did i wait to long to babywear?

hey_little_bird · June 2012

i have not done much babywearing with my daughter, who is 9 weeks old. i intended to wear her when i was out, shopping and such, but didn't see much point to it when i'm at home. she is either in my arms, nursing, or she naps in her rock n play. she is awake and alert more these days, but i still wither hold her or play with her while she sits in the rock n play (i like to play with her when she is facing me so she can actually make eye contact).

so far i have tried to wear her a few times with poor results. i have a ring sling, a moby, and an infantino sash mei tai.

every time i wear her she is okay for a little while, but eventually starts crying and wants OUT. as soon as she is out of the carrier she is fine.

i'm not sure if it's because she is uncomfortable, or gets too hot, or just doesn't like it. i read somewhere that sometimes babies don't like to be wor by their mothers when they are very young because they are too close to the boobs and not getting to eat.

someone please advise me! i want badly to be able to wear her when out, or to take walks, but she just doesn't seem into it.

i'm moving to New York City next month and i need to be able to wear her, because i refuse to buy a stroller and take it on the subway.

thanks!

nosoup4u · June 2012

I would wait until DS1 was ready to nap before putting him in the carrier. I'd nurse him, make sure he had clean pants, and in he'd go. It did usually take a walk around the block at first to get him calmed down, but he eventually got used to it. They definitely don't need much clothing, especially in the wraps.

I'd just keep trying once a day and take her out when she gets upset.

jcsumm0 · June 2012

I definitely don't think you waited too long. My LO was almost 2 months old before she weighed enough to go in my carrier, and I still wear her now. When she was really small, though, she would often be fussy in the carrier unless you were really moving--not just wandering around the house moving, walking at a quick place. Once I got moving, she was very calm and often feel asleep.

HTH!

bunniekrissy · June 2012

I don't think you waited too long. My LO hated it until he was at least 3 months (can't remember) and we didn't try right away (I would just hold him all day!), but he's fine with it now at 6 months.

hey_little_bird · June 2012

I just have her dressed in a onesie and socks, usually; but she still gets quite warm (so do I!)

I used the mei tai and she fell asleep in it when I was walking around the grocery store for nearly an hour, but once she woke up she was very upset. When I took her out she had red marks on her legs. She was kind of sitting on her feet, which may have been a problem, but she's not big enough for legs out yet.

I do legs out in the moby (hug hold) and legs out in the ring sling because she seems more comfortable. She isn't happy in those carriers for very long (sometimes I can walk around outside for 5 minutes, sometimes 15).

I am trying to take her for a little walks outside around my apartment every day to slowly get her used to it. I need to practice my techniques with the carriers anyway!

Thanks for the input, gals!

pixieprincss · June 2012

9 weeks is definitely not too late. So, rest assured that you will get this figured out.

Developmentally, baby can be legs out at any age. If the bottom of the MT is too wide, cinch it with a ribbon or hair band.

In terms of being close to boobs--if you are nursing, try feeding baby in the carrier. There are loads of videos on You Tube if this seems daunting (it did to me).

When you move, check out one of NYC's multiple babywearing groups to get tips, help, and make some friends.

I love your "little bit every day" strategy!