For the past several months I have been getting many promotional e-mails that try to sell me babywearing items. Babywearing in case you don’t know, is the method of carrying a baby using a sling, a pouch etc and having both your hands free for doing other things like picking your nose or grabbing your partner doing the laundry, washing dishes etc. Oh, you know like those Indonesian women like to do?
Apparently nowadays the plague of baby-strapping gadgets is spreading in the internet market. I say internet because I hardly found any in the malls but man! those that had been flooding my mailbox sure come in different designs and methods of wearing. For example you get to choose if you want to have your baby strapped on your chest like a third boob, or lower on tummy (great for hiding the extra baggage) or at the back like some kind of living knack sack.
Mind you I have those gadgets too. The first one is Maclaren Techno Baby Carrier 2007 and secondly the HotMama Pouch by Melor. Pictures of my son in the Maclaren can be found all over this website. The HotMama Pouch however, hardly been used because Miki preferred THE MORE EXPENSIVE carrier. Spoilt kid! Tsk tsk!
Since our son was three months we have started to ‘wear’ him and he loves it. We wear our son when we go out for a quick shopping trip, or a quick stroll at the park that is not stroller friendly. Mostly on short sessions and because of the fact that he cannot walk without support yet.
Though we have two carriers, and though the Maclaren is so comfortable till my son can fall asleep in it, I JUST STILL DON’T GET IT! Why anybody would wants to have their baby strapped to themselves all the time like in the advertisement?
I don’t understand why would I need to wear a toddler that can already walk on his own? Especially at the parks where he should be exploring nature, touching the grass, the animals and learn about life? Didn’t we bring the kids there so they can feel dried leaves crunches beneath their feet and the wind blows in their hair?
I also can’t see the need to be carrying our baby all over the place while we are sweeping the floor or vacuuming. Why don’t we let them practice their motor skills and stretch those young muscles WHILE PLAYING IN THE PLAYPEN or on the floor? I don’t think babies and toddlers get much activities done by getting stuck on his Mummy’s chest who is mopping the floor. I know there are some babies that would just bawl once we put them down. My son is sometimes like that too but if we give them some toys or books to read wouldn’t they get distracted?
My point is, baby wearing is good only when your baby is small and still insecure. They would calm down as they hear your heart beats. In my opinion baby wearing is not exactly suitable for those eager-for-knowledge-and-experience toddlers.
Baby wearing is also very instrumental when you need to bring your baby to a certain places for a short time. Especially when the stroller is too cumbersome and he is too heavy to be carried with bear hands; plus you are in need of your free hands! For example the night market that’s too dirty and the kids might just get lost in the crowd.
Babywearing is not for long period of time. Be honest with me a 9 kilo baby strapped on your front or back not gonna be plenty? Maybe if you are this guy. I’d say it’s not very ergonomic. And I think babywearing a toddler would not instill much sense of independence and confidence in himself. He would be better off playing lego than playing a koala stuck on tree.
Bottom line is I just think that a child would gain more by playing and exploring rather than get worn on his mom/dad’s chest all time. Like Hafiy here! A lot of brain cells are working over there!
Ah! Just my two cents. Happy babywearing…
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