Self-Conscious while baby wearing... help?

duffmaker · July 2012

I love wearing DD in our ring sling but everyone always stares and thinks it's so cool, and they've never seen it before and she's so cute yadda yadda.... not that all that is a bad thing at all but it makes me super self-conscious and I don't know how to shake that. I would rather wear her but I find that I'm more inclined to use the stroller when we're in a really public place like the mall for example, all because I feel like this. I also always worry if I'm walking funny or not lol

Have any of you felt this way before? Help me shake it please please please... I really hate feeling this way I'm not one for attracting attention, I'm more of an invisible type girl.

SandiaPinaMama · July 2012

I used to get some flack from my family about "confining" DS to a carrier. I was persistent. Now no one says much of anything. Just be persistent. And, fake it til you make it. If you pretend like you feel totally confident about it long enough, you will be. Good luck.

Izybel18 · July 2012

I'm not sure how to help you from feeling self-conscious, but you're definitely not alone! I wear DD in the Ergo everywhere we go and people ALWAYS stare. They whisper (usually loudly enough so I can hear) to whoever they're with, or they randomly say things to the baby and expect me to respond. Honestly it's been one of the most frustrating things about having a baby!

Keep your head high and try not to look around too much. Act like you're in a hurry or that you just aren't hearing people. I think most strangers want ME to approach THEM so if I act like I have no desire to do that, they drop it. It sounds rude, but a good "smile, nod, walk away" works for me.

lwsnake · July 2012

First, you would probably get as much attention with him in a stroller. Cute baby's are irresistible. The number of conversations I've had with older ladies in the grocery store is ridiculous.

Second, you probably aren't attracting more attention than usual, the baby is. Unless you forgot to put pants on or something.

Practice your princess wave and enjoy it. In a few years they will be looking at you because your kid is in destruction mode.

beth2882 · July 2012

Do you have any friends that babywear? Maybe you could plan a few outings with them to help you feel less self-conscious. I first started because I have a friend that does and it just seemed so much easier than a stroller. Plus, I really liked snuggling with DD. Then, I started to notice more and more babywearers out and about. Some people comment, but I don't care. Its what is best for me and baby

missisue · July 2012

I don't think we've ever received negative attention while babywearing. Usually just comments about how cozy she looks in there, how cool the carrier is, how they wish they had things like that when they had kids, etc., etc. etc. I love spreading the babywearing love. Several of mine are DIY, so I love telling people that I made it when they ask where I got it. If they seem truly interested in obtaining one, I always point them to a couple of Web sites. Maybe it's where I live, but people have never said anything rude either directly or indirectly when we've been out and about babywearing. Either that, or I'm so frazzled trying to remember my shopping list that I don't notice.

FWIW, when I'm babywearing and a friend is pushing her kiddo a stroller, no one notices her baby. They all want to engage with mine because she's at eye level. I think it's great for her social development to see how I interact with strangers.

rae_dylanzmom · July 2012

lwsnake:
In a few years they will be looking at you because your kid is in destruction mode.

This. Enjoy!

LadyTyler · July 2012

I both wear LO in a sling and use our stroller for things like grocery shopping or going to the mall and I generally feel like people bother me LESS with him in a sling than in the car seat. Like someone else said, people seem to think that touching or bothering him is more acceptable when he is in the stroller. And no matter what I do (even with the car seat covered) people stop and demand to know about my baby. I agree with the idea that you just get attention either way because people love little babies.

duffmaker · July 2012

Thanks for all the input ladies! Hopefully I'll get over it soon, I think it's mostly all the stares. No one has ever said anything negative (except for FI's family who do exactly what PP said, go after be about "confining" her), it's just all the staring like I feel like I'm under constant scrutiny when really they probably don't even notice me lol

TucktheTurtle · July 2012

I get way more attention than I like when wearing S. It's all positive, but honestly, I'm at the store to shop, not socialize. It's bad enough that even though I love the look of Girasol rainbow wraps, I won't get one because they are sure to attract more attention.

Wrapping, and babywearing in general, is not very popular in my area, and I know most people have never seen a young, suburban girl with a baby on her back. I try to spread the babywearing love to people that genuinely seem interested, but more often than not people look at me like a circus freak.

I never got this much attention when it was just my older DD in her carseat.

bugsmami · July 2012

And to answer the "confined" comments (which I got more of as DS got older), I would just shrug and say "yep, that way he can't run away from me" or "at least I won't forget him at the store" with a smile.

ateal2490 · July 2012

It made me feel a bit more confident once I invested in a Moby. It seemed as though people were less likely stare or comment since the wrap makes baby a part of your body, pretty much. And its harder to get them out, so I have a great excuse not to hand her over when I don't want to. ::)

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