[blparent] my delemma and why i need suggestions on commuting

Fri Aug 12 00:43:30 UTC 2011

I use a back pack for Harrison. It's got a kick stand so you can take it off
for feeding or rest without taking out the child. It has a sun shade and a
rain fly. It's got plenty of pockets and it allows your hands to be free for
the cane and anything else you may need. 

It's somewhat weighty but kids get heavy no matter what you do. The
kickstand causes the most weight but it's the feature I use most often. We
love it! 

I take him hiking or anywhere else we wish to go in it. The only issue is
when Harrison wants to nap. He does rest at times but he's sitting straight
up. His body just sort of flops down in it so we stop, take a break and
eventually keep moving.  

So when we walk and he's sleepy before we leave the house, we take out the
stroller. 

I use the stroller rarely but sometimes it's our best option. 

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Lisamaria Martinez, NOMC
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 5:01 PM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] my delemma and why i need suggestions on commuting

Hi,

So, the carriier is very comfortable. The aches and pains come from the 
rough environment and my legs or ankles just giving out on me. When I 
encounter a valley sized crack in the sidewalk I trip but catch myself very 
quickly and the result of that is sore and knotted leg muscles.

The straps on the Butterfly carrier, which is the one I have, are fantastic,

just not comfy enough when I have a tension headache that reaches my neck 
and shoulders.

So, I'm shopping around for ideas and solutions.

---- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jennith Lucas" <nethy.ann at gmail.com>
To: "NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List" <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Sent: Thursday, August 11, 2011 4:24 PM
Subject: Re: [blparent] my delemma and why i need suggestions on commuting

> LM,
>
> I don't commute with Gideon, but we do a lot of walking and wearing.
> It sounds to me like your carrier might not be fitting properly. Could
> this be possible? We've started wearing our Gideon on the back, at 8
> months, 25 pounds, and 28 inches, but I still am able to wear him on
> the front comfortably for long periods of time.
>
> Your description of how you're feeling sounds EXACTLY how I've felt
> when I get a carry that's not quite right. It hurts for days, even if
> I take a break from carrying.
>
> I can't speak to your exact carrier, but I'm pretty certain it's
> similar to mine, just buckles where mine has ties.
>
> My other thought would be maybe you could just use the sling, making
> sure to switch shoulders. He sounds like a good size for the ring
> sling, though that's not a permanent solution, as I know from
> experience. (Gideon is just too big for the my ring sling; however,
> when I wore a friend's little boy who is 18 lbs it was wonderful and
> easy.)
>
> I have no suggestions as to stroller, as we haven't bought one since
> we stopped using his infant seat/stroller frame set up. However, if
> you do think a different carrier would help, I recommend checking out
> thebabywearer.com. You have to register for the forum, but people are
> very helpful and knowledgeable.
>
> Hope this helps! It sounds like a rough time for both you guys! Get
> lots of rest!!
>
> Jennith
>
> On Thu, Aug 11, 2011 at 6:00 PM, Lisamaria Martinez, NOMC
> <lmartinez217 at gmail.com> wrote:
>> Hi,
>>
>> I'd love to hear what other parents are doing who work and commute with 
>> their kids.
>>
>> Erik and I commute into the city and back for approximately 4 hours a 
>> day. It's putting a lot of wear on my body though--especially as he gets 
>> heavier. He's five and a half months old and about 19 pounds. He's also 
>> pretty long at somewhere over 26 inches--and, ahhh, he's do for one of 
>> those major growth spurts since six months is around the corner. Yikes!
>>
>> Anyways, I use a Beco Butterfly carrier and I love it. Anyone know if 
>> there is a suggested height limit for front carriers? I carry him in the 
>> front because I sit for about 45 minutes each way and the whole process 
>> of switching him from back to front would be really 
>> combersome--especially during crowded commuting hours. plus, he's a major

>> drooler and I can't have him drooling all down the back of my work 
>> clothes every day.
>>
>> As he gets heavier, I find myself tripping more or stumbling more on the 
>> terrible streets of San Francisco. The sidewalks are awful, and I twist 
>> my ankles frequently on the cracks and objects lying in wait.
>>
>> I've got a City Mini stroller, but the elavators in the BART systems 
>> often break down and they are pretty gross and dirty to begin with. I've 
>> got an umbrella stroller I'm consdidering using along with a ring sling. 
>> So, I have a super light weight stroller to use when I walk and a carrier

>> to pop him in and out of while on the train. But, using an umbrella 
>> stroller and a cane is a bit challenging. I gfigured out how to hold my 
>> cane and one of the handles in my hand, but ouch whenever the tip gets in

>> a crack!
>>
>> Any suggestions for how I can keep my body bfrom breaking? I'm home today

>> from work because my shoulder has just had enough and is protesting 
>> greatly. Also, I get so many headaches that originate in my nexk and 
>> shoulders and when I wear him, it makes things hurt worse.
>>
>> So, I know I sound like a crybaby, ha ha, but I'm open for some ideas 
>> from those who are living it too.
>>
>> Thanks,
>> LM
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>
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