It’s 1pm and it’s time to get out of the house to meet mama C. and little L. at the Barbican Centre. When you have a baby, forget about leaving the house in 5 minutes. Nothing is straight forward and there’s no chronology to the order I do things anymore. Firstly, I put on my shoes. Then, the my jacket and all the bags that I need for the trip. I normally make sure that the house keys are in a handy place, because, when I don’t do it, it’s a bloody problem finding them. This is when I start sweating and silently swearing (if possible)! I pick up Daphne in her Winter onesie (in Spring), the one that she hates wearing, and I start walking down three flights of steps to get to the pram. When we’re finally on the road, I feel like a superhero.

The journey to the Barbican was fairly easy. And, again, I felt like a winner when I got through the entrance doors. When I move around the city, I like pushing Daphne in the pram because she can sleep long hours in it. The problem is when I stop, because she wakes up and wants to stay on my body or close to me. This is why I bring the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One when I go to visit an art gallery: hands free to push the pram and a happy and calm baby in the carrier whilst mummy tries to understand the art in front of her. Walking, viewing the exhibition’s walls, I laugh inside as I notice how different the art experience is when you bring a baby along. First of all, because you’re pushing a pram, you can never get close enough to the works of art as you would block other people’s view or ability to get closer to the masterpiece. Literally, I didn’t get to read any of the picture tag because of this. I also couldn’t focus too much on what was surrounding me because mama C. and I were constantly chatting. I’m sure all the visitors hated us for being noisy and taking up floor space with our bulky prams. We couldn’t help it. At the end of the day, art meet-up, coffee meet-up or walks with other mums, are just a way to get to know someone that may understand you and your need to get out of the house. It allows me to have a normal/adult conversations after a long day spent entertaining my baby and reading baby books for hours on end I might add. It’s for my mental health! It took me a while, but in the end, I decided to enjoy the visit without worrying too much about what other people were thinking.

The most wonderful thing is that when Daphne cries for milk, I just pull up my top and feed her whilst she’s sat in the comfort of her BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One. Double win! It was literally so easy and I doubt anyone realised that I was walking around the exhibition with a boob out breastfeeding. They do state said no food or drinks in the gallery but I thought they would make exceptions in these cases.

I have to admit, I didn’t feel confident right away about carrying my baby in the BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One. But this is something I had from the beginning with almost every piece of equipment bought for the baby. I was scared of pushing the pram on the road, moving the bouncer in the apartment where I needed it to be or even bathing the baby, worried that I could harm her in some way with the lukewarm water and the plastic tub. My first trip to Italy forced me to overcome my fears and it made me feel a bit more confident about having my daughter hanging in front of me. It seemed she enjoyed it, although she was very small and not even 2 months old! I tested it again at the Tate Modern, the Barbican and another trip to Italy. The other day, we went for a walk in the countryside – near my parents’ house – and I used it again. I find it very light and easy to wear and I think Daphne feels very comfortable in it as she always enjoys long sleeps. The fact that I can feed her easily when I use it is another big plus for me.

If you’d like to know more about the baby carrier that I use, continue to read the below:

The new BabyBjörn Baby Carrier One, and Baby Carrier One Air have been designed with the help of 100 real families, along with paediatricians, babywearing practitioners and medical experts. Every feature has been analysed and created for the ultimate comfort and support for both you and your baby. Perfect carrying ergonomics for hours of happy babywearing, supporting your growing baby’s neck, hips and spine perfectly, while you have your hands free.

So what’s new?

• The head support is higher and designed with a fully adjustable buckle, which gives both newborns and older babies greater neck support.

• The seat area now has an even wider maximum position with fully adjustable settings for the perfect position for your little one.

• There is less fabric between you and your baby which enhances the dreamy bonding experience and breathability of babywearing; you will be able to see and feel that your baby is sitting in a natural position, with their back in a “C” curve.

• The padding in the shoulder straps is brand new, to offer even more weight distribution across your shoulders and back, for hours of comfy carrying

• The mesh used in the Baby Carrier One Air is made from a new patented fabric that’s been specifically developed to be even more breathable and feel extra soft against your baby’s delicate skin.