Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Preaching the babywearing word.

I've had the pleasure of using this spiel in real life on two occasions, representing Mississippi Friends of Midwives at our local community market and in the checkout lane at the grocery store.   However, it has played out in my head many more times and I hope to find the courage to approach strangers and preach the babywearing word!


The scene:  Me wearing Liza in our Boba, a SSC, and the other mama wearing a Bjorn, a crotch-dangler.

Me:  Your baby is so cute!  Isn't it great to be able to hold your baby but still have your hands free?
Her:  It is nice.
Me:  Yeah.  I love babywearing.  I've worn a Bjorn before and man, did it hurt my back!!
Her:  Ummm, yeah.
Me:  You know, there are lots of different carriers on the market and with a "good" carrier you can comfortably wear a baby and even a toddler for hours.  My son is almost 3 and loves riding on my back and my husband's back.
Her:  *insert shocked looked on her face*  Really?
Me:  Yeah.  You should google "babywearing" and check out the different options.  They might seem expensive but you can use it for years and even sell it when your babies are all grown up.
Her:  Ummm, okay......


My goal is to sound approachable, full of southern charm and "nod and smile" my way into convincing a mama that babywearing is wonderful and doesn't have to be limited to Baby Bjorns. 

Do you have a babywearing spiel?

11 comments:

JoyFilled said...

There are not many other babywearing mama's in my rural area, and they few that I have seen only have Bjorns or Infantino carriers. I've been approached about my wraps before. But the funny thing is that most people who have approached me about my Beco were ones who were "concerned" about the safety of slings after the big media stuff on bag style pouches. LOL They'd ask me if I knew that it wasn't safe to have my baby in "one of those." I always thought it was funny because a Beco looks NOTHING like those pouches! LOL Most looked at me as if what I was saying was going in one ear and out the other when I'd explain to them the difference.

Laurin said...

Just a suggestion, but I think you should have a little babywearing demo for people who are leery.... you know, coffee and a babywearing lesson. I guess I am just lazy but I don't really like to research stuff. I would rather someone just show me or tell me. (btw, I do realize you have "told" us via blog) I have a bjorn and have used it a few times. It met the immediate need (football games, airports, etc) but I wouldn't wear it just for leisure time. I never bought a wrap because I didn't know how to put it on and I was too lazy to watch videos, etc. If someone I trusted showed me the different options and actually showed me how to use them, I would definitely be more likely to take up baby wearing. Instead, I just hold the baby and break out in a sweat and complain about my aching back! Like I said... lazy.

Laura @ Our Messy Messy Life said...

joyfilled - it surprises me how widespread the message of "slings are bad" became after those horrible slings were exposed. And, yeah, a Beco doesn't look anything like those slings....

Laurin - all good points but you leave out a big factor ---- I'm lazy too! I would love to start a babywearing group which is exactly what you described, a coffee and demo and talk about it type thing. But, like I said, I'm definitely on the lazy side.

childsplay said...

My speil is: My sister loves her carriers! - seriously, I've said this to a few people who have similar carriers as you...

childsplay said...

Laura - the breastfeeding support groups in town usually have a "program" in addition the typical talk - the program may be someone talking about slings/carriers, about kids music, making babyfood, etc...in this same vein could you present at LLL and have someone tape you then post it?

The Quinns said...

Laura- you're sister is so smart, great idea Lizbeth! Also, I had a sling (not th scary kind) last time that i loved and used anytime my child wasn't asleep in her crib or in the car until she outgrew it which happened fast. It was great for a newborn but not for much after- I am anticipating needing my hands a whole lot more for #2 so what's a good starter one? Also, are any recommended for use while nursing and walking around bc i also don't see me getting to sit in a comfy chair and stare at my child in the quiet while she nurses to her hearts content like i did with my first child- i forsee lots of 'on-the-go feeding'!

Mandi @ Living the Good Life said...

Ring slings were my favorite to nurse in and the ergo or mei tai would be runners up!

Ridding the world of crotch danglers, one mama at a time...

Laura @ our messy messy life. said...

Lizbeth, a LLL leader friend and I have talked about doing something similar or even having an extra meeting per month to discuss "natural parenting" type things......maybe we should talk about that again :)

Elizabeth, I loved my ring sling when Liza was a baby but I really want a stretchy wrap if we have another baby. I never really got the hang of nursing on the go so eating and diaper changes were really the only times Liza was out for the first several months.

The Quinns said...

Ok here's another question for you Boba or Beco? They seem very similar so I was just wondering if anyone has any personal experience with one or the other. Thanks!

Laura @ Our Messy Messy Life said...

I have a Boba and LOVE it. They are designed for bigger babies and toddlers, starting at 15 pounds. I only have the Ergo to compare it to and really prefer it over the Ergo because it has a bigger body panel and it is easier to tighten while you are wearing it. Beco has several different styles to choose from and all start at the newborn and have different qualities about them (internal harness for back carries, ability to wear forward facing, etc) You really can't go wrong with a good soft-structured carrier -- Ergo, Boba, Beco, Angelpack, etc. I'm pretty sure you will be perfectly happy with either choice :)

Tara said...

I have decided my personal approach to baby preaching the baby wearing gospel is to gift expectant moms a baby wearing device of some sort at every baby shower I attend. Yeah, they aren't cheap, but it is possible to find some good deals on baby wearing swap boards, etc. The last baby shower I went to I gifted the new mom a Mai tie carrier and did a little demo how to use it. There were two other expectant mamas there and they had all kinds of questions for me afterwards. Baby wearing is kind of a cultural tradition still amongst native Alaskan women, so I encounter a lot of support and interest in my town. I am going to check out a bobs though. I am currently carrying Sadie in an ergo that is on it's 3rd life...but she seems to be getting a little long for it. Thanks for the great post-- really enjoy your blog.