friend gave me, but I'm REALLY unsure with it. Like worse than with the others.
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@kjpugs: Gah. I wish I could help you, I'm sure I could since I wore Vi constantly at that age with both the ergo and the wrap. I have a feeling that it's something you have to feel, since you aren't getting it from YouTube videos.
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@kjpugs: My fingers are crossed, this one was gold for me and I hope it is for you too! Let me know how it works out
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@Arden: I agree. I don't feel like it's right. I seem to get it (at least I think I do!) when I watch the videos (oh. soooo. many. videos.) but I just can't get it right in practice
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@kjpugs: Hopefully you can figure it out before the trip, but, if you can't, you CAN get through the airport without a carrier! I'm sure someone will help you fold the stroller, and it's easier to carry her through the metal detector because if she is in the carrier, they have to swab your hands, but they don't if you hold her. I hate to rely on strangers being nice, but really all you will need the help for is folding and unfolding the stroller at security and at the gate. Just travel light as much as possible and you can do it with or without the carrier!
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@kjpugs: okay--- don't freak out about the airport. I brought my Ktan when I flew solo with LO when she was 3 months, but on. the flight there, DH took us to the airport and picked her up to hug and kiss her as he walked us to security... So then I ended up going through security just holding her instead of wearing her. The TSA agents were *super* nice and helped me. I just kept LO in the stroller while I put the diaper bag and my shoes on the conveyer belt. Then a TSA agent took the stroller to walk it through the metal detector because it wouldn't fit on the conveyer belt folded up anyway. Then I just held LO and went through the metal detector. Easy peasy.
On the other side, the TSA agent gave me back the stroller and i put LO in before collecting my shoes and diaper bag.
No baby wearing necessary. Having said that, I baby wore in the way back and it made it slightly easier, but honestly... Both ways were a breeze.
You can do this, mama, I promise!! You will be a woman traveling along with a baby--- people will be offering to help you.
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@Foodnerd81: blegh. After the two worst flying trips of my life while I was (very visibly) pregnant, I am done relying on the kindness of strangers. It was the worst. I am DREADING this. If it wasn't for the fact that my sister is in the peace corps in armenia for two years and this is the ONLY time my daughter will get to meet her, I would most definitely not be going.
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@kjpugs: and if worse comes to worse and NO ONE will help you, throw down a baby blanket on the floor and put down LO while you fold the stroller. Tummy time!
Seriously, it will be fine.
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@Anagram: How did you put your stuff in the overhead with your LO? My LO can be propped up to sit so I'm thinking I could maybe prop her and throw the bag up there. Ugh that makes me nervous. When I was pregnant no one would help me with my bags at all so I'm trying to prepare myself for that.
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aw man, i feel your pain!
hopefully she will get used to the correct position for the ergo -- it really is a great carrier :).
but i second everyone else with respect to getting through the airport without using a carrier -- a little awkward sometimes but definitely possible :). a quick baby and blanket on the floor/seat, or someone helpful (maybe someone who works there?) for those 30 seconds where you need 2 hands :). you guys will do amazing, i am sure!
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@kjpugs: for putting bags up top i just lay the baby down on the seat.... or propped him up. i hope you encounter much nicer people this time!
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Just a thought but do you have a sleep sack? Maybe you could zip her in one before putting her in the ergo so that she can move her legs as easily. Also I would put the ergo on my waist a X then lay the ergo out on the bed or couch in front of me and lay my daughter down in it and then kind of scoop her up in the ergo as I put the straps on my shoulders.
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If this tells you guys anything... prepare to be GROSSED OUT... I am so stressed/upset over babywearing and this trip in general that I ate two boxes of girl scout cookies today. TWO. BOXES. I am so ready for this trip to be over. I wish I had a DH who didn't work weekends so he could go with us!!!
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@kjpugs: *hugs* take a deep breath. Everything will work out.
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It'll be okay! I just took a trip at 34 weeks pregnant with my 16 month old and all was well. If someone doesn't offer to put your stuff in the overhead, just ask someone. I think people are more considerate when they see you are with a little one than being pregnant.
I brought my frame stroller, put it through security and carried DS through the xray. It was no big deal. I think babywearing is super helpful, but you can totally do this without!
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I don't have much advice but I want to give you a hug! I know it will work out even if you have to carry her some. I am flying in a few weeks too & I am nervous because I also don't feel like LO is very secure in the K'tan, and I am saving the Ergo I just got for a V day gift to DH so I haven't tried it yet! I need to just take it out while he's not home & put it back in the box to wrap, haha.
I know you have a BBB near you - can you call & see if they can help?
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@kjpugs: when are you available before you leave? I have a ring sling, moby, and a bjorn and can be a set of eyes and hands to help you figure out the carriers you have now. I'm free after 2 pm everyday this week. Hang in there, mama!
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@kjpugs: I have to second other posters and say that if you can't figure out the baby wearing thing in time, it won't be a big deal at the airport.
I wore LO at the airport except for when I had a layover at BWI. I had to run to the next gate... but I had a sleeping baby in the infant seat and my bag and purse. Couldn't wear him because he was asleep and I wasn't messing with that. A man saw me struggling (literally limping along, haha), took my bag and walked with me to the gate so I could focus my energy on lugging that darn infant seat. Also, every plane I boarded, passengers took my carry on bag and stowed it for me. Every time!
I flew two times while pregnant and never had help like that! I really think it'll work out. A lot of people love babies and are more than willing to help.
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@MrsRoo: I might be able to do Wednesday... my afternoon plans might need to be canceled because I have TOO much going on this week, ugh. Would you be able to head by me or would you want to meet up somewhere accessible to us both?
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@MrsRoo: also- THANK YOU!
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@kjpugs: I can come your way, it sounds like you've got enough on your plate this week. Let me know!
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@MrsRoo: thanks friend- I will talk to DH tomorrow AM and wall you!
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@kjpugs: anytime, lady!
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If it helps...my daughter hated the Ergo without infant insert, but she's ok with it when I sit her on the pillow that comes on the infant insert so her legs are above the Ergo straps instead of right on top of them. Possibly something bigger than an A+A blanket could help in the Ergo?
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With your wrap, are you tying it before you put her in? For me that really helped with the loose feelings. I tied it tighter than I thought I needed to and then squeezed her in. It was stretchy enough to fit her. I also agree with others that in the wrap she needs more of a seat, so you should pull the fabric over until it's to her knees. Her knees should be slightly higher than her bum.
Best of luck to you, I hope that you can get it to work for you. I loved baby wearing and am trying to figure out how I am going to wear my almost 2 year old in the airport alone in April!
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@bpcmarj: yup. Tied it so tight that I thought "there's no way she will fit." She did, but the front part still was looser than id like and I couldn't figure out how to remedy it. I'll try adjusting the legs like you said though. Thanks!
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Big hugs- baby wearing still stresses me out. Best of luck on your trip!
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@kjpugs: Want to do it via Skype? I could spot you that way, if you want. It's a little hard to visualize or talk you through what's going on when I can't see, but I think your problems are fixable.
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@kjpugs: As a fellow big-busted woman, I found the ergo awkward. I hope that someone can help you out with what you have since you're on short notice, but for future reference... I love my Infantino carrier. I don't babywear much, but it's been great when I do. For me, the structure of the Infantino fits better with my body (read: boobs), and it's way easier to get Sadie in and out. It's way more structured, so there's only one way bitty's legs could go. I have an older version I got on consignment (Front 2 Back), but the newer version is called the Flip.
Here's a picture (this is obviously not me)...
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@photojane: The problem with those kind of carriers is that they're not good for baby's hips. I know women do use them and I'm not trying to put anyone down, but I'd hate to see the OP stop using her well-designed carriers for one that has been proven to not be healthy for baby's hips and spine...pretty much any babywearing group will not allow that style of carrier where the weight is all being put on the baby's pelvis.
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@wonderstruck: there actually isn't a whole lot of statistical proof that they're at all harmful. The point, though, is that you have to use what work works for you. The Ergo didn't for my body and baby. I've been using my Infantino for nearly a year now & we love it. "Baby wearing" is no different than everything else baby related, other moms will always tell you you're doing it wrong.
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@kjpugs: oh, I decided it was worth the piece of mind to pay the $25 to check my suitcase. Then I just had my diaper bag (with my wallet and stuff for LO inside) and LO to take on the plane and the stroller and car seat to gate check.
So I didn't have anything to put into an overhead bin. However, since you have a baby, they will let you board first--so you totally CAN put her down in the seat (even if she were laying, just lay her down) and then put the suitcase in the overhead.
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Oh girl, I am so sorry. I hope MrsRoo can help!
The Ergo is tough at this age. Another thought that I haven't seen mentioned here, have you tried to put her on your back in the Ergo? I know she's so tiny and it might be hard (you kinda have to swing them around to the back and its much easier when they can hold on to your neck). But it might be easier for her legs to hang out to the side on your back. Plus you have your hands free in the front. The best way to practice this is to buckle the ergo on your waist. Loosen the shoulder straps and chest strap quite a bit. Hold her on your hip and then push her to your back. So if she's on your right hip, slide your right arm (holding her) towards your back as much as you can get it. Then using your left arm reach behind your back and pull her fully onto your back.
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Thanks so much for the help, everyone. I was overwhelmed last night but E was super happy this AM so I decided to give it a try. I tried the Ergo because I wanted to REALLY see if I could get her to sit properly. I used some of your tips (rolled up blanket helped a LOT when used correctly) and it seems like it worked out! Going to work on the Boba again tonight. Thanks so much everyone. I already feel a lot better!
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@kjpugs: Well that looks MUCH better!
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@Arden: it FELT much better too. It look a little maneuvering to get her situated but she seemed comfortable and happy!
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@kjpugs: awesome news!!!
Also, even if she is screaming and unhappy in it in the airport, at least you have a way of holding her that doesn't use your arms. You can always get her out of it as soon as you get through security.
She seems to just be at this awkward stage between newborn and "real baby" as far as carrying goes and I didn't expect that it would get WORSE by now, instead of better. Womppppp. If I realized, I would have brought the carrier and asked you guys on Wednesday!
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