MDC mentioned in NYT story on babywearing

[*MamaJen*]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/11/fa...BABY.html?8dpc

[Forthwith]

Not a bad article! Most of the ones I've been reading either don't distiguish between different types of slings/wraps, or they illustrate an article about the dangers of bag slings with a safely used wrap. I've started wincing when I see links to articles. But that one is actually good!

[lalemma]

"Isolation pod" made me snort, but it also kind of irks me to see babywearers portrayed as rabid anti-stroller types. Yet another story trying to create BS divisions between parents.

[listipton]

Originally Posted by lalemma

"Isolation pod" made me snort, but it also kind of irks me to see babywearers portrayed as rabid anti-stroller types. Yet another story trying to create BS divisions between parents.

Agreed. I use wraps and strollers where appropriate.

[Super~Single~Mama]

Nice! I actually liked the article, and kind of agreed with the MDC portrayal. I know not all parents on here are "anti-stroller" but I've definitely seen my fair share of comments from people saying that strollers aren't necessary, that they've never owned one and never would.

It's great that babywearing is becoming so popular though!! It's such a great parenting tool, I can't imagine life without my carriers!

[Arduinna]

How typical of the NYT to label babywearing as caché and put so much focus on celebrities and "high end" as they call it carriers.

[ears73]

yeah, here we go w/all that celebrity crap... I know it is good for small business mammas and all but babywearing isn't a fashion statement, is it?

[Amys1st]

Just like strollers in the past 5 years or so, I hate to think there will now be "high end" wraps.
All you really need is a long piece of fabric or have someone who is crafty on the sewing machine to make you one. Then a few lessons from another mama or a trusty you tube video, you are good to go! I have helped other mamas in the park, in the mall, and even the ladies room once becuase they had trouble adjusting it.

When I first got my new native, I remember my MIL laying it flat to copy the pattern to make another one for me in a lighter color. I paid $25 for it on our TP here. I also bought a used moby for about the same price. When dd2 outgrew it, I passed it on for about $15 and the mama was thrilled. Mainly the price was to just ship it.

I do hate that others are labeled as anti, but whatever, they need to sell newspapers.

[*MamaJen*]

Yeah, they reference a $450 sling in that story.
For the first nine months I used a second-hand new native that I got here for $10, before I splurged on an Ergo (which retains nearly all its value when you sell it second hand).
The NYT trend stories do tend to highlight the trendy aspect of it, with all the high end cache (remember that homebirth story that focused on whether or not homebirthing is safe for your designer white sofa?). But in general I was glad to see babywearing being normalized, and they did make good points about how it's good for the baby to have all that physical contact, and convenient for parents to have hands free.

[lalemma]

I have been really taken aback by the consumerism involved in "serious" babywearing, actually. It's crazy. You don't need a 400-dollar ring sling or some obscure Austrian wrap handwoven by nuns. You don't need 30 carriers. You just need A carrier that works for you and your baby, and like the PP said, a youtube video.

I dislike it when AP/NFL starts to become a marketing gimmick, particularly when it seems like it might turn people off from great parenting tools because they worry about not having the right label.