The Challenge

Andrea’s doula, Janine, contacted me and shared,  "My prior client, Andrea, reached out and is struggling unexpectedly out of the blue. Her baby, who is 8 months old, will not stop crying. She is at her wits' end, so I thought you might be able to help her."

Andrea texted me later that day. We had a brief text chat followed by a phone call. She has a sweet but suddenly very clingy 8‑month‑old, Maya, and is desperate for relief. 

"Maya begins to cry the moment she is set down—every. single. time. She cries if I give her to her dad, grandma, or even if she sees another person enter the house. I'm overwhelmed. She used to be fine, but now she is all tears. I don't know what's wrong!"

Errands felt impossible, afternoons were a slog, and Andrea worried that what she now understood as Maya’s separation anxiety would only get worse over the coming months.

“I feel trapped. As soon as I put Maya down so I can do something—even for a minute—she screams. I can't use the bathroom, get groceries, I can't work from home, and by lunchtime, we are both a wreck. My arms hurt, my mind hurts, my heart hurts. It was going so well, and then boom, it's all different.”

Our Path Together

We mapped out a simple plan to connect, and here is how that played out:

• Discovery Call: We had a 30-minute text and phone consult to better understand the situation, needs, and desired outcomes. Then, we set up a time to meet in person.

• First Session: We spent time observing Maya, discussing prior carrier experiences and current daily routines. We analyzed what's new for Andrea and what was happening now for Maya developmentally. We brainstormed options for different routines to meet both their needs and potential options for alternate caregivers to help out. 

Explored Carriers: We spent most of our time having fun and playing with different carrier options. Maya loved it, too. Andrea decided she wanted to upgrade to a new carrier after realizing her Ergo Embrace was no longer comfortable, which was a large part of why she wasn't using it. She wasn't sure which she preferred, so she borrowed three options to explore over the next few weeks - a buckle carrier, a half-buckle, and a ring sling. 

Daily Practice Plan: Before we parted, we created a follow-up plan. Andrea planned to do 30–45 minutes “wearing sessions” each morning, with an additional late afternoon 30-minute play, dance/movement session. She committed to exploring the different carriers and routines to see what might work for them. Additionally, Andrea decided to ask her husband to do an early evening stroll with Maya, without Andrea, to give them space and time together (and her some space, too). We agreed that if nothing improved in a few days, she would reach out to me; otherwise, she would text me if she had any issues with the carriers. We would connect again in about 12 days.

• Follow‑Up Session Day 12: In‑person meeting to return/exchange carriers, fine-tune her wearing comfort, and explore any troubleshooting. We'd exchanged a few texts over this time, so I brought her a woven wrap to test out. We spent time on the woven wrap and with her new ring sling. We discussed what Andrea could expect developmentally with Maya in the next few months and what that might look like while she was wearing her. We talked through alternative positioning, such as the hip and back carry. We set a time to meet again in a few weeks.

Andrea’s Reflection

“Those first few days were eye‑opening. Getting Maya outdoors earlier seemed to really help. She fussed less, but we both got more tired than I expected—good tired. I also realized I’d held my breath every time I set her down or someone popped over. With each day and wearing session, my confidence grew, and when I was worried, I texted Joanna. But about a week in, I really started seeing a big impact, and so did my husband. Funnily enough, my husband and I prefer different carriers, so now he has his own, and he and Maya enjoy their evening routine together. And I really enjoy some time to do what I need, whether that's work or time just to chill out.”

The Impact

After two weeks:

• Separation Anxiety Still There: But Maya settled quickly when carried and playing on the floor.

• Empowered Morning Ritual:

  1. Neighborhood walk

  2. Swing break at the park

  3. Quick errand (coffee or groceries)

  4. Nap-triggered homecoming

• Andrea's Energy Restored: She reclaimed her day, could work during nap time, found joy in the new morning routine, and discovered the love of the afternoon movement. And she had time to herself in the evening.

• Dad's Connection Strengthened: Dad loved his special 'Maya-time.' And Maya just started saying "Da!" in anticipation of their evening strolls, and he turned out to be the master of the night routine.
• Bonus Effect: Easier transitions to sleep. Naptimes shifted from frantic protests to gently drifting off, typically within 20 minutes.

Andrea’s Reflection, Part II

“It's been several weeks, and now, our mornings feel like our secret adventure. Maya giggles on the swing, waves at neighbors, and dozes off so peacefully when we get home. I actually look forward to errands—who knew grocery shopping could be this fun? Thanks to Joanna, I also better understand Maya and the world through her eyes. Babywearing is amazing; it's about so much more than just using the carrier. Everyone needs to know this stuff. It really changed my life.”

A Note from Me, Joanna.

Babywearing isn’t a static process; it's a dynamic process — just as Maya grows, the ways you carry her will evolve. Working with a babywearing educator is akin to having a guide to making daily life more manageable and less stressful. They'll help you tune in to your little one’s changing needs. And of course, help you update your wrapping technique or explore new baby carriers, all of which can make all the difference in harmony and health. 

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