I would never forget the day Garfield and I chose our baby carrier for Lady A at a little boutique in CT. Lady A was only about a week old but we knew that we wanted to carry her due to the benefits associated with it, such as babies crying less and the emotional development of the baby.Wearing her would also free up my hands.
We thought of Baby Bjorn but decided on a Mei Tai which we loved!
However, we know that baby wearing is not a new phenomenon but has been a way women have transported their babies for many years. In How Eskimos Keep Their Babies Warm and Other Adventures in Parenting, Hopgood writes, "Some mothers in Papua New Guinea used a hammock-like bag...The Chinese used a mei tai and the Japanese an onbuhimo, variations of cloth carriers sustained with straps. Welsh mothers used nursing shawls, and the Maoris in New Zealand wrapped their newborns in a band of lacebark or a cloak" (Hopgood 65).
It's pretty amazing how universal parenting can be and even hundreds of years later we can still benefit from what our ancestors knew all along.
Do you or did you carry your baby? How was your experience?
Christine
I was a compulsive baby wearer. I absolutely loved it and if I could catch my toddler I'd probably still try to get him in there. It was so convenient and kept my hands free so I could deal with my older son. Also great around the house too.
ReplyDeleteI love that it frees up your hands and my daughter always loved being in it.
DeleteI wore Lady C until she was about 18 or 19 months. I only stopped because she kind of looked at me like I was nuts for doing it. I loved it because my hands were free and I knew where that baby was every second!!!
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing how long you can use the carriers. I carried Lady A well past her first birthday. It definitely was one of the most used items.
Deletei used a carrier for all of them but only had great success with the first. believe it or not i got it as a gift at a baby shower - it was red and i think inexpensive, but it worked beautifully and the baby boy loved it. i carried him during the day during chores, while walking and sometimes at night when he wouldnt go to sleep i'd put him in the carrier and walk him to sleep. the girls did not fare so well - they were wriggly or the carrier was not comfortable for me and i determined that i was not paying exorbitant dollars for one. my son is 22 so this brought back memories.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great idea to use it in the middle of the night. I'm using the same carrier for the new baby and I got a little nostalgic when I took it out the first time in so many years.
DeleteI never had one although I wanted one. I use to carry around or struggle around with the carrier.. If I have another baby which I doubt I will I will be getting one so I can free my hands up.
ReplyDeleteIt's one of the best items I could have ever invested in for the baby.
DeleteI didn't carry my son but wish I had. I tried it a couple of times but the carrier I had was crappy.
ReplyDeleteA good and sturdy carrier with wide straps is a MUST otherwise it is awkward and heavy. I had a cheap and non-sturdy one and I threw it away.
DeleteI used the Baby Bjorn for as long as I could. It was so great because it soothed Aiden and it freed up my hands to do laundry, dishes... everything! It was a great experience and if/when I have another one, i fully plan on wearing that one as well.
ReplyDeleteI've heard great reviews of the Baby Bjorn. Carriers allowed me to get so much done in those early days.
DeleteI still wear my two year old. We use a sling at home, when she needs to feel close to me and an Ergo out and about, when I want to keep her close to me. ;- I've worn all my kiddos and so has my husband. When my two year old was a smaller baby, he would even wear her in wraps. Too cute.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing dads wearing their babies!
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