Meet Lisa Matulka

How did you get introduced to babywearing?

Honestly, up until about a week or two ago I had no idea! It just seemed so natural and so ingrained in my brain. When I found out I was pregnant there was no question about if I would baby wear or not, I just knew I was going to. It was only when I was discussing my stay with a host family in a small Quebec town, that I recalled helping my host mother wrap her

3 days old!

infant daughter onto her so we could stroll down the Saint Lawrence River. It’s funny that something so small and insignificant at the time would become such an important aspect of my parenting bag of tricks.

How long have you been babywearing?

My oldest turns three in March, so a little over two and a half years. We started our babywearing journey fumbling around in a sized pocket sling trying to get comfortable. Boy, how far have we come!

How has it changed your life?

Baby and toddler wearing has allowed me to live my life. You hear all the time how having a baby changes your life, how you will never be able to do the things you enjoyed again and in those first couple of days home with your new squish it honestly felt that way. Then one day I woke up, partner at work, home alone with this tiny human I had to keep alive and decided I needed more then the walls around us and waiting on others to decide how we lived. I carefully placed her in my very first carrier and hoped for the best. That day was just a trip to the grocery store but it started what would become a daily occurrence. Now with a toddler and a young baby I would literally get nothing accomplished if it wasn’t for my stash of carriers.

Have you traveled and found babywearing helped?

As in a vacation? What’s that? All jokes aside it is so freeing to not be

Birds of prey in Banff

restricted to a stroller. Don’t get me wrong, as a mom of two who doesn’t drive, strollers absolutely have a place in our life but if I can go stroller free I will. Most of our travelling has been around
the province, a weekend here, a day there. We take yearly trips to Banff and it’s great to be able to take in nature with the little ones safely secured to you. There is no worrying about if the stroller will fit or the rush to get back somewhere for naps as my girls took kindly to the carrier’s sleepy dust. Not to mention it’s so much more of an experience for everyone involved when you can watch your child witness the same things you do, at the same level and be able take in their facial expressions and reactions.

Has there been anyone in your life that has made babywearing click for you or been a big help?

My partner, 100%. As cheesy as that sounds it is so amazing to have someone in your corner backing you up and supporting your parenting decision. The day I came to him and told him I ordered a baby carrier online he calmly replied, “cool, I can’t wait to see it.” From that point in he has become more involved and supportive, from helping me adjust a carry, not complaining about the money spent on new carriers and even wearing our children himself. He has seen how important this aspect of our life is to me and has been my rock and advocate for it and I could not have asked for more.

What is one piece of advice you would offer about babywearing?

Not every carrier and every carry will suit you and your baby. Every baby is individual, just as every parent and their needs are individual. Just because a friend boasts about how wonderful their Tula is doesn’t mean it will be all sunshine and rainbows for you. A parent who wants a carrier for quick up and downs with an active toddler isn’t likely going to want a woven wrap! It’s all about what works best for you and your family. Take advantage of the lending library and other mom’s that may have different carriers then you. Try them out, ask questions and when you find one you like don’t feel like you need to buy new.

What is your favourite carrier?

Tough question. I don’t think I really have a favorite at the moment since it really depends on my needs. For my toddler, I’m a big fan of our Toddler Tula. It’s been our go-to for over a year. For our newest little, I would say our Wrapsody Hybrid, although with winter wearing I tend to lean more heavily on my Sakura Bloom ring sling.

What is your favourite carry?

I’m a huge fan of baby carries since they completely free up your arms. I’m a short girl who tends to make big babies. My four month old is already wearing 9 month old clothes, so in front carries we spend a good deal of times face to face or with my chin on her head, so being able to back carry becomes instantly more comfortable for all of us.

If you could have any wrap/carrier (your ultimate DISO) what would it be?

Mom brain here, the kitty wrap? It’s woven, usually black and white with geometric type cat print on it and converted into a WCMT. Hello inner cat lady!