He HATES it...

[AFWife]

DS is 4 weeks going on 5 at this point. Okay, I got a sling at a baby shower. The first time I tried it worked because he was sleeping and exhausted. The second time I tried to put him in it he started screaming. Well, I looked into it and it was a size too big for me...and he hates not being able to see. So, I returned it to Babies-R-Us and got a Baby Bjorn carrier. (I've read the thread about it being bad...*sighs*) Well, the first two times I tried it (once facing me and once forward facing) he screamed and fought until I took him out. The only time I've ever had him successfully in it I had to put him in while he was asleep.

I REALLY dont' want to buy one of those carrier things (ILs are pushing the issue) I really want to wear him but so far it's looking like he hates the idea. He doesn't mind being carried everywhere and I'll do that until he can walk if I have to.

Ideas? Help from experienced mamas?

TIA

[Devaskyla]

It could just be the type of carriers or the position he was in in them. The best thing to try is to make sure he's in a good mood, fed & changed. Put him on& get moving. My kids usually look around a bit & fall asleep. When they've been fussy in the carrier, I've had to wiggle & bounce & dance around to get them calm. Then they fall asleep. I mostly used a wrap with ds2 & a MT with ds3.

[rachelsmama]

There are a lot of other carriers and positions that might be more comfortable. Ring slings and wraps offer a lot of different positions, although some (but not all) people have trouble learning to use them. Mei tais are pretty versatile, and easy, but not as popular with tiny babies. If you have a suitably sized table cloth or shawl you could try tying it rebozo style. The thing that really got my kids hooked on being worn was breastfeeding them while wearing them. As Ds gained head control he got easier to keep happy while being worn. Are there any playgroups, LLL meetings or anywhere in your area where babywearing moms tend to congregate? If there are you could ask to try on a variety of styles.

I assume by your reaction that the carrier thing your IL's are pushing for is an infant carseat (baby bucket).

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by rachelsmama

There are a lot of other carriers and positions that might be more comfortable. Ring slings and wraps offer a lot of different positions, although some (but not all) people have trouble learning to use them. Mei tais are pretty versatile, and easy, but not as popular with tiny babies. If you have a suitably sized table cloth or shawl you could try tying it rebozo style. The thing that really got my kids hooked on being worn was breastfeeding them while wearing them. As Ds gained head control he got easier to keep happy while being worn. Are there any playgroups, LLL meetings or anywhere in your area where babywearing moms tend to congregate? If there are you could ask to try on a variety of styles.

I assume by your reaction that the carrier thing your IL's are pushing for is an infant carseat (baby bucket).

Yes, this. They think I need a different carseat (mine is one that goes from 5 to 100lbs convertible thing) and it needs to be the baby bucket kind.


I really don't see many parents wearing their children around here...well, a couple in the BB thing like I have but that's it. Everyone else has a baby bucket.

[rachelsmama]

As long as your baby fits properly in the carseat you have you don't "need" a bucket. Leaving a baby in the bucket too much is really quite bad for them anyway, and carrying a baby around in one is horrible for your back.

If you don't see a lot of babywearing mamas around, then your best bet might be to get a couple different styles of used carriers to try out, or to make your own. If you buy a used carrier and don't like it you can sell it again, and possibly get most of your money back. You could check the trading post on here, or on thebabywearer.com, or even e-bay. If you want to make your own there are lots of tutorials online, but the best sites I've found for instructions are http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/index.html and of course thebabywearer.com

[AnnR33]

Hang in there and keep trying. Some babes need some time to get used it or they like being held in different positions. My 3rd one loved being held in a pouch but would arch and yell when I put him in a mei tai (2 shoulder carrier similar to a bjorn). I kept carrying him in the pouch but waited a week and tried the other carrier again. Again he yelled. I tried it a few more times over the next weeks and at about 3 mos he was fine. He was just needing some time to get used to different positions I think. I wore him in carriers until he was about 2 yrs old.

I'm not an advocate of the Bjorn but if you can get your hands on a sling that is the right size I'd suggest watching the videos here:
http://zolowear.com/Wearing.aspx
They may help you out in positioning.

Good luck

[rachelsmama]

Originally Posted by AnnR33

a mei tai (2 shoulder carrier similar to a bjorn).

Mei tais and baby bjorns both use 2 shoulders, but that's pretty much the only similarity. For example, a mei tai puts the baby's legs/hips in a totally different position (sitting position or froggy position instead of dangling by the crotch), and mei tais are much more adjustable, and can be used in more positions and with larger children. Also, they come in every conceivable colour and pattern, and you can make your own with pretty basic materials and skills. Can you tell that I LOVE : my mei tais?

[RasJi7]

Originally Posted by AFWife

Yes, this. They think I need a different carseat (mine is one that goes from 5 to 100lbs convertible thing) and it needs to be the baby bucket kind.


I really don't see many parents wearing their children around here...well, a couple in the BB thing like I have but that's it. Everyone else has a baby bucket.

We never had the infant carseat/bucket THING

Used the convertible carseat from birth. I loved using a moby wrap when my son was tiny. and then i used a pouch sling with him in a upright position facing me, similar to how his body would be in the moby wrap but his legs and feet would be inside the pouch, sorry someone else can probably explain this better, if not just pm me. Neither of us ever liked the cradle carry much.