Negative comments about babywearing

[4Blessings]

Our fourth child is 4.5 months old. I've never run into negative comments about babywearing or breastfeeding until recently.

Today I was shopping at a big box store (not the one that starts with 'W') and was ready to check out. A manager directed me to a lane that was open. The cashier looked me up and down. I was carrying my sleeping baby in a ring sling. She lets out this load groan and makes a face! I decided I didn't need to deal with whatever her problem was and decided to move to the next lane which was open too.

As I'm checking out I can hear the cashier talking to an elderly lady about how people don't need to carry their babies around like "that".

"It's fine if you live in a place where you need to carry a bucket of water on your head but not HERE!"



I CAN HEAR YOU!! It took a whole lot not to tell her off!

I went to the manager on my way out to tell her that I didn't appreciate the groaning or negative comments. The manager says, "Thanks for letting me know. She has her yearly review coming up this week. And that's not appropriate behavior."

Revenge is sweet


Now if only I could have done something about the teen at the mall who yelled out, "Breastfeeding is AWESOME, awesomely disgusting"

What is wrong with people ??

[MittensKittens]

Oh, I know mama, people can be so horrible sometimes. And rude. Not not mention misinformed. I hope her yearly review works out for her .

[MammaB21]

What a strange thing to say. I don't get it. I mean I can kinda wrap my head around the comment about bfing from the teen. Possibly a case of being misinformed, or trying to look cool in front of friends. But that comment from a WORKER.....about babywearing? I just don't get why people need to make issue with things that clearly have NOTHING to do with them. If she doesn't want to wear her baby, nobody is forcing her. Why attack someone else based on the reasoning that we don't carry water on our heads?

[4Blessings]

I educate about babywearing and breastfeeding when I can but it seems like people are getting louder and more negative about things they don't agree with! Ugh!

Are others finding this to be true or am I just running into this?

[MittensKittens]

No, I've also had my fair share of horrible babywearing comments. I hardly got any when my DD was in the babywearing stage, but now I seem to get a nasty remark nearly every week. Looks like people haven't got anything better to do . And yes, negative about things people don't "agree with" - how could someone possibly not "agree" with babywearing? I get that some people feel militant about homebirth, but seriously - babywearing?

[triana1326]

Wow, I didn't think that babywearing was all that radical. When DD was smaller, we'd carry her everywhere. DH used to get so many compliments from lkittle old ladies about being such a devoted father. I think that's why he wore her more than I did. Sorry to hear that you guys are getting such awful remarks...I mean, hello, carrying your baby hands free is such a positive in my book - who wouldn't want to do it?

[triana1326]

Wow, I didn't think that babywearing was all that radical. When DD was smaller, we'd carry her everywhere. DH used to get so many compliments from lkittle old ladies about being such a devoted father. I think that's why he wore her more than I did. Sorry to hear that you guys are getting such awful remarks...I mean, hello, carrying your baby hands free is such a positive in my book - who wouldn't want to do it?

[~Charlie's~Angel~]

That cashier is lucky it was you and not me. Cuz im not sure I would have been able to keep my mouth shut .

[dachshund mom]

That was down right rude! I've gotten many odd looks, in particular when at the "W" store, but also a ton of positive comments and people asking about it. Only one negative comment though, and DH and I still laugh about it. A lady was shopping with a crying baby perched on the cart in a bucket and a 4yo. The little boy said "MOM! We NEED one of those!" and the mom said "No we don't. That's just silly."

[JennTheMomma]

I didn't even know babywearing was controversial. I've only seen a handful of people babywear here, but I've never seen negative looks and no comments when we babywear.

[tracymom1]

I simply cannot understand that kind of thinking. I mean, what could possibly be better than having your baby right next to you and your hands free??!!

[Ldavis24]

and yet that woman wouldn't have batted an eyelash if someone had their baby in their carseat in the cart facing away from mama. (I saw this yesterday and almost pointed out that she could at least turn her baby to face her)

I would be really surprised about getting a negative comment for wearing DD. Usually I get "she looks so cute in there" from little old ladies and the like...Now BFing is another story, DH likes to joke that I am just primed and waiting for the first nasty comment so I can unload all my frustration about BFing in this country on whatever genius tries to tell me what I am doing is wrong or gross or whatever.

[MittensKittens]

We went to the beach with the ergo yesterday, and we got tons of comments - mostly "Oh, that's so wonderful and practical!" but there were quite a few "he'll suffocate in there!" as well, and even one "don't you know that's dangerous????"

When the slingrider was recalled, I never thought it would prompt people to make comments about unrelated carriers, but I suppose the "don't you know that's dangerous" must have come from the recall in some way .

[RiverandJulie]

Originally Posted by Proud2BeAnAmerican

As I'm checking out I can hear the cashier talking to an elderly lady about how people don't need to carry their babies around like "that".

"It's fine if you live in a place where you need to carry a bucket of water on your head but not HERE!"

Riiiiight, and we dont carry groceries, diaper bags, dogs on leashes, laptop bags and various other crap around. We always have our hands free to carry that stupid carseat around.

OK-seriously, I live in a conservative area outside DC, full of Mcmansions, suburban sheep and a bunch of people who never think outside the box. I very rarely see other people babywearing, But...I have only gotten good comments "ohh how cute" "That is such a great way to carry your baby, I dont know why it hasnt caught on in this country' (that one from a man) "He looks so content"
I havent figured out what I will say if someone makes a negative comment. It will probably depend on how much sleep I got the night before

[yazberrie]

I think the recall has led other to think they are now experts...they mean well but don't really know what they are talking about. I had someone comment on my BW saying that slings kill babies but I was in a wrap carrying DS in a Front cross carry???

[sk8boarder15]

That is insane! I do not understand how people can be so ignorant and rude!!! Gah!!!