Accessory or Appendage (Opinions Please)

PressLove

Excuse my ignorance, but I'm new to the wearing baby concept.  I think it is a wonderful idea and would like to implement it.  Unfortunately, I don't know anyone who has done it IRL. I've done some reading, but I'm interested to hear what you ladies think.

I've seen discussions on what types of wraps/slings to purchase.  I'm interested to hear how often do you wear the baby?  Do you strap the LO on and go about your chores?  Any words of wisdom?

TIA

PressLove

Thanks, ladies.

ElTrain5

^I would love that twice if I could.

rainbowdashh

I'm not wearing my daughter much anymore because it's getting more difficult, but I would wear her anywhere. Anytime we were in public, I would wear her. It was just a lot easier for me. Now I wear her if I'm trying to cook or clean and she wants me to hold her. I've used an ergo, tula, ring slings, and woven wraps. Find a babywearing group near you so you can try things on to get a feel for what you like.

dmizak

I didn't do a whole lot the first time around, but sometimes putting him in the Moby wrap was the only thing to get him to sleep. I loved it, except it had too much material. I see myself using one now that I'll have 2. I think I'll use the advice of @joules235 and get a K'Tan breeze to try out.

Mztwilson

I've never baby worn either. So I'm starting off with the k'tan and I'll go from there

k318

I wore ds a lot when he was tiny (under 5 months). I wore him on walks, to the grocery store and when we was brand new and always wanted to be held I wore him around the house when I was cleaning. I used the infantino front 2 back. This started hurting my back when he was getting bigger. I wore him once in it while pregnant and he was maybe 18 pounds or so and my back killed me for a day so I haven't done it since..

This time around, I got a baby k'tan breeze at recommendations from this board and because i plan on wearing dd a lot this summer and it will be hot.

LindsayDesigner

We were given a Bjorn so we used that. I would wear Mina when she was fussy and I needed to get things done around the house. We would both wear her for walks and other outings. I think this time around we'll invest in a better carrier that supports the baby's hips.

babygabe614

I'm a FTM but plan to wear LO quite a bit in the beginning, for a number of reasons. One being my DH will be going back to work after one week so I will need some free hands at times during the day, so wearing her might make more sense in those instances, and also to keep people from touching her too much while she's little and too young for immunizations. I will have to bring her to the grocery store with me and have gotten some good tips from STMs that wearing her will help ward off touchy-feely strangers.

I am planning to use the K'Tan Breeze to start and then the Ergo when she is a bit bigger.

PressLove

I hadn't thought about the touching thing.  Score another point for wearing baby.

FutureMrsW9

joules235 I'm looking at the K'Tan carriers now per your recommendation...are the sizes based on baby's size, or mommy's size?  Like if I wear a large top, would I order a Large size K'Tan?  

Mztwilson

@FutureMrsW9 said:

joules235 I'm looking at the K'Tan carriers now per your recommendation...are the sizes based on baby's size, or mommy's size?  Like if I wear a large top, would I order a Large size K'Tan?  

From what I've read you order the size you wore prepregnancy. So if you wore a large you order a large

Eta I'm also ordering the k'tan breeze per this boards recommendation. see ladies your opinions really do matter

Damnliz

Never really wore my first baby.... But I wore my second baby constantly. Especially food shopping!! It is truly helpful for when you need your hands free. Can you picture it now? I'll be food shopping soon with a 4yr old, a 2yr old and a newborn. Baby wearing is a necessity. I used a Moby wrap when baby is small (hard to figure out at first, I watched a lot of you tube videos) and an Ergo when the babes got bigger. Hope this helps you.

rainbowdashh

Muffinhny said:

Stupid question alert...

Does babywearing or do you think babywearing can cause LO to become too dependent? Not able to self soothe/be put down, etc.?

I have two "friends" who both recently had babies in January and they have totally different parenting styles. One seriously won't put the kid down for even 2 minutes because he will fuss. She sleeps (if you can call it sleep) sitting up in a chair holding him. Won't put him down to clean house and begs people on FB to come over and play with the baby so she can clean. The other seems to be able to have LO nap anywhere and she feels 100 times better (recovery wise) than the one who is attached at the hip to her son.

I haven't decided which way to go yet with babywearing..

 

 

I don't think that babywearing creates the inability to self soothe or be independent. Every baby is different so it's really hard to compare two people's experiences.

Mztwilson

@muffinhny I don't think baby wearing would cause that. I'm sure that has a lot to do with babies personality. Some babies like to be held others don't. Most grow out of that stage by 1 I believe. Atleast that's been my experience

dmizak

I learned in "The Happiest Baby on The Block" that if we were physically able, it would be best for baby to stay in the womb for 3 more months. So you can't "spoil" the baby by holding him/her too much for the first few months.

I really likes that book, I recommend it. Like everything else, apply what you feel comfortable to your baby and situation.

PressLove

dmizak said:

I learned in "The Happiest Baby on The Block" that if we were physically able, it would be best for baby to stay in the womb for 3 more months. So you can't "spoil" the baby by holding him/her too much for the first few months. I really likes that book, I recommend it. Like everything else, apply what you feel comfortable to your baby and situation.

I'm reading this book.  I second the recommendation.

BMaidPlanner

So....truth....I don't know anything about attachment parenting. That's how this babywearing thing started? I just figured that I live in a busy city and travel primarily by subway/walking so it would be a lot easier on short trips to wear the baby and not have to navigate a stroller through crowds/public transportation/steps.

jshrop

Baby wearing/crafty moms! Is there a stretchy fabric out there that is lightweight that I can use instead of the heavy jersey for a DIY Moby wrap? I'm worried about how hot the wrap will be in June/July

ncbelle

Babywearing is just practical!  Yes, it's something many attachment parents do - but it's also something many people who just want to have free hands do

I've got loads of babywearing info in my siggy link - and I'm totally a babywearing pusher!  

As for the "too attached" question - you simply cannot make a small infant "too attached" by giving them love an attention.  Some babies, regardless of parenting, need more touch than others.  Both of my kids were worn a LOT and both of them are very independent (at almost 3 and 5).  There's a general misconception about attachment parenting being "coddling" which is absolutely isn't!

But like I said, babywearing isn't just an AP thing - it's just a parenting thing

rainbowdashh

@jshrop, check out thebabywearer.com. They have some DIY tutorials. Or if you're on fb you can look at the group babywearing love and support (silly name but they have DIY resources too). There are certain fabrics that should be used and some to avoid!

BMaidPlanner

joules235 said:

BMaidPlanner said:

So....truth....I don't know anything about attachment parenting. That's how this babywearing thing started? I just figured that I live in a busy city and travel primarily by subway/walking so it would be a lot easier on short trips to wear the baby and not have to navigate a stroller through crowds/public transportation/steps.

Babywearing has been practiced in numerous cultures for thousands of years. IT is just so practical if you need to get things done with a newborn in the house/yurt/tepee...

Love it. Thanks! I just assumed with zero knowledge it was something I would do. Glad to know my instincts are in touch. I also really want to stay in a yurt.