how do you get baby to like being worn?

ateach · March 2013

DD will be 10 weeks tomorrow and has never really liked being worn. I have a Beco Butterfly, Ergo, and Moby. She was a big baby (9 lb 4 oz at birth and well over 13 lbs now), but is still working on head support, so the Ergo isn't quite working yet. She never fit right in the Butterfly newborn insert, but she is also not ready to spread her legs the whole way. I used to try to froggy her in which worked okay but she fights to stretch them out (but screams if i try to spread then in the carrier). She tolerates the Moby for a few minutes and then squirms and cries. Ugh. I feel like she would like to face out which none of these carriers allow and I know it is not good for babies to face out anyways.

She has been very independent since birth. She prefers laying down in her crib to go to sleep rather than being rocked. She seems to get annoyed when she is held too long and really wants to lay on her own.

I'd really like to hold and wear her more, but she just fights it. Plus, we are moving somewhere not very stroller friendly in 2 weeks, so I will really need to wear her more.

Any advice?

Athena0809 · March 2013

I know that in our case what helped was to wear DS more. He hated it at first, and fro what I've seen on this board it is not an uncommon problem. Try small intervals through out the day, at home, outside, if the weather were you live allows it maybe going out for a walk? It seemed that being out helped DS get distracted and he would tolerate longer times. GL!

sugarbear0524 · March 2013

Sometimes you just have to roll with your baby's temperament. You will be a lot less frustrated mom if you do.

TiffanyBerry · March 2013

My daughter hated being worn unless she was facing out, in a Bjorn. Yeah, it's not good for them, but if you're not already dealing with possible hip dysplasia, it's really not the end of the world. When she was older and had good head control, she could go on my back (up high, so she could see), and then she was happier about being carried.

Give it time and some creativity!

BelhurstBride · March 2013

I understand the move is frustrating, but it sounds like you're either going to have to deal with her being irritated or take a break from BWing. Some kiddos are just not a fan.

You could try again in a couple of months when she's old enough for a back carry. She might be happier being able to see where she's going.

Temp123197812503460 · March 2013

sugarbear0524:
Sometimes you just have to roll with your baby's temperament. You will be a lot less frustrated mom if you do.

this. if your baby is happy to be on her own more then I would go with that. AP is all about meeting your babies needs, even if those needs are not for being held all the time.

Merried_2008 · March 2013

I wore my DS front facing in the moby. He loved it.

ncbelle · March 2013

Are you doing legs out in the moby? If not try that. You can also try the blanket trick in the buckle carriers - roll a blanket up for her to sit on so her legs aren't overspread and she's up in the carrier so that it doesn't come higher than th emiddle of her ear.

As everyone else said there's nothing wrong if she's happy chilling on her own. If you do need to wear her I think you will find that when out and about it will be different than trying to wear at home - many babies who fight being worn really need motion to be content.

ateach · March 2013

Thanks everyone. I am going to go try the Bjorn tomorrow as a last ditch effort before our move. Hopefully if she likes it we will be able to switch to the ergo afterwards. I have tried legs in and out if the moby and the blanket in the ergo, so those did not work. I haven't worn her out much because it has been freezing here most of her life and since she screams it has been hard to get situated in stores. It will be nicer this week so maybe we can practice more. Once we get to Africa I will have to wear her so maybe she will just get use to it. Thanks for the advice!

MommyKayla11 · March 2013

If your LO doesn't like it, then don't keep trying. In the end it's a good thing because it means you can have some time to yourself without holding the baby all the time!

ateach · March 2013

MommyKayla11:
If your LO doesn't like it, then don't keep trying. In the end it's a good thing because it means you can have some time to yourself without holding the baby all the time!

Like I said, we are moving to Africa and will not be able to use a stroller often, so I will HAVE to hold the baby out of necessity when I am out.

I ended up testing a Bjorn and she is much happier in it. I am hoping that I can use that for the next month or 2 until her legs can be spread more and then switch to the Beco Butterfly or Ergo.

Thanks for the advice!

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