Newborn Wearing? (Maya Wrap & BH)

[Cherry Alive]

Hi, All-

Very new to babywearing (baby anything, in fact). My daughter is about 3.5 weeks old, and I've started trying to practice wearing her around the house. I have a Maya Wrap and a Baby Hawk. So far, I seem to have everything down, but I am having trouble finding a way to support her head well. It seems to want to flop around when she's in the newborn sitting up ("froggy-legged") position in either carrier.

Is there something I'm missing? Should I try to put a small receiving blanket around the back of her neck?

Also, how do I know I won't roast her out (overheat her)? It seemed to get a little toasty around her head and my chest.

Thanks!

[maymorales]

I've never played with a MayaWrap.
But you should try to tie the straps a little bit more snug on your BabyHawk. Also, can you fold down the headrest a little to give that extra support?
Another thing you can try is to ask on the forums at TBW (thebabywearer.com). There are lots of experienced babywearers there who can probably give you some useful tips.

[6Smiles+Mine]

With my Maya Wrap, I always wear my newborns thru 3 months in the upright, tummy to tummy position! The top rail of the sling is taut enough to keep her head from wobbling around! And I usually wrap my baby in a swaddling blanket! Like the Aden + Anais one that is very light weight! It keeps all the little arms and legs organized with the BH, do the same position, but cross the straps over her back (called a Tibetan twist) to give her more support!!!

[Devaskyla]

Can you post pics? Might help to give better tips.

[Cherry Alive]

Thank you so much for the tips!

Devaskyla- I found some nice visual references on YouTube during a search for Mei Tai and slings.

For my BH, I realize I'm not wearing the shoulder straps right... They were next to my neck and actually they are supposed to be worn on the ball of the shoulder (this also decreases back strain with older babies). That helps make the top tighter. I also am wearing it higher now so she isn't being "suffocated" between my breasts.

Still trying to sort it out with the sling, but I figure it'll take some practice.

[LittleLlama]

Check on Yahoo Groups if there is a local babywearing group. I think a ring sling is REALLY difficult to get the hang of without someone who knows from experience what they're doing to either pat you on the back to tell you it's right or else help with the fine tuning. I'd been "confidently" wearing my DS for 4 months in a padded ring sling when a woman came up to me in the mall (while I was fidigeting and adjusting for the tenth time that hour) and gave me an extra hand and suggested the a smaller size would be more comfortable for me. Light bulb moment!!! She was so right!

[pixiepunk]

have you seen the videos at www.zolowear.com ? they are ring sling videos and they are the best. lots of great tips for wearing babies of all ages. should help with your maya wrap

[MaryLang]

I found that no matter what I did the MT didn't provide enough support for a newborns head, although a Kozy did help tremendously. In a ring sling, if your using tummy-to-tummy, just pull some of the fabric up the back of her neck and get it snug. Make sure her head is laying on its side though, so she can breathe well.

[spiritedmama]

on the maya wrap, pull one edge of the fabric (the part that hangs down after the rings...whichever loose edge cinches up the top (the other loose edge will tighten the bottom) and it will make it tighter so her head won't flop around....