Friday, April 9, 2010

Our Family History of Baby Carriers

What's new?  Not baby carriers like this one.  They've been around.  
If a parent of teenagers tries to tell you, "You have it so easy now, with these baby carriers & such.  We didn't have stuff like that when my kids were young."  Don't believe them.

Me & Moira 2009

Me cozy & carried by my Momma back in 1980.


My mom made this one.  She did an amazing job with all the buckles & padding & stuff.  It is way more complex than the ones I make now.  The lining fabric is tiny strawberry print.  So cute.  The main fabric is a burgundy corduroy.
I think the brand name type that was similar to this styling was called the Snugli.


Scott on his dad's back - 1976.  


Yep.  Way back then.  They had baby carriers.  And, this one looks nearly identical to the style I use & make now--the Mei Tai Carrier.



18 comments:

Stef said...

that's a beautiful picture of you, Erin! I do love carriers and didn't realize the one Scott's Dad was using was around back then. Very cool!

I've always thought things were easier and simpler "back then". I kind of think there's way too much baby paraphernalia these days.

big hair betty said...

Super fun pictures Erin! Matt's great great aunt Elly (from Nicaragua) once made a comment (in Spanish) about a baby on my back in a carrier, something along the lines of, that's the way the Indians (native) wear their babies! She wasn't exactly impressed by the convenience of it all.

Erin said...

Sara,
Ha! I once had a lady tell me how she found the carrier craze so revolting. I had Moira in the carrier, but I think my hand was inside the carrier, on her back. She walked up to me & said how glad she was to see that it wasn't too much trouble for me to actually touch my baby with my hand. She said it breaks her heart to see moms out for walks swinging their arms away, with their poor infant dangling in the carrier.

Krista said...

My friend just went on a missions trip to Africa, and she had multiple pictures of kids about Jacob and Lizzy's age carrying kids on their back with baby carriers! (Like kids Elena's age).

I love all these pictures by the way, so fun!

Bill said...

Yes Erin, the baby carrier we used for Scott in 1976 worked well long ago-- I remember that time as very special at Rocky Mountain Nat Park in Colorado.

Melissa Joy said...

That is so cute! I love it!
I don't think my mother-in-law wore her babies, but my parents wore us. I should get some of those pictures out and check out the carriers they used. :)
Thanks for sharing these fun pictures. Love it.

Steph said...

so awesome! Definitely amazing (and wonderful) to see that this is something that is done all over the world -good things stand the test of time :)
I love wearing my babies and am so glad a friend here introduced me to it!

Brittany Martin said...

There's a picture of me in my mom's carrier way back in 1979. However, I must say that the styles and fittings of baby carriers have definitely improved over the years!

LindaFaye said...

I loved carrying my first two, but found that my back was tired by baby #3 and I put her down much more. I used an "Asian Baby Carrier" similar to those in your photos. I loved having them with me! Sometimes it was the only way I could get housework done!!

Stef said...

I agree with Brittany... and I can understand the woman who told you it sometimes looks revolting to her. I think many of the older carriers (they still sell them, sadly) look awful for the baby. Legs dangling about and head falling backwards. Ug.

Erin said...

Well, at least Scott & I both had safe & stylish parents.

emilie said...

LOL... I totally understand :) Glad you're going to try the fish tacos :)

Anonymous said...

Love the fabric of that one! I'm about to start one for winter wear -- fine wale red courderoy with stripey flannel lining. If the weeds let me get to sewing, that is :) Say 'hi' to that baby-carrying Mom from me.

paisley and lace said...

Love the one of you and your mom!

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

This is phenomenal!!!

Steph

Adventures In Babywearing said...

This is phenomenal!!!

Steph

jj said...

Love the fabric of that one! I'm about to start one for winter wear -- fine wale red courderoy with stripey flannel lining. If the weeds let me get to sewing, that is :) Say 'hi' to that baby-carrying Mom from me.

Stef said...

I agree with Brittany... and I can understand the woman who told you it sometimes looks revolting to her. I think many of the older carriers (they still sell them, sadly) look awful for the baby. Legs dangling about and head falling backwards. Ug.