Wearing babies significantly slows their development

[bellona]

Hey, all. I'm a new poster around here but have been reading like a banshee for the past couple of weeks . This is a board that I really enjoy so I thought I'd say hi and share this priceless story.

I have alot of non traditional views about lifestyle and at first I used to try and educate people. Now I just listen and . I was practicing this new found skill the other day when I was out running around with my 1 1/2 yo ds on my hip. He'd been feeling a little sleepy and wanted some snuggle time so I had popped him in when I'm approached by another woman with an "isn't he so precious?" comment. She went on to tell me about how she sees more and more moms wearing their babies around and it's such a shame cause it slows their development so. When her babies were little they walked before they were a year old and now more and more babies are not walking until close to 2!

I responded with "really?" "wow!" "incredible" and all of that stuff. Then ds saw something he liked and squeezed his legs together (his signal he's out), I lifted the bottom and down he slid. Without so much as a pause he was off and running.

You know, I could have preached to that woman for hours on the benefits of babywearing and all that stuff and all I would have gotten was . I think ds may have gotten the point across though

[Red Sonja]

LOL, that's a great "comeback" and the best part is you didn't have to say a word!

[lilylove]

Priceless!!!

[blessedwithboys]

great story.

i wish this woman had been around to tell my boys about slow development. it was really hard on me to have a walking, running, stair-climbing 9 month old!

maybe the 23 hrs a day they spent in the sling wasnt enough to hold them back???

[rozzie'sma]

At first I thought this was going to be a bad post. Good for you, people need to learn

[Llyra]

I remember being told by a woman in a store once that I was going to stunt Julia's growth by keeping her in the sling in a cradle hold. I wish she could see my 3 foot tall 18 month old now!!!!

[Spring Sun]

Awesome! I hate it when people talk about things that they don't know anything about.

[Thursday Girl]

i love a story that makes me smile.

[Kristine233]

Thanks for the smile! I really hate when people come up and start preaching to me like that, especially when they dont have all the facts. Your DS said all that was needed to be said though!

[ryleigh'smama]

Great story

[Girl Named Sandoz]

There are many studies that show that babywearing benefits infants' development (physically, emotionally, cognitively and socially).

Loved your story! My ds who lived in his Maya Wrap was crawling at 5 months and running at 11 months.

[2Sweeties1Angel]

i wish this woman had been around to tell my boys about slow development. it was really hard on me to have a walking, running, stair-climbing 9 month old!

Me too! DD started walking at 8.5 months--good thing the babywearing slowed her down

[CathToria]

great story

[Celtain]

Originally Posted by 2Sweeties1Angel

i wish this woman had been around to tell my boys about slow development. it was really hard on me to have a walking, running, stair-climbing 9 month old!

Me too! DD started walking at 8.5 months--good thing the babywearing slowed her down

Yeah, ds2 walked at 11 months. Thank goodness I wore him, he might have been running at 6 months old!!!!

[hapahaolegirl]

Originally Posted by embens

Yeah, ds2 walked at 11 months. Thank goodness I wore him, he might have been running at 6 months old!!!!

LOL! I was just thinking the same thing. DD walked at 10 months and I cannot imagine her walking any sooner. I enjoyed the days when she couldn't run eveywhere

[wednesday]

What a goofy thing for that woman to say. I mean babies who aren't worn look like they spend 90% of their time strapped in strollers or other containers, from what I've seen. You think she goes up to every person pushing a stroller and suggests to them that they are slowing their baby's development?

[eden/averymum]

lmbo, what a dork that woman is. people read one slanted peice of information and they believe anything. ugh.

[eastkygal]

Wow! and a Question

My dd is my first babe. She is nearly 7 months old, and we love wearing her when we go out. I haven't quite perfected wearing her comfortably to do housework. Maybe you all can help. I have a two shoulder front carrier (Snugli) and a Little Lambs hemp one shoulder sling.
Maybe you all can help with a comeback. I was in the dollar store when a clerk came up and said "That looks like that hurts that baby." I said "She loves it. She was sitting happily with her head sticking out taking in the view. How could like look like I'm hurting her.
Then, I was in another store when an elderly woman looked at her husband and back at me and said "That's mean." My dd was sleeping on my shoulder. If I'm so mean how could she be comfortable enough to sleep? I was so taken aback that I didn't know what to say.:

Now to my question. How much time in the sling is too much? How much interactive time should they have playing with me in the floor and such? My dd hates tummy time despite the fact that I've tried everything to help her along. I would like to wear her to do things around the house now and then, but I don't want her to miss opportunities to play. Does that make sense? I know if she is in the sling, she is learning by watching me work, and we can talk about what I'm doing. Can anyone offer advice? Thanks!

[kofduke]

eastkygal, it sounds like you are doing great - I think your instincts will be right on about how much time in the sling is too much. Your DD will let you know if she wants to be down! Keep talking and interacting with her and she will be wonderful.

As for comments, I usually say that my experience with unhappy babies is that they cry...and then look at the peaceful face of my DS.

[mamamelia]

glad your ds ran off like that!!

i wore or carried my dd ALL the time. she spent her first few weeks sleeping only on me or in my arms. she hated tummy time with a passion.

i used to get the "isn't she uncomfortable" and "she'll never learn to walk" comments too. people tend to forget that babies are flexible and have been cramped up in the womb for 9 months and that everyone eventually walks.

anyway, my dd was crawling at 5 months, and walking at 11 months. so what a crock of shit all that "advice" turned out to be. the ped that i took my daughter to (who has 25 years experience and is a specialist) kept commenting on my dd's strength and mobility at such an early age. he said she was doing things at 3 months, that 7 and 8 month old babes do. i told him that i carry her all the time, and that's the reason why.

for gawd's sake, she could scoot on her back across the room at 10 weeks old. how's that for mobility?

i still carry her at 17 months old.. and still get odd looks at the shopping center. yet at the same time everyone comments on what an unbelievably happy, calm and confident child i have.

why don't people make the connection???