Comments on: To wear, or not to wear… That is the question. http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/ Sun, 12 Feb 2012 12:11:37 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.5 By: linda http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-154 linda Thu, 22 May 2008 00:20:38 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-154 I recently made a mei tai in response to visiting my sister-in-law (an avid AP babywearer). My 3yr old son wanted to be like the "baby" and be carried again. I used to hold and carry him all the time as a younger baby. He never liked the sling but he loved the soft baby carrier that his dad and I used to carry him, facing out or in, but always in front. Now we go front or back. He likes the piggy back style and we have had a lot of success at the market using it. I recently made a mei tai in response to visiting my sister-in-law (an avid AP babywearer). My 3yr old son wanted to be like the “baby” and be carried again. I used to hold and carry him all the time as a younger baby. He never liked the sling but he loved the soft baby carrier that his dad and I used to carry him, facing out or in, but always in front. Now we go front or back. He likes the piggy back style and we have had a lot of success at the market using it.

]]> By: Rose http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-153 Rose Tue, 20 May 2008 15:37:19 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-153 I use the Ergo Carrier and am very pleased with it. there is no barrier between me and my baby, and it can be used to front carry the baby, or hip carry, or carry him on my back. I love it! I use the Ergo Carrier and am very pleased with it. there is no barrier between me and my baby, and it can be used to front carry the baby, or hip carry, or carry him on my back. I love it!

]]> By: nancy sv http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-152 nancy sv Fri, 16 May 2008 20:25:47 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-152 I never did use the sling, although it looks wonderful. I just couldn't figure out how to manage it with twins. Once our babies were about 6 months, we put them into baby backpacks - one on my back, one on my husband's - and carried them everywhere, even tothe top of Mount Sinai!! Our boys are now ten, and we are still very close. We'll be taking off soon to ride our bikes from Alaska to Argentina and I can't wait to have all that time with my babies - even if they are big babies now!! (You can read about our journey at www.familyonbikes.org) I never did use the sling, although it looks wonderful. I just couldn’t figure out how to manage it with twins. Once our babies were about 6 months, we put them into baby backpacks – one on my back, one on my husband’s – and carried them everywhere, even tothe top of Mount Sinai!!

Our boys are now ten, and we are still very close. We’ll be taking off soon to ride our bikes from Alaska to Argentina and I can’t wait to have all that time with my babies – even if they are big babies now!! (You can read about our journey at http://www.familyonbikes.org)

]]> By: Theresa http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-151 Theresa Fri, 16 May 2008 16:16:32 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-151 Thanks Scylla :) Incidentally, on the way home from our walk today, Angel decided she was hungry... we still had about 15 minutes or so before we would be home. I couldn't wait that long. I had to pull down my top (which I find easier than pulling it up, of course dependent on the neckline) and I used my jacket to cover us up as I faced a wall... probably looking like a real loony, hehehe. I had tied my Mei Tai a little lower than usual, so that seemed to be the trick! I don't think we will make it a habit, but it definitely works in emergencies :) Thanks Scylla :) Incidentally, on the way home from our walk today, Angel decided she was hungry… we still had about 15 minutes or so before we would be home. I couldn’t wait that long. I had to pull down my top (which I find easier than pulling it up, of course dependent on the neckline) and I used my jacket to cover us up as I faced a wall… probably looking like a real loony, hehehe.

I had tied my Mei Tai a little lower than usual, so that seemed to be the trick!

I don’t think we will make it a habit, but it definitely works in emergencies :)

]]> By: Scylla http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-150 Scylla Fri, 16 May 2008 12:27:23 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-150 Teresa, Sling nursing for me required loosening the sling enough to comfortably tuck him into it, and was much harder to do as he got bigger. In the Mei Tai, so long as he is facing me, and I have something to drape over me a little, I can just pull my shirt up, unhook, and he is able to maneuver into position. Sometimes I have to lower the way he is sitting to align him better with my breast. However, Otter really likes to nurse sitting up on my lap anyway, so it may be easier for us to transition to nursing in the mei tai because of that. I would suggest giving it a try at home, until you find a comfy way to do it, so you don't have to worry about "being discreet" while you and your baby find a comfy way to wear and nurse. It also may not be comfortable for you to do so. Some babies, and mommies, prefer a less hectic on the go nursing style. I wish you and your baby the best!! Teresa,
Sling nursing for me required loosening the sling enough to comfortably tuck him into it, and was much harder to do as he got bigger.
In the Mei Tai, so long as he is facing me, and I have something to drape over me a little, I can just pull my shirt up, unhook, and he is able to maneuver into position. Sometimes I have to lower the way he is sitting to align him better with my breast.
However, Otter really likes to nurse sitting up on my lap anyway, so it may be easier for us to transition to nursing in the mei tai because of that.
I would suggest giving it a try at home, until you find a comfy way to do it, so you don’t have to worry about “being discreet” while you and your baby find a comfy way to wear and nurse. It also may not be comfortable for you to do so. Some babies, and mommies, prefer a less hectic on the go nursing style.
I wish you and your baby the best!!

]]> By: Green Mamma http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-149 Green Mamma Fri, 16 May 2008 11:33:56 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-149 I too "fell" into attachment parenting, and it was babywearing and breastfeeding that brought me to the wonderful group of mothers and fathers who I now meet with each month. We too started with a bjorn, used a mei tai (which we liked), and are now happy with our ergo. Not only is the ergo great for bonding, getting outside for hikes (where no stroller may go), and for avoiding nasty germs at the grocery store (I really think that the cart seat and handle are where we've picked up many a virus). Anyway, we are definitely a "to wear" family. I too “fell” into attachment parenting, and it was babywearing and breastfeeding that brought me to the wonderful group of mothers and fathers who I now meet with each month.

We too started with a bjorn, used a mei tai (which we liked), and are now happy with our ergo. Not only is the ergo great for bonding, getting outside for hikes (where no stroller may go), and for avoiding nasty germs at the grocery store (I really think that the cart seat and handle are where we’ve picked up many a virus).

Anyway, we are definitely a “to wear” family.

]]> By: Theresa http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-148 Theresa Fri, 16 May 2008 10:17:24 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-148 I bought the Maya Wrap just before my lil angel was born because of what I had read about baby-wearing... but I couldn't figure it out at all! So I bought a Baby Bjorn. Angel hated it!! She screamed within 2 seconds of being in it. Back to the sling I went, determined to master it. It took us a while, but now we both love it :) I use the Mei Tai for the longer carrying sessions though, like walks or grocery shopping. My shoulder really hurts with the sling after an hour or so. I never quite figured out how to nurse in the sling, and its still pretty uncomfortable in the Mei Tai. Any tips?? I bought the Maya Wrap just before my lil angel was born because of what I had read about baby-wearing… but I couldn’t figure it out at all! So I bought a Baby Bjorn. Angel hated it!! She screamed within 2 seconds of being in it. Back to the sling I went, determined to master it. It took us a while, but now we both love it :) I use the Mei Tai for the longer carrying sessions though, like walks or grocery shopping. My shoulder really hurts with the sling after an hour or so.

I never quite figured out how to nurse in the sling, and its still pretty uncomfortable in the Mei Tai. Any tips??

]]> By: pixie http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-147 pixie Fri, 16 May 2008 09:52:02 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-147 I'm hoping that when we have another bundle of joy, I'll be wrapping and slinging from birth. With littlepixie, I just couldn't get my head around it until she was about 3 months old, but then we were off :) I’m hoping that when we have another bundle of joy, I’ll be wrapping and slinging from birth. With littlepixie, I just couldn’t get my head around it until she was about 3 months old, but then we were off :)

]]> By: Sherie http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-146 Sherie Fri, 16 May 2008 03:21:39 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-146 I wish I could have got my little screecher into a wrap, sling, pouch - anything - when he was tiny. He didn't want anything to do with babywearing until he was about 5 months old, and only then if I did a kangaroo carry with him facing out (until the stimulation was too much and more screeching insued). Happily, once we could manage the hip carry (with a wrap), all was well. :-) I wish I could have got my little screecher into a wrap, sling, pouch – anything – when he was tiny. He didn’t want anything to do with babywearing until he was about 5 months old, and only then if I did a kangaroo carry with him facing out (until the stimulation was too much and more screeching insued). Happily, once we could manage the hip carry (with a wrap), all was well. :-)

]]> By: justine http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/2008/05/15/to-wear-or-not-to-wear-that-is-the-question/comment-page-1/#comment-145 justine Fri, 16 May 2008 02:38:18 +0000 http://attachmentparenting.org/blog/?p=29#comment-145 Great post! I have been using a wrap and a sling with our baby both at home and at work--which are great for me. But my hubby has better luck using the buckles and straps of the more mainstream snugli style carrier. It is really important trying out different types at different ages and to be flexible enough to experiment. I just went to my 13 year olds school concert with our 8 week old in the sling. She discreetly nursed the whole time, even with the elderly gentleman sitting right next to us! Another parent there had to take their impatient little one out of the auditorium when things got too loud...which made me really proud of how safe and calm my little one must have felt even with all of the noises and distractions. Thanks for sharing! Great post! I have been using a wrap and a sling with our baby both at home and at work–which are great for me. But my hubby has better luck using the buckles and straps of the more mainstream snugli style carrier.

It is really important trying out different types at different ages and to be flexible enough to experiment.

I just went to my 13 year olds school concert with our 8 week old in the sling. She discreetly nursed the whole time, even with the elderly gentleman sitting right next to us! Another parent there had to take their impatient little one out of the auditorium when things got too loud…which made me really proud of how safe and calm my little one must have felt even with all of the noises and distractions.

Thanks for sharing!

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