Too much babywearing?

[PeachBaby]

Is it possible to do too much babywearing? DS sometimes is okay in it but other times he wants to get out. I do EC and he is still ebf so I do have to get him out every so often anyway, but sometimes I feel guilty putting him right back in (so I can get much needed things that need to be done accomplished) when I think he sometimes prefers freedom and not constraint. Sometimes he struggles when I put him in and sometimes he struggles after he's been in there awhile.

How often do you babywear? Should I let him out (and not get things done) or should I keep him in and try to entertain him so he stops struggling hopefully?

[Blueone]

Well, that's though. Can you never get things done when he's down? Sometimes my boy will play happily on his mat for quite a while just wiggling around. But I would say, if he wants out and you are someplace where you can put him down (like at home), put him down and let him have play time. However, sometimes you just can't put them down, like when you're on a walk or in a store.

It's up to you really, but that's just my thought.

OH, when you put him in and he's protesting, does he calm down after?

[PeachBaby]

it's really difficult to get anything done. if i set him down, he starts to crawl all over the place and i have to watch him so he doesn't hurt himself. he likes being active. he will play sitting with toys for a very short while and then he's off crawling. i know some people have things to put baby in (I hear so much about the thing in the doorway that babies love to bounce in), but let's just say that buying those things are not an option for us at the moment.

actually, he does really good when i start walking and is also good practically all the time when shopping. it's just at home. but at home is when i'd like to get things done and i can't always be walking around doing certain things that need to be done.

i'd say about 90-95% of the time he calms down after i put him in, but still, i think he wants out sometimes.

[lifeguard]

At home I have my livingroom & diningroom area set up so I don't have to be watching him at all times. I wouldn't go upstairs & leave him while I clean the bathrooms or do laundry but I will go into the kitchen & clean or cook with him in the livingroom/diningroom. I can still see him but I don't have to see what he is doing every second 'cause I know that area is safe.

Can you not let him play in the area you are working in? How long each day are we talking about.

There are some things I have just accepted are not going to get done when I'm home alone with ds & therefore have to wait until dh is home (like carrying junk up & down the stairs - it's just too tricky to do so & have it be safe with our set up).

[busylizzybee]

Can you post a request on Craigslist or whatever the equivalent is in your area for one of the baby exercisers? I got ours free from a woman who was closing a day home. Our little one just started crawling a couple of weeks ago so I hear you! Sometimes they need to get those wiggles out and although DD only bounces for 10 or 15 min. she loves it and sometimes it's the only chance I get to do a chore or two.

[Kutie.Pie]

I was going to suggest the same thing as the pp. I got a play mat for my DS for $8 off of craigslist (the play mat retails for $65 online). You can find really great deals and even find stuff for free. My DS will fall asleep in my wrap for awhile, but after awhile he starts wiggling, wakes himself up, and then wants out of the wrap. I hope you can find a good solution.

[Blueone]

I would agree with Lifegaurd. Try to set up a place that is safe to leave him alone to play. You can also leave a baby monitor in there so that you can hear everything going on too. Or, you can just wait until he goes to bed or goes down for nap to get things done too.

[nextcommercial]

I think he needs time to go play too. Can you imagine only being in one postition all the time? Even if you are being moved around, you'd still like to use your muscles, and even get into a little mischeif every now and then.

I'd create him a perfect space that he can play and get into things, and even make a mess.

Getting hurt is part of life. That's how we learn. Of course, there's a difference between hitting himself in the head with a toy dumptruck, and pulling a tv on top of himself. But, that's where you make sure you have childproofed the area you choose to use.

It's not hard to find free baby gates. You have to ask around, but usually people are happy to let you have them.

You can also create a space with furniture.

Toys are cheaply made with recycled materials. Most kids are happy with an empty gatorade bottle (glue the lid closed) with scraps of paper and colored macaroni and rice inside. You can throw the couch cushions on the floor for him to climb around on.

[Michigan Mama]

I'm a babywearer, too and it does really help in being able to get things done around the house... I'm also a physical therapist, and that side of me knows that my baby neeeeds time to play on the floor or wherever. They need that time to develop both cognitively and physically. So, I agree with all the suggestions on finding a safe space for him so you can be at peace and baby can play.

It's a challenge, that's for sure. Good luck!