Woven

A few weeks ago, M and I were at a birthday party.  One of the mothers in attendance wore her little one in a colourful, woven ring sling.  Encircled by the woven fabric of the sling, her newborn breastfed, then slept contently in her mother’s arms for the duration of the birthday party.  I found myself thinking back to when I had purchased my first woven wrap.  I remember how wearing M felt akin to carrying him in my womb.  Since I had carried him for nine months, it was instinctive and instinctual to carry him in arms as I continued to sustain him with my breast milk.  I treasure the time that I spent wearing M and all the benefits that arose from keeping my baby close, especially in the fourth trimester.   Whether you use a ring sling like the one pictured above, or another kind of carrier, it is both reassuring and comforting for the mother and child, to keep baby close.

In the womb he was woven

a child birthed

Within a sanctuary called home

From womb to breast

in the afternoon light

I hold him.