Sunday, October 03, 2010

Babywearing Memories

Just another mommy, pitching in her two cents about baby slings and baby wearing...
My heart breaks for every parent who loses their child, be it due to product or user error...
If there truly are faults with ONE product, then that should be remedied, for sure...
But to think of the closeness and convenience that wearing my babies allowed and to think that it could be robbed from a future mother...
or father, makes me truly, truly sad.
I've never had a baby fall from a sling or get stuck in one, but I have had a stroller tip over WHILE my child was within it. I've also had situations where emergency required me to grasp my 3 year old by his arm before a car ran him over or to throw my arms out to balance myself while carrying Corinne in a sling. Had I been carrying my daughter in my arms without the extra support of the sling, she could have easily gotten hurt as Evan was when he was being carried in my arms. I slipped on the stairs and couldn't stop myself. Though I tried to protect us both, his little body was flung from me... ..and after much screaming and x-rays, it was determined that his sweet 1 year old leg was broken. A sling might have prevented that injury... So, which is safer? My arms, a stroller, or a sling?The only options I had back when the boys were babies was a backpack carrier and a Snugli, both of which killed my back and weren't feasible after 20 pounds or so.
The sling, though? My little girl was a breeze in it up to age 3 and still, at almost 5 years old, STILL talks about how she loved being my little Koala bear in the sling.

Babywearing memories are something I'll always treasure. Please link up to Adventures in Babywearing to share your babywearing stories or photos. Visit the BCIA and contribute your support over there, too. Our voices need to be heard as the big wigs of baby safety are discussing what the future of babywearing is...

11 comments:

designHER Momma said...

It's so true, accidents can happen everywhere. Babywearing is truly an art, and we must respect it and become educated.

Stephanie Wilson she/her @babysteph said...

Oh, I love seeing you in these photos!! Thank you so much for sharing your memories!! :)

Steph

Lisa @ Crazy Adventures in Parenting said...

You're absolutely right, accidents can happen anywhere.

I love your pictures, they are so precious! <3

~L0SERM0M~ said...

Hi Tracey!
I had a friend that swore by her sling. That is all she ever used with her youngest. I often heard her say that if she knew what a wonderful thing they were with her 1st she would have NEVER had a stroller. =)

I also wanted to ask if you would take a sneak at my new blog post. I'd like to get your input since you are a mom AND a homeschooler. I'd really appreciate it =) Thanks!

Kat said...

Exactly! I think wearing your babies is far safer than a stroller or just carrying them!!!

AiringMyLaundry said...

Cute photos.

I could never get into the babywearing thing myself.

CaraBee said...

I wore my daughter everywhere for most of her first year. She was my little roo. In a sling as an infant and a Bjorn when she was a little bigger. There are dangers everywhere. EVERYWHERE. Banning something as wonderful as this because of a few incidents is ridiculous.

Manic Mommy said...

Love, love, loved carrying around the boys in the Bjorn. Anything can be dangerous if not used correctly.

Unknown said...

What a bunch of great photos! (well, except for the broken leg one...) Thanks for sharing so much of our babywearing experience!

Tonya said...

great post! I used a sling with my 9 1/2 year old :) They just weren't as cute or small.

Maura said...

Love this!

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