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

Fri Aug 12 19:15:07 UTC 2011

Also, especially on trains where there is space, I've had Austin and Oriana
in a backpack and taken the pack off my back and held it very securely on
the floor by my feet with the kickstand out.  This has been especially
helpful when I had a sleeping baby; I didn't have to take him or her out of
the pack yet he or she was off my back and I could be a little more relaxed.
Certainly this won't work if the train is extremely crowded and you have to
stand, or if it's a really bumpy ride and you're worried about having the
pack be as secure as you'd like it.  Also, about the comfort of sleeping in
a backpack...  I've found with the kids I've been around, mine included,
that what looks really uncomfortable for me does not seem to bother the baby
at all.  This includes sleeping in the backpack, sleeping in the car seat
sometimes, or even that occasional nap in the highchair.  If there is one
thing being a parent has taught me it is let sleep babies sleep whenever
possible, where ever they happen to fall asleep.  Perhaps your baby will not
like sleeping in the backpack, which is completely different, but certainly
I know many a baby who has napped in a backpack very deeply.
Just some thoughts.
Melissa

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Chad Allen
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 3:03 PM
To: 'NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List'
Subject: Re: [blparent] my dilemma and why i need suggestions on commuting

It's Phil and Ted's backpack. I'm not sure of the name but that's the brand.
It's their top of the line which has the sun and rain fly. 

Harrison sleeps but it's not comfortable for long periods of time. The truth
is that everything has its advantages and disadvantages. One size never fits
all. For me, the backpack is great but if Harrison is sleeping, I simply
wait or get to where I need to go and then hold him while he rests. 

If he is alert, he loves, loves, loves being in the back pack. He is above
everyone and gets to check out the world top side from daddy's back. 

Also, everything I need for Harrison is mostly ready to grab at will.
Obviously, if I need to change him or put on the rain fly, I need to
dismount the kid from my back but I really do go everywhere with him in the
pack. I've even traveled by plane with him in the back and nothing else. 

It's awesome for us. 

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Lisamaria Martinez
Sent: Friday, August 12, 2011 9:31 AM
To: NFBnet Blind Parents Mailing List
Subject: Re: [blparent] my delemma and why i need suggestions on commuting

Chad,

Are you talking about the Kelty? If so, which one? I looked into it
after Erin suggested it. I'm going to see if I can find one to check
out and possibly order.

My other question is about napping. Erik tends to nap to and from the
city. Is it impossible or just kind of awkard for Harrison to sleep in
the back pack?

Thanks,
LM

On 8/11/11, Chad Allen <chad at chadallenmagic.com> wrote:
> 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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