Baby Wearing Across the Globe

Good photos of diverse babywearing:

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ethnicbabycarriers/pool/

Most of the photos have notations on where they were taken.

I used my arms.

I've gotten REALLY good at doing things 1 handed. I can cook, wash dishes, sign receipts, read, type, do car repairs, nurse, clean ALL one handed. ((kiddo hated hated hated being confined, but loved being carried. I had things to do, so I just did them. I tried several crutches (slings, wraps, papooses, kangaroo pouches, moby, etc.) none worked -including strollers- except the steel frame backpack for hiking)).

I was good one handed until kiddo hit the 40lb mark (at about age 2... also 37.5 inches tall), and then we switched things up, and he rode on my shoulders or back when he didn't use his own legs. Of course then I was STILL one handed (when he used his legs) because I needed to hold his hand.

I used a sprout pouch and I LOVED it! I was so sad when my son was too big to fit in it. I wish they could just stay little forever!

I used an ergo....loved it. can wear in the front or back. it is a soft 'baby bjorn'

also used 'over the shoulder baby holder'

hth jilly

I have 3 different baby carriers that i've used with both of my babies. A sleepy wrap (my first baby's favorite--the only place he would sleep for the first 4 months of his life!), a Maya wrap (my 7 month old daughter's favorite, i wear her in it every single day) and a Infantino backpack one that my husband carries our 2 year old in when we all go hiking.

I use the Moby, front wearing when baby and back when toddler (but I need help, so when I can).

In Mexico is still very popular using a "rebozo", I think the easiest way to describe it is like a big scarf, enought big to put your baby in the center and then wrap the rebozo around you and make a knot to hold it in.
Rebozos are also used as a decorative, guard of cold or even the sun in many rural parts.
http://www.pvmirror.com/mexicomirror/185-mmirror-ing.html
Also of course is in our hips, and although is not recommended for your back, I believe that hips are natural way to carry my kids when they were old enough to be carried with one hand and the side of the hip.

Check out thebabywearer dot com. It's full of babywearing resources.

I use my moby still to this day with my 3 year old. I also still where him in my Ergo too. I just depends on what we are doing. He loves to pass out in them though. I am going to be soooo sad once he is to heavy for me to handle or he is too big to where anymore. I dont know anyone who has ever attempted to carry anyone bigger then four in one. Not to mention he is tall for his age so if he gets any bigger i can only imagine how silly we are going to look.

I wont stop though until my back hurts or he says no mommy.

I live in the Middle East where women essentially carry their babies in their arms. Newborns are carried swaddled with the blanket or an extra one nearly covering their heads and faces - not so much that the babies are smothered (God forbid) but so that they are protected from sun and wind. Women often go shopping while carrying their babies in their arms. Stollers are available but not nearly as prevelent as in Europe or America. And most often, kids aren't put in strollers till they are sitting well or are over a year.

Hope that can help you. It sounds like interesting research.