[blparent] Baby Wearing

Thu Jul 23 20:31:02 UTC 2015

Dear Niko,

I also used a front pack (Snugli) with my daughter, who is now thirty-one.
It worked beautifully for about the first 18 months. I tried using a frame
pack on my back when she was about a year old, but I didn't care for it
because she would stand up and it felt precarious to me; with her on my back
I couldn't easily reach around to settle her. Also, having her facing me in
the front carrier was much better for interaction between us. Once she was
too big for the front pack she started walking beside me, holding my hand or
using a harness, which was great in stores and other crowded places. 

One thing I learned from other blind parents was to have her hold hands when
she was out with any adult, even if the person were sighted. It was
sometimes hard to persuade people that this was important, but I really
insisted on it. That way my daughter didn't get the idea that she could run
free with other people but had to hold hands with boring old Mom. She
remained very comfortable holding my hand on the street well into elementary
school.

Debbie

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Judy Jones
via blparent
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2015 1:25 PM
To: Blind Parents Mailing List <blparent at nfbnet.org>
Cc: Judy Jones <Judy.Jones at icbvi.idaho.gov>
Subject: Re: [blparent] Baby Wearing

Hello Niko,

We definitely "wore" our girls, and you are right, the more time and
attention you give when they are young, the more self-directed and
independent they will be when older.  The way it works, they are learning
you are meeting their needs, so they won't worry that you won't be there for
them when they are older.  When very young, we would not let our kids cry,
but be there for them to meet a need.  I'm not talking about a kid crying
because they aren't having their way or are being rebellious as an older
toddler.  I'm talking about those who can't talk yet or are just learning.

Both our girls have certainly proven this to be true, have not been shy,
made friends easily, and are confident young women.  It's been said the more
time you spend with them when they're little, the less time you'll need to
worry about them when they are bigger.

I would say, take the queues from your baby.  Our girls are now 28 and 25,
but fond memories are of carrying them first in a front pack, then later
when they can hold up their head and sit, the frame pack.  Both girls loved
getting in the frame pack, and I only stopped carrying them when they were
tall enough to stand in the frame pack with it resting on the floor.  Each
was around 40 pounds more or less when  that happened.

Our eldest was very content to be in a pack and was our "easy'" baby.  Our
youngest wanted to do more exploring and more movement, so we used a
hand-holder with her more than we did our eldest.

There are times when they want to be close, or you want them close with you
for safety reasons, so the pack is good, but if you notice them getting
restless and you are somewhere where they can walk with you, do that.

Always carry things like string cheese and bottled juice for toddlers.  They
get whiny when tired or hungry, and treats can keep them calm and happy, and
replenished.

As really young babies, I tried holding them in a snuggly when doing
housework, and that worked some, unless I had to do a lot of bending.  Then
you need to make sure the neck and head are supported.  Sometimes they like
that movement, sometimes not.

When our eldest was attending classes at the Y, I would have our youngest in
the frame pack, and I used to use the rowing machine with her in the pack,
also treadmill or bike.

I also helped out every day at the pre-K my older daughter was in, and the
younger one would take her naps in the frame pack on my back during that
time.

About guide dogs?  I have had four guides, my husband five, and they all
adapt marvelously to young ones.  When you are wearing your young one, while
the dog is guiding you, you may want to be aware if your child is reaching
out to the sides with their arms, to make sure they have enough clearance,
that is fine, but if you are in a narrow area, just be aware.  You can tell
when they reach, because you will feel a shift in weight on your back.  But
using a dog will be fine if you are having no guide problems.

A kudos to my husband.  He went everywhere with a frame pack and a girl, and
having the frame pack allowed us to be very mobile.

Hope all this helps.

>From an "old" mom.  (smiles)

Judy

-----Original Message-----
From: blparent [mailto:blparent-bounces at nfbnet.org] On Behalf Of Niko C. via
blparent
Sent: Thursday, July 23, 2015 11:06 AM
To: blparent at nfbnet.org
Cc: Niko C.
Subject: [blparent] Baby Wearing

Hi all,

I am a first time father-to-be--my wife is due in December, and I'm
wondering what everyone's experience with baby waring is.

If you ware or wore your baby, can you recommend a carrier or sling? Did you
switch after baby was a certain age?

I know a lot of people ware their babies all the time, even when doing
household chores. Is this practical, and did you do this more than putting
the baby in a play pen?

Also, I am a bit worried about running into things when I'm in an unfamiliar
environment. I have a Seeing Eye dog, so I don't typically have this issue,
and I am very comfortable with my home, so I don't have that problem their
either, but I think I will be overly cautious when I am carrying my daughter
around.

Finally, if you wore your baby a lot, did you find that he or she was more
clingy as they got older? From the research I've done, it seems like the
opposite is true, but it is still a concern of mine.

--
Niko Carpenter
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