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In ’10 babywearing questions to’ we ask parents 10 questions about babywearing. This time it’s Andrea who’s giving us the answers.

The 27 year old Andrea is married to Jaap and together they have 2 daughters. Salomé, 3 years old and Suah 8 months old. Because of depressions Andrea is not able to work, but now is a fulltime mother of her little girls. Andrea loves to cook, bake and going out with Salomé and Suah.

How did you start babywearing,  or who made you enthusiastic to carry your own child in a babywrap or baby carrier?

When i was pregnant of our first daughter i have read some articles about babywearing. How you can wear your baby and what the benefits of babywearing are. That’s why i asked a babycarrier as a maternity gift for our girl. Wrapping a baby sling seemed a bit difficult and that’s why i choose the babycarrier. We enjoyed babywearing so much, so the baby carrier was used a lot. During the pregnancy of my second daughter i was curious to try out a baby sling. I chose the stretchy wrap and experienced that wrapping a baby sling wasn’t that difficult at all. So a few weeks ago i have also ordered my first woven wrap.

Did you start babywearing immediately after birth?

Yes after my maternity period i directly started babywearing. It helped a lot to keep my little girl comforted.  When she was crying or had difficulties to get to sleep, i kept her close in the wrap. I also found out that babywearing was the perfect way to go out for a walk, when i started walking the girls immediately felt relaxed in the carrier.

Wearing your child for practical reasons or for social and emotional reasons?

Both for sure!  Practical when you go out for walks in the nature, the stroller isn’t ideal at all. Also when we go to church and you have a long sit, you still have your baby close. I find it very important to have little babies close to their parents. The baby wrap and baby carrier give so much comfort and cosiness.

Carrying with a babywrap or baby carrier?

With Salomé i started with the baby carrier, but i love the fact that i started with Suah with the stretchy wrap. I still carry Suah only in the baby wrap. Jaap uses the baby carrier, so carrier is still in the running. From birth i used the stretchy wrap, because it’s extremely soft and feels nice around a little babies body. Now she get’s bigger i prefer the woven wrap, because it’s stronger and gives me more support.

When do you experience the benefits of babywearing the most?

At birthdays, busy events or when i have to do quick grocery shoppings! I pre tie the wrap at home, put Suah in the wrap when we arrive and then i have my hands free for Salomé or the shopping bags. Also Suah is a lot more quiet and peaceful when i carry her.

Do you have a partner, grandpa, grandpa, babysitter that also wears your child?

Yes my husband Jaap wears both of our children. He doesn’t like to tie a babywrap, so he uses the babycarrier. When we carry both of our children he obviously has to carry my eldest daughter, so i can carry the lighter one 😉

What are your favorite places to go to with your children?

We love to go out in the nature. Here at Doornspijk are lots of beautiful places to walk around. The meadows along the Veluwe lake, the forrest or the sand drift. On holidays we are also searching for these beautiful spots to walk trough. We took our eldest daughter to Scotland twice. And the babycarrier was a real musthave at that time. Next summer we hope to go Switzerland and carry both of our girls during long walks.

What is your most beautiful, nicest or funniest babywearing moment?

A beautiful moment i shared with one of my best friends, when we carried both our babies. I also love to see how my girls are connecting with the world around them while being carried in the babywrap.
Also the feeling of a sleeping baby close to me feels amazing.

Do you ever had an embarrassing moment while carrying?

I had to think for a long time to answer this question, but i don’t really have an answer. Sometimes it’s a bit embarrassing when i’m not at home and i have to go to the toilet when my baby is sleeping in the carrier. Hm, then i have to take her with me…

Do you have babywearing tips for other parent (to be)?

Just try it out, babywearing is so worth it. After birth i loved the stretchy wrap and when the baby get’s bigger a woven wrap will do the work. And is wrapping not your thing? Just use a baby carrier.

Which mum or dad do you nominate for the next ’10 baby wearing questions to’?

I nominate Els (@els_soldaat)). Els is a sweet mum of 3 beautiful sons.

Did you like to read this ’10 babywearing questions to? Keep an eye on our blog for the next 10 questions or our other blogs to read.