Do you feel like you have to make babywearing look easy in public?

[limabean]

I just got a Beco a couple of weeks ago, so I'm still on the learning curve for being able to use it gracefully.

Yesterday I was in the grocery store parking lot trying to get everything situated to carry DD in a front-carry with it, and somehow the waist straps got threaded through the side straps and I didn't notice, so I kept trying to snap the clip on the back of my waist and it was pulling the body of the carrier in all kinds of crazy directions, and it took me a few minutes to figure it out. Luckily DD hung out patiently in her carseat while I got it all figured out, but there were two women chatting near me in the parking lot, and although they looked perfectly nice and didn't say or do anything to indicate that they had any negative thoughts, I was so acutely aware of them, and worried that I was making babywearing look complicated or unsafe or something!

Today when we went out I actually got the waist strap and top buckle fastened while I was still in the driver's seat so that I could just step out and gracefully pop DD into the carrier and snap the shoulder buckles to make it look easier and like I'm not a complete moron.

Has anyone else felt this (self-imposed) pressure to make it look easy?

[sisteeesmama]

I have felt that way, but can easily enough redirect my own self to a more postive mentality.....yeah for redirection!

[limabean]

Originally Posted by sisteeesmama

I have felt that way, but can easily enough redirect my own self to a more postive mentality.....yeah for redirection!

Well bully for you.

[icy02]

I feel that way sometimes getting into the moby in public. It's not that I cant it situated fast enough, but it isn't very graceful I guess. I think maybe we are just more aware of others than they are of us. Although putting on a moby does attract some questions...

[sisteeesmama]

Originally Posted by limabean

Well bully for you.

Is this being mean? I was just trying to make a joke about redirection because I am constantly redirecting my 18mo dd.....

[Sasharna]

Yes, I do feel this way. Today as I was finishing up my shopping, LO started to fuss in his ring sling and I was sure to say "OH, YOU'RE HUNGRY!" very loudly as I rearranged him to nurse. I didn't want anybody to think he was crying because the sling was uncomfortable. I would hate to be the cause of someone deciding not to try out babywearing, y'know?

[Everrgreen]

Um yes - did you see my thread on my first back carry in public being a mess . And I've been practicing at home before I ventured out into public. I definitely did some damage to babywearing's rep today

[Rowansmama]

Originally Posted by Sasharna

Yes, I do feel this way. Today as I was finishing up my shopping, LO started to fuss in his ring sling and I was sure to say "OH, YOU'RE HUNGRY!" very loudly as I rearranged him to nurse. I didn't want anybody to think he was crying because the sling was uncomfortable. I would hate to be the cause of someone deciding not to try out babywearing, y'know?

Hahahahahaha...yup, I've totally been there!

[_betsy_]

This is one of the reasons I opt for the pouch style sling when I'm getting in and out of the car a bunch. Or in the rain, like today. I had it on while driving, parked the car, got DD1 unbuckled from her car seat, got out, popped DD2 in the sling, opened the door to get DD1 out and we hurried through the parking lot to get out of the rain. An older woman who was standing by the door to the pharmacy we were going into actually said "You made that look easy!"

So, apparently, I made up for any awkwardness today, Gillian!

[limabean]

Originally Posted by sisteeesmama

Is this being mean? I was just trying to make a joke about redirection because I am constantly redirecting my 18mo dd.....

No!!! I'm so sorry -- I certainly see how it could come across that way. I've recently read several of your threads in Parenting so I "recognized" your name here and responded to you in a too-familiar way -- I'm sorry!

Typing just doesn't always convey the right intentions, even with smilies.