tips on dealing with "well meaning"family

[trina-b]

Hi ladies-I am a new member and also new to baby wearing.It was quite unintentional but once i put my babe in the 'babybuddha'strechy carrier my mum sent me-I am hooked and so is my bub!
I was just curious to now how others handle family friends and even complete strangers saying that wearing my baby to help him sleep and settle is "bad".I am so tired of hearing how I am going to spoil him or damage his spine or make him sleep dependant that I want to sceam.I often say"my baby and I are happier this way"but they don't listen.
I will not give in to conventional cotrolled crying methods and would like my family to respect the choice i have made.I have tried to educate myself on all the benefits of baby wearing too so I can rattle those off-I hope sharing your experiences will help me to stop second guessing myself and continue to be be proud to wear my baby

[Liz]

Quite simply tell them it's not them that's having to wear the baby or help him to sleep so they don't need to worry about it. It's worked for me. Then it's a matter of patience... proof is in the pudding.. when they see your well adjusted, well sleeping baby/toddler, they can't say anything anymore.

People know not to comment on DD still waking through the night, because *shock horror* it wasn't a lifelong bad habit after all with my DS! LOL. Just be confident, thank them for their concern and say you're happy doing things this way

[murraysmum]

i wore my son and i can tell u it helped his colic big time as he was upright he had my warmth against his tummy he was relaxed and felt safe

he co slept with me till he was 4 mnths i dont regret doing this as now im glad i got those months i did

i would tell them its ur desision and the crying methods dont work

[LaDeeDa]

I had a colicy bub who screamed and screamed ..... after I started wearing him he stopped crying and hasn't started since. He also goes to sleep in other ways.

Do what works for you and your baby - there is no right or wrong way - just the way that works for you xox

[trina-b]

thanks for you replies and i look forward to visiting this forum often x

[~Kim~]

sucks doesn't it?
I just used to smile and say hmmmm.
Like Liz, they know better the second time around, but be buoyed by the smile of stangers when they see your little bundle snuggled in.
at least you'll find support here.

[The_Source]

Babies are just that - babies - they sleep a lot an will sleep wherever they are from the bassinet to the car to a sling it does not matter. (I have never had a child come to me yet insisting that they must sleep in my ring-sling or the car seat! )

Baby wearing is great for:

* Settling an upset tummy and relieving wind that refused to surface when burping just from Mum's motion
* Maintaining a healthy body temperature, particularly on these colder days, which means more energy can be spent growing instead of 'heating'.
* Being near Mum's scent can allow baby to sleep longer periods from the simple feeling of security meaning they have more restorative sleep which allows them to be more avid learners about their world when awake.

Like PP, we had a stomach issue, not colic but rather that the valve at the top of DS1 & DS2's stomach didn't close properly. We had to prop up on end of the cot mattress and use 'baby chocs' to hold them in bed without slipping down just so they didn't spill their meals. By the time I got my first sling I was expecting number 3 who didn't have the same issues as his brothers but got plenty of great use out of the sling for the reasons above.

[StrawberryMumma]

It's really hard not to doubt yourself isn't it?..But it sounds like you are doing brilliantly ..you have found a way of parenting that works for you and something that you love- well done! I love our sling because I feel like I am really making the most of all those baby cuddles! and they are so very precious. I don't want to leave my baby in it's bed all alone, crying itself to sleep..I want it safely snuggled into me

Also wanted to say that I found that with my first bub I really let everyone elses attitudes and comments get to me, but second time round I feel very confident in how my DH care for our little ones. So just be strong and believe what you are doing!

[shellbell3]

Its funny cause family would comment about starting bad habits but strangers would come up to me and say what a great idea. Esp elderly woman would ask me about it and say they wish they had that in their day.
I just would smile and say we do what works for us, you can do what works for you.