What do you think of baby wearing?
May 24th, 2010 / 3 Comments
(See the first 7 hot button issues in the series: #1 co-sleeping, #2 homeschooling, #3 spanking, #4 childhood immunizations, #5 medicating children , #6 the cry it out method, #7 breastfeed or bottle)
Here is my take on #8 in the series of the Top Ten Hot Button parenting issues, according to wptv.com
Today, Hot Button Issue #8 – “Parents that participate in baby wearing openly receive criticism and ridicule from strangers. Some parents believe a baby needs to held as often as possible, while some say the baby will be spoiled and not learn how to self soothe.”
I don’t understand why baby wearing is considered some sort of fad or a new concept. I have a baby sling sewn by my mother-in-law that she used with her babies. It’s not cute and modern as the ones in the stores nowadays, but it’s practical and useful. She would wear her baby so her hands are free to do endless housework that women had to do in the “old days.”
Now with the advent of modern conveniences, we put the baby down in a swing, a bouncer, or a playpen when we are doing work. Then you gotta have a baby monitor and get up to check on him. Baby wearing seems to be much more convenient and natural way to nurture.
Unless the mom is a weight-lifter, baby wearing can only be done in the first few months of your baby’s life. In those few months when the child is only an infant, I doubt spoiling him is an issue. Having mommy close by brings comfort and security that I think is healthy for emotional development.
When my children were babies, I held them as much as I can. That’s probably what gave me poor posture and back problems now! That’s the only drawback that I can see.
What do you think of baby wearing?
Next Hot Button Issue: Young kids and cell phones.
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[…] Next Hot Button Issue – baby wearing. […]
[…] (See the first 8 hot button issues in the series: #1 co-sleeping, #2 homeschooling, #3 spanking, #4 childhood immunizations, #5 medicating children , #6 the cry it out method, #7 breastfeed or bottle, #8 baby wearing) […]
i wore my baby on my front until he got way too heavy and then wore him on my back! I used a sling and then a mei tai. I think it really needs to be done safely to protect the airway and also to make sure the kid doesn’t fall out. I know someone whose baby girl dropped out of her bjorn cuz the clips failed (she is OK now). Be careful of used or old carriers. I’m a big believer in ALL CLOTH carriers with maybe just a metal or plastic ring so you don’t depend on plastic clips. I Loved carrying my kid around it it was both convenient to be arms free and fun. The only not fun part was when they spit up on you and the carrier. I think it definitely fostered our attachment and I got so much work stuff done at the computer, at the grocery store, etc. Dr. Sears is a great resource on baby wearing in his books.
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