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Attachment Parenting
boogerbearoriginal
member
Toddler-wearing at home
boogerbearoriginal
member
LO just turned 1, I haven't been wearing him much around the house since around 6-7m. I can count on one hand the number of times I have worn him since he started crawling at 8m.
Now he's walking, and napping less, I've found it's harder to get stuff around the house because he wants to be with me but gets into everything. Shocking for a toddler right! 
So I was thinking if I started wearing him to do chores, like pick up the house, laundry, vacuum, etc. that would be helpful but I don't know if it's advisable? I don't like to keep him "trapped" too often, I know it's so important for his development - mental and physical - to explore his world. But sometimes we need to get stuff done!
FWIW he likes being worn and won't fuss much unless I kept him on for a really long time or wasn't moving around.
How often do you wear your toddler at home? Or is it more something you reserve for places LO can't walk/be in the stroller easily like hiking or busy shopping centers?
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Re: Toddler-wearing at home
I think they like being up high, there's a lot of new things to see. It's totally okay to wear them, especially if it means you can get some stuff done and keep him happy at the same time.
DS2 - Oct 2010 (my VBAC baby!)
I like this idea but LO doesn't lol. I don't know if it's because I work or just his personality but when I'm home he wants me interacting with him 80-90% of the time. Part of the 'problem' is he wants me to play with him, or hold his hands and do laps around the house (even though he can/will walk on his own) or he brings a book for me to read or whatever silly baby idea gets in his brain.
FWIW I hate calling it a problem, because I love playing with him and interacting, but sometimes it's tough because I need to cook dinner or whatever. I am getting more excited for him to get a touch older/physically able to do more because I think he's going to be a great helper.
I guess the bottom line is I'm struggling a bit with balancing his needs with the chores in the household. I feel like wearing him could provide the closeness he's wanting while still enabling me to get things done. But I do worry about not allowing him sufficient time to roam/explore.
Sometimes toddlers do want to be held - and they will let you know for sure when they want down! I wear my kids in the house whenever they ask to go up or when they are being fussy and want to be held but I need to get stuff done. Sometimes Eleanor will stay up for half an hour. Lots of times she wants a 10 minute snuggle on my back and then she asks for down.
I wouldn't worry about "trapping" him - he'll let you know if he's over it and there's plenty that he is "mentally exploring" while riding along with you ;-)
Breastfeeding Counselor with Breastfeeding USA
Babywearing Guide ** Newborn Carriers
Cloth Diaper Guide
Safe Bed Sharing Info
This fits us to a T.
More Green For Less Green
Is he 1 on 1 with a family member or babysiter during the day, or in a group setting? If he's 1 on 1, he may be used to his caregiver's undivided attention. My DS is with my MIL and we had some of these issues. He is also an only child, so he is the star of the show wherever he goes. He started Children's Day Out at our church and being a group setting has done him a world of good.
Most days he's with Dad or babysitter, and 1 day a week he's with Aunt and 2 cousins, and our first so he's the only one right now. I think you've keyed in on a good point, a lot of it may be that he's just accustomed to getting lots of attention.
Of course yesterday he was happily toddling around the backyard without me holding his hand. Kids, always out to prove you wrong lol. I'm hopeful that part of it is him just getting better at walking that will lead him to less need of the hand-holding too.
My only other suggestion is that sometimes you have to let things slide. My house is up to toddler standards and that is about it.
And I did not mean to suggest that wearing a toddler is wrong. My daughter just does not tolerate it and I have had to come up with other ways to occupy her when I can't just sit on the floor with her. And also I don't like the idea that babies always have to be contained to get things done.
I also think this is a great age to start thinking about the difference between needs and wants. He needs you to be close by, but he does not need you to read a story RIGHT NOW! One thing Ro likes is music. So I turn on some music while prepping dinner and she and I dance and sing along. I can do that in quick spurts while cooking at the same time. Or I just jabber away to her about what I am doing, or I play fetch with her (yes, she loves that game). She may not be getting exactly what she wants at that point, but she has my attention and she's learning at the same time.
But, if he likes to be worn, then problem solved.