[dealic]

I was talking to my mom about baby carriers, and she said she didn't like them, because you should hold your baby, not just use something else to carry them. I said that I thought people who wore their babies did it where others would use strollers, not where others would hold their baby, so its actually more holding, not less. Is this accurate? I feel it must be obvious that you also hold your LO in arms a lot too, and that you interact with them all the time, not just pacify and ignore, but am I wrong?

(For the record, yes, she held us in arms all day, every day. With me, it was 24 hours a day for months... I wouldn't sleep except in arms, while being walked. My sisters did sleep in whatever sleeping device she used.)

 

[WhaleinGaloshes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dealic I was talking to my mom about baby carriers, and she said she didn't like them, because you should hold your baby, not just use something else to carry them.

I don't honestly see much if any difference between a sling or wrap and holding a baby in your arms. They are in skin-to-skin or (clothes-to-clothes anyway) contact either way.

I interact about the same with my baby whether she is in my arms or in the carrier, the only difference is that I can do more with my arms free and I get less tired. Sometimes we interact and sometimes she observes the world quietly.

 

[dealic]

Yeah, I think she thinks people would be more inclined to ignore their babies in a carrier, much as they do when they are in a stroller/baby seat/etc.

 

[bellymama]

double post

 

[bellymama]

my ds is has been held all day since he was born. now that he is 5 mo old he is starting to be interested in more and more floor time, so we do that more often now, but i would say either myself, my dp or my sister hold him about 98% of the time.
i think babies should be held that much (or worn) until they are 6-8 months old (or until they show signs of wanting more time out of arms).
that can seem like a lot but it goes by so fast, i am so glad i held my son as much as i did, because now that he fusses for me to put him down i get a little sad that he doesn't want me to hold him.
soft cloth carriers are just as good as arms, and that way you can keep holding your baby while you get stuff done, which lead to baby being held more, rather than you having to put baby down to get stuff done.
of course, if someone has healthy or physical issues, i would understand if holding a child 24/7 would be very difficult, and they shouldn't feel bad about not being able to.

 

[colobus237]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dealic Yeah, I think she thinks people would be more inclined to ignore their babies in a carrier, much as they do when they are in a stroller/baby seat/etc.

Well...some would say it's a good thing to 'ignore your baby' in a carrier....continuum concept style. Not ignoring their needs for nursing or diaper changes, but not sitting there and googling at them all day either

 

[RoundAbout]

Counting nursing and play time, my baby spends tons of time "in arms" with either myself or DH. I use the carrier mostly in place of a stroller (trips to store, walks, etc.) or when I need to get chores done and he doesn't want to swing or play on the floor.

 

[cdmaze]

At least 2 hours...but, more when she was younger!

 

[fortunecookie]

I think my two year old son is in my arms for two or three hours a day if you count it all up. One hour of it being in one of our new carriers, and I am hoping for more time in the carriers with more experience.

 

[siusumommy]

My 5 month old son is in arms about 10 hour of our 14 hour day. For me, having him in the sling is the same as having him in arms. He's out for brief periods: while I shower, diaper changes, potty time (we do elimination communication, short tummy time. Twice a week I go to a playgroup that's about 2 hours long and he'll be out of arms for up to an hour there - he's really interested in watching children and other babies. He's also often riding in the car for 15 to 40 minute stretches (I live in a rural area, it takes a while to get places).

Regarding your mom's viewpoint: invite her to try your sling if you get one, I'd think she would quickly enjoy the experience. My DS actually prefers to be in the sling than to just being in arms. He likes the feeling of being very close to me. When he was younger and had regular night time cranky periods, the only way I could get him to sleep was to put him in the sling and dance around: being held wasn't good enough. Now that he is older, he really likes the height that a sling provides - I carry him very high, in a ring sling so eye contact with me and with whoever we meet is easy and frequent.

 

[Khourtniey]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dealic Yeah, I think she thinks people would be more inclined to ignore their babies in a carrier, much as they do when they are in a stroller/baby seat/etc.

I can understand this POV but for me its hard to ignore a baby that is right in your face compared to a few feet away in a stroller

 

[dealic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by siusumommy Regarding your mom's viewpoint: invite her to try your sling if you get one, I'd think she would quickly enjoy the experience.

Well, I will one day, but for now we don't have kids, and none planned. Apparently my dad wore us, he didn't like carrying us without a carrier, and she carried us, didn't like wearing us (or at least not in the carriers she owned). So she is aware that it may just be her personal tastes.

 

[dealic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Khourtniey I can understand this POV but for me its hard to ignore a baby that is right in your face compared to a few feet away in a stroller

I find it hard to ignore a baby period. I also don't understand how slinging is less involved than carrying. I could see it being more awkward to change positions often if a baby is not finding a comfy spot, or is overtired and restless, but otherwise... maybe she sees it as just another contraption to put baby in, like bouncy chairs, swings, strollers, and now carseats, which are often overused as babysitters.

 

[lauren819]

I'm struggling with this, as I'd like to carry or wear my 3 mo old ds as often as possible, but there are a couple of factors. One, I have a 22 month old dd, so I often have to put him down to do things with/for her. Two, my ds couldn't CARE LESS that I'm not holding him. I put him on the floor on a blanket next to us, or in the swing in the kitchen while I get lunch ready, etc. He's totally happy when I'm not holding him. Three, he seems to be tiring of the sling. He just gets fussy in it after a few minutes, and I'd like to keep the kid happy, kwim? So I guess I just chalk it up to you gotta do what's right for your family and what keeps your kids happy.

 

[bellymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dealic Well, I will one day, but for now we don't have kids, and none planned. Apparently my dad wore us, he didn't like carrying us without a carrier, and she carried us, didn't like wearing us (or at least not in the carriers she owned). So she is aware that it may just be her personal tastes.

curious...why are you on MDC if you don't have kids and aren't planning too?

 

[dealic]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellymama curious...why are you on MDC if you don't have kids and aren't planning too?

Sorry, I wasn't clear. None planned for the immediate future, meaning we aren't currently pregnant or trying. We are planning to one day, hopefully in the next few years. So I am doing my research now, both to satisfy my baby craze, and so that I can make informed decisions then.