Anyone EXCLUSIVELY babywear? - Page 3

[Carolinamidwife]

Once again - this is NOT a competition. We are in the BABY WEARING THREAD. So why would we get into the other gadgets? Why is it that mamas who exclusively cloth diaper or breast feed are ok around here -- but if you start wanting to JUST CHAT about exclusively doing some other form of AP parenting -- people get defensive?

I don't think asking about exclusive babywearing in a babywearing forum is "competitive mothering"...
I JUST wanted to exchange chat and ideas with other mamas who had gone through babyhood full time babywearing...
Isn't that what this place is all about -- a safe place to discuss natural parenting choices with other like minded mamas?

Thank you! I apologize if my posts took us over to the other side but I really meant it in the spirit of what you just said.

[inchwormz]

Originally Posted by boatbaby

This is supposed to be a fun chat for sling junkies!

[Past_VNE]

I wish I could classify myself as a sling junkie...but I don't have enough.

Sometimes I wish I didn't subscribe to such a minimalist, anti-consumeristic lifestyle. I would kill to have a whole ton of slings to match my every whim, mood and outfit....oh, and the weather, too!

[boatbaby]

There you go! Slings to match your outfits! That would be great -- but most slings cost more than most of my outfits :LOL

[spearso]

We..

used the infant carseat until kids were 20 lbs. If baby was awake when car stopped moving, baby came in sling. If baby was asleep, baby stayed in carseat, and was transferred to stroller. I was never fortunate enough to have 'great' sleepers, I knew well enough not to wake them if they were sleeping, lol. DD#2 is 2.5 years old now, and riding in the stroller has become a novelty for her (though she hops in and out at her own leisure). Suits me fine, I'm 9 months pg, and watching my 4 year old on her bike.

What's with the term 'baby bucket'? It's kind of lame....

susie

[Carolinamidwife]

Originally Posted by spearso

What's with the term 'baby bucket'? It's kind of lame....

susie

It's because the baby is often carried dangling down while the seat is carried by the handle like a bucket. And, FYI: Some people find use of the word "lame" offensive.

[Lucysmama]

We have a jogging stroller that we use maybe twice a week, and we actually use it to JOG, lol!!! Everyone in my neighborhood has one, but I never see anyone jogging?!?!? I think it is a baby status symbol, lol! Like, "Chek out my Sport Utility Stroller!"

Anyway, other than that we babywear or just plain old hold him. Holding our baby...we are SO old fashioned!!!

[sagepixie]

My little boy was ALWAYS carried. He only had a big car seat until we went on vacation to Kauii and I didn't feel like lugging it around. We did have a stroller but he would scream if set down so it didn't matter.

Right before his sister was born and he was 2 years old he finally agreed to go into the stroller for short trips in non crowded areas. If it was crowded enough that people *might* bump into the stroller it was a no go.

When my little miss was about 6 months I got a big ol double jogging stroller with a swivel wheel in front. Mostly for when my son and his little friends go to the aquarium. He can ride with his friends and they can both stand up on/in it to see the exhibits.

Little miss in now the big 01 and last weekend I carried her, for the first time, in her bucket sleeping into the book store. OMG!! That thing is heavy. when I carry her into the house to transfer her to the bed I use both hands. But walking through the parking lot holding my 3 yr olds hand I was forced to do that arm through the handle thing. I thought my back was going to break.

AACK!!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE my carriers and my babies do to.

[Rivka5]

I love my Maya Wrap and wear my daughter quite a bit. When she was tiny she was either held, slung, or coslept-with for about 23.5 hours a day. She still gets held or slung quite a bit (she takes all her naps in the sling), but now she wants to spend more of her waking time lying on the floor squirming around.

I love the sling for restaurants, church, parties, when I bring her to work - anywhere that I can't just put Alex on the floor and let her play, or where I might need my arms for something besides baby-holding.

However, I have disabilities which make it uncomfortable to carry her in the sling for long distances. So for our walks and for trips to the mall or whatever I use a stroller. I think she likes it - it's easier to wave her arms and legs, which she's a big fan of these days, and she can look around more easily. I do carry the sling with me, so that if she gets fussy or sleepy I can sling her. Or if she's in a fussy mood, but we have to go shopping in the neighborhood, like to the corner grocery store, I'll just sling her the whole way. But it definitely reduces my mobility.

I hate to think of someone seeing us in the mall and thinking how sad it is that I have a "bucket baby," when in fact it might be the first hour out of the last 24 that she hasn't been in direct contact with Mom.

[Hera]

Originally Posted by boatbaby

Anybody exclusively babywear?

Yes, but only in the summer. In the winter, it's too cold to go without clothes...




We used a bucket a couple of times when the babies were little and floppy, so we could put them on a high chair in a restaurant when the food came. I have two strollers, both of which live at my mom's house. The carriers hurt her shoulders, although I have just recently found something that will work for her. I like to travel light, and don't like pushing around a stroller. I may reach a stage where the baby is too heavy to wear long-term, but lacks the endurance to walk for a long time. A stroller would come in handy then.

I do like my dad's philosophy, though. He says "You bring the stroller so you have somewhere to put the diaper bag."

[cuddlebug]

I consider myself to be an exclusive babywearer. I don't own a baby bucket, I hate them and I am so tired of seeing those poor babies in them with the bottle propped to thier mothes (I am glad that other people call them baby buckets) I also call cribs baby cages and don't own one of those either and people ask me where he sleeps and I tell them, with me, on on me. I do own a buggy however because my mum bought it for me, and ds does like going on walks in it everyonce in awhile, but I don't take it anywhere with me, that seems to much of a pain for me. Maybe whae I have another child.

[annettemarie]

Do you get a special shiny mommy badge for "exclusive" baby wearing?

I mostly wear my babies when they are babies. Even with more than one, it is easier to have one in a sling and one holding each hand. Of course, next baby, I will be out of hands, so who knows what will happen.

When they get older, they walk, or are slung (slinged? slang?) or we use the- GASP!- umbrella stroller. We walk around a lot in the summer, and it gets hot. Plus I can stick the library books in the basket.

My husband was still slinging my daughter at age 3 (she's a tiny little thing), but we see it as a tool, not a goal.

[gardenpoetry]

My goal is to interact with my child as much as possible. It is hard for me as I work a lot - as a part time music teacher, math tutor and sewing mama. I am busy!!!

When I am out and about, I love to wear my baby. So, yes, the goal is to interact and hold my child as much as possible. It is not a burden at all, but a pleasure!

No badges here, just a mom feeling like she is doing the best she can to interact and respond to her children's needs. If, for me, that is by wearing him exclusively, then it is for me. But not so for everyone!

[annettemarie]

Originally Posted by gardenpoetry

No badges here, just a mom feeling like she is doing the best she can to interact and respond to her children's needs. If, for me, that is by wearing him exclusively, then it is for me. But not so for everyone!

Well how about that- I feel the same way. :LOL

ETA: Your post reminded me when Michael was a baby I used to teach piano lessons with him in the backpack, and taught Kindermusik with him in the sling. We used to take him to choir, and my husband would wear him in the front pack, and he would track the choir directors movements with his eyes. He's very musical to this day!

[Carolinamidwife]

I'm hoping I made it clear (pretty sure I did) that what I am opposed to is babies in buckets for hours on end. I don't care one way or another if you carry your baby in the bucket into the dry cleaner or the drug store but come on, we all know when we're seeing a baby in the mall for 3 hours and a lunch in the carseat/stroller combo. That's why those things exist.

ETA: I do see babywearing as a goal, especially when I know I will be busy. If I can combine running errands with bonding time for my baby I aim to do that. If I wear her when we are out it is more likely she will be content on her own at home when I have things to do and can't wear her.

[morgainesmama]

Oh, Hera, thanks for the laugh!!!

[Quindin]

Another reason not mentioned as to why I forsake my stroller:

I am having a blast making and buying these gorgeous things that happened to be the prettiest accessories AND tools I own And best of all - both baby and I get to enjoy them!!!!

I thought building a diaper stash was fun - carriers are even better!!!

[meco]

For those of you who use strollers as grocery holders:

You might want to check these out. They hold way more than a stroller ever could, plus all my recycling, my laundry and more. (I have a granny cart and a shopping trolley). I know The Container Store sells them, but other places do too.

[Quindin]

Most people in Brazil have one of those for shopping at the open air produce sales on the weekends.

[Tupelo Honey]

Cuddlebug, did you read the rest of this thread before you posted?