would you approach mom wearing sling the "wrong" way? - Page 2

[Spark]

Ahhh, if only I'd get a chance to talk to Gwen or Gavin. I'd tell them about adjusting the sling over their shoulder instead of wearing it digging into their necks. Or... most likely I'd just stammer and bow a little.

[ColoradoMama]

Well, that's a tough one. I've been known to get one of the kiddos in there "wrong" but I don't change it because I'm just going a short distance, or baby is fussy and I just want to get done or whatever. I've gotten the strap twisted, but didn't bother to change it. Dh wears the sling in a way that many people would consider wrong - where it looks like it would dig into his shoulder/neck, but he wears it that way because it comfortable to him. Neither of us would be offended if someone said something. Honestly, I'd probably be annoyed, but no big deal.

[s_kristina]

I have gone up and helped a woman with a sling before. She was trying to get a very padded sling on while holding a tiny baby and her dh was standing there chatting with a friend. The area we lived in at the time going up and helping her wouldn't have been seen as odd by most people even though she was a stranger in a store. I helped her get the sling and baby adjusted as best she could and pointed her to a couple websites to look at better slings. She thanked me and said she had never been able to get it comfortable before I helped her. I'm not sure I'd tell someone out of the blue they are wearing a sling wrong, but I'd probably help someone with their sling again although where we live now people would probably look at me like I'd grown a second head if I went up to them to help them out

[ani'smommy]

Originally Posted by Baby Makes 4

Yup, pretty much. I think the last one I left went something like this:

Hello,

We were parked next to you and I was admiring the beautiful blanket on your back seat when I noticed that your car seat isn't installed correctly. The long strap sticking out of the back of the seat needs to be connected to a tether bolt to keep your little one safe in an accident. If you call ICBC they will help you out.

I think that was about it. Does it sound offensive?

What if your car doesn't have a tether bolt? Our doesn't and I always wonder if I should do something else with that strap.

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by ani'smommy

What if your car doesn't have a tether bolt? Our doesn't and I always wonder if I should do something else with that strap.

You need to get a tether anchor added. Either post your year and make of car or pm me.

[Baby Makes 4]

Originally Posted by ani'smommy

What if your car doesn't have a tether bolt? Our doesn't and I always wonder if I should do something else with that strap.

Most manufacturers will install a tehter bolt for free. If you have a Toyota (for example) just call your local Toyota dealer and ask if they will do it. You might need to buy the bolt for $3 but the installation is usually free.

[ani'smommy]

Originally Posted by Baby Makes 4

Most manufacturers will install a tehter bolt for free. If you have a Toyota (for example) just call your local Toyota dealer and ask if they will do it. You might need to buy the bolt for $3 but the installation is usually free.

Wow, that's great news I have a 98 (or so) Toyota Corolla.

[Baby Makes 4]

Originally Posted by ani'smommy

Wow, that's great news I have a 98 (or so) Toyota Corolla.

Ford put 5 tether bolt in our minivan for free! I was so impressed! I wanted the flexibilty of putting seats anywhere and they were so great about it. :

[/hijack] - sorry to the OP

[ani'smommy]

So they'll do it even thought I didn't buy the car from a dealership?

[Baby Makes 4]

Originally Posted by ani'smommy

So they'll do it even thought I didn't buy the car from a dealership?

Yup, we bought our Ford used from Toyota and Ford still retrofitted the tether bolts for us.

[KsMum]

Originally Posted by mamato271828

On the other hand, I have been so tempted to say sometihng to those women who smugly carry around their babies in Baby Bjorns and other similar carriers. They look so uncomfortable for both baby and mom/dad I wonder that they can wear them for more than a few minutes. But I don't think they would appreciate my comments about the negative aspects of those carriers and would probably just think I am trying to be mean rather than helpful.

I would certainly have not appreciated that kind of negative comment when we used to have DD in her bjorn. We had the bjorn, a wrap, and a pouch, and the only carrier she liked was the bjorn. The wrap facing outward she would tolerate for very short periods, but the bjorn she was happy as clams. And when she was smaller they're not uncomfortable at all. We don't put her in the bjorn anymore since shes so heavy, so now her preferred method of transport is a framed backpack (Sherpani ultralight). She'll only tolerate my mei tai if she's really tired.

[babydolphin95]

People usually come to me when Im wearing him and ask me how I do that...because their baby doesnt look that way when they do it.

[thepeach80]

Originally Posted by ani'smommy

Wow, that's great news I have a 98 (or so) Toyota Corolla.

The part# should be 73709-12010 Bracket assembly, tether anchor. It says it sells for $12, but they should put 1 in for free and then you might have to buy the rest.

[mehndi mama]

I've approached and helped sling-wearers before, when they had the sling twisted badly, or had it hanging down way far or something.

What I did was ask "How do you like your sling?" In each instance, I got an "I'm trying to get used to it" kind of answer, so it was only after that that I said that I could show them a way to get it more comfortable and secure. I wasn't turned down in either instance!

[KailasMommy]

I've done it several times now...all with ring slings. I do it because I used to wear my daughter all wrong and almost gave up on babywearing because I couldn't get her in the darn otsbh right. I read the babywearing section of The Baby Book over and over again, but it never helped. So, when I finally got educated on sling wearing, I felt almost like it was my duty to help people! Not people who have it on their necks or have it twisted, but I've approached several moms who have their babies in the sling either so low and loose that the baby is flopping out, or so messed up that they have to hold on to them (like virtually sitting on the rings!). In every case, they have been soooooo grateful, even though I think it was weird at first. I get nervous, but I don't want them to give up like I almost did.

[sophmama]

I might say, "Hey you might not know but you've got a twist in your back. That might get uncomfortable after a while. Would you like a hand in fixing it?" Then switch to complementing how cute her baby and the sling is and how wonderful they are in so many positions, etc.

[jenrose]

I do this all the time. I just walk up to people and ask them about their carrier. Ask if it's comfortable and do they like it. Then if it's clearly fixable in 30 seconds or less, I say, "Hey, can I show you a trick with this?"

[stacyann21]

If it looked like the baby was in danger of falling out then I might say something but otherwise I wouldn't. I often wear my wrap in unusual ways because it's easier for me to tie it like that, put ds in that way etc.