I'm failing at babywearing :(

[lizsky]

I really want this to work, but my 2month old wiggly DD hates being worn. It doesn't seem matter if she's wide awake or sleepy, and it doesn't seem to matter what kind of wrap/sling/carrier we use- she kicks and arches her back and yells every time. (I've tried the Moby, Ring Sling, Pouch sling and Ergo). She is really wiggly and doesn't seem to like to be confined... Even when I hold her in my arms, she kicks and protests unless I put her up high on my shoulder where she can wave her arms and look around.

I've tried putting her in the Moby (or other sling) and walking briskly for 10-15 min, I've tried putting her in when I know she's content (just ate, just got a new diaper), I've tried putting her in when she's very sleepy, but she always kicks and fights it. I'd really like to be able to wear her though. What else can I try?

[AFWife]

DS was the same way! I had a Bjorn carrier. What I had to do was buckle everything on myself except the big "seat" part and rock him to sleep. When he was sleeping I would buckle it on and have him wake up being worn. I had to get moving IMMEDIATELY and he would only take it for 10mins or so at a time.

He loves it now.

[AFWife]

And remember: It's not your fault!!! Some babies are independent from birth!

[Alisse]

When my son was your daughter's age he didn't like carriers either or anything that confined him, including swaddling. As he got older he started being ok in one but only when we were out shopping where there were a lot of things for him to look at while we walked about, (starting at around 3months or so). And still at 7.5months of age, when we're in the house he really only likes being in it when he's having a hard time sleeping/napping.

I've heard a lot of mamas say that their baby didn't like it until they got a bit older.

ETA: When we put our son in one, we too have to start moving around immediately.

[AFWife]

Originally Posted by Alisse

When my son was your daughter's age he didn't like carriers either or anything that confined him, including swaddling. As he got older he started being ok in one but only when we were out shopping where there were a lot of things for him to look at while we walked about, (starting at around 3months or so). And still at 7.5months of age, when we're in the house he really only likes being in it when he's having a hard time sleeping/napping.

I've heard a lot of mamas say that their baby didn't like it until they got a bit older.

ETA: When we put our son in one, we too have to start moving around immediately.

Exactly. He really liked it outside on walks and shopping. But in the house? Psh, that's boring. Unless it was napping I couldn't wear him at home for very long.

[Mirrormonkey]

have you tried putting her in a burp carry? you can do it with a wrap, it holds them close but allows their arms to be free.

nak

[clovergirl]

a burp carry in your moby wrap may be a good thing to try. just make sure you wrap tightly. here's some good picture instructions (captions are in greek, but the pictures themselves do a great job)- http://www.babywearing.gr/Babywearin...rpposition.htm

another suggestion is to try a high back carry. many little ones your DD's age need a lot of stimulation and like to look around, and the high back carry allows them that. the best carrier to do a high bak carry with a young baby is a woven wrap, followed by a mei tai.

last but not least would be trying a hip carry in the ring sling. a lot of people only recommend hip carries for when babies can sit up independently (4-6mo and up) but i have found them to work great for older newborns and young infants. you just need to make sure the fabric is nice and tight across the baby's back and comes up to the back of their neck. it's a very instinctual position to hold a baby in and provides them with the ability to look around while still being able to put their heads down if tired or overstimulated.

hope that helps!

[Kikelet]

Originally Posted by clovergirl

a burp carry in your moby wrap may be a good thing to try. just make sure you wrap tightly. here's some good picture instructions (captions are in greek, but the pictures themselves do a great job)- http://www.babywearing.gr/Babywearin...rpposition.htm

another suggestion is to try a high back carry. many little ones your DD's age need a lot of stimulation and like to look around, and the high back carry allows them that. the best carrier to do a high bak carry with a young baby is a woven wrap, followed by a mei tai.

last but not least would be trying a hip carry in the ring sling. a lot of people only recommend hip carries for when babies can sit up independently (4-6mo and up) but i have found them to work great for older newborns and young infants. you just need to make sure the fabric is nice and tight across the baby's back and comes up to the back of their neck. it's a very instinctual position to hold a baby in and provides them with the ability to look around while still being able to put their heads down if tired or overstimulated.

hope that helps!

Amen! I am having the exact same issues with my 10 week old. She will fall asleep in the pouch sling, but only when she is positioned perfectly with a folded towel under her back so her chin isn't pressing on her chest. Getting her in the pouch sling with a towel is such a huge PITA that I rarely put her in it. It also hurts my back to carry her in the pouch sling, and I know I ordered the right size hotsling. GAH!

The *only* way we can hold her for longer periods of time is over the shoulder/burp carry. She needs to see what's going on and be close to mama/daddy at the same time. It hurts my back so much to hold her like that all the time and I had been wondering if I could do a modified carry out of desperation. I will try this and I pray that it works!!

[lyra1977]

My DD liked being wrapped and worn as a newborn but once she "woke up" as we put it, around 3 months old, she hated it. Now that she's a toddler I can see why, because she is very in tune with her body and has advanced gross motor skills (walked at 10 months, taught herself somersaults at 18 months) so even as an infant she just wanted to have more control over her body and practice movements (rolling at that early point).

BUT she has gone through some phases where she has separation anxiety and I take full advantage of those clingy times to wear her and enjoy the extra cuddles.

[maptome]

Yeah, what alisse said.

My babe has NEVER fallen asleep being worn. She doesn't even always like being held. You are not failing. Some babies just aren't into it. DD is 10 months, and I wear her to get things done, like mowing the lawn. She can tolerate it if there's stuff to look at, but she is definitely not one of those babies that is happy and content being worn.

[pepper-gina]

Originally Posted by clovergirl

a burp carry in your moby wrap may be a good thing to try. just make sure you wrap tightly. here's some good picture instructions (captions are in greek, but the pictures themselves do a great job)- http://www.babywearing.gr/Babywearin...rpposition.htm

I just wanted to let you know, if you use Google Chrome as your web browser, it has a function that will translate the greek to english. Score!!!

[St. Margaret]

Give it time-- it took us months to figure it out with DD. We did wrap her up like that, legs and arms out, and she was happy. Some carriers have more going on, more fabric all around or blocking views, and DD always wanted minimal... but she became a totally slingbaby at about 4mo. I wore her all day then. Now, if your baby is just happy down on a blanket or what have you, and you can still get a few things done, then maybe she is just independent that way. But keep trying for down the line, for things like shopping, getting from the car to the playgroup with a picnic basket, etc So useful! especially as they get heavier and you want to be able to use your hands.