AIBU to wince at a lot of baby wearing

[PetalMettle]

Baby wearing seems to have got a lot more popular in the last few years which is obviously potentially a good thing but people don't seem to know the TICKS guidelines. I frequently see children half way down their parents torsos and not properly supported. There was a kid the other day whose feet were wandering around his fathers groin. I always feel like I should say something because potential danger but that I can't. Anyone else have this?

[fitzbilly]

I guess there are going to be proper doing it wrong now that it is more mainstream and popular. It's a shame, because done right it's really comfortable and good for the baby.

I don't know how you could say anything though!

[Mozfan1]

No, can't say I pay enough attention to other people tbh.

[PetalMettle]

No you can't can you, it's just when it's tinies it really scares me, particularly if they're overdressed as well

[SprogletsMum]

I used to know someone who used to carry their baby forward facing in a mobile wrap with only the crossover straps over him.
He did fall out and now she slags off baby wearing to anyone and everyone because it's so dangerous.

[SprogletsMum]

Moby not mobile

[Blackpoollassy]

Saw a baby dangling in a baby bjorn in the queue at the hip dysplasia clinic!

[Slothlikesundays]

Saw someone jogging with their baby in a sling. The poor babies head was jiggling all over the place.

[paulweller73Murielswedding]

I despise the term "baby wearing" You wear clothes and accessories not people.

[CaptainCallisto]

There's a lady I see every day on my way to work cycling along with her baby in a mei tei on her front. Not tied properly, baby flopping about all over the place... It terrifies me! If she comes off that bike {shudder}

[LemonScentedStickyBat]

Yes, I see babies being carried far too low all the time. Sometimes I think the parent's back must be aching!

[Shenanagins]

paulweller glad it's not just me !

[beela]

Yes, I would love to know how to point out the TICKS guidelines without sounding like a patronising and interferring judgey mum.

I don't think it is possible, sadly.

[SanityAssassin]

Its the endless FB selfies of grinning mother and totally scrunched up fully able to walk child that get me plus 'baby wearing' is a totally nauseating and self absorbed expression (most of us just 'use a sling').

[Duckyneedsaclean]

What SanityAssassin said!

[MrsRhubarb]

YANBU. But it's so difficult to think of the right way to say anything without getting their backs up. Sadly I think a lot of people who don't do it right are the ones who then go on to tell other parents that it isn't safe/ hurts your back/ baby hates it, but if you do try and help they don't want to know.

[FlamingoSnuffle]

Hate the term baby wearing. I carried my baby, I didn't wear him.

But all the parents I have seen have their baby high enough up.

[rainyinnovember]

People see many sad things.

To be honest I like slings. You can walk with them over countryside where you can't take a pram and it's less faff.

But WHO CARES

And I hate the term baby wearing.

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

Totally agree. I have to look away because I feel the need to say something and have no desire to be punched.

[shopaholic999]

Thank you for bringing the tick guidelines to me.

Just yesterday I started using a carrier and dont really know what I'm doing with it just yet as I've never been to sling meets or libraries so will take a look at them now!

[PatriciaHolm]

"Saw a baby dangling in a baby bjorn in the queue at the hip dysplasia clinic!"

Actually, that may not have been a bad thing. The ideal angle for a baby's legs is angled outwards slightly. DD had a pavlik harness for 6 months as a baby and her hips were held out like a little frogs', about the same angle as a some carriers hold them - splayed around the parent.

If of course they were dangling with legs hanging down then that's not good, but good baby carriers/slings should allow for the proper placement of hips. Problem is many parents think this looks "uncomfortable" for the baby; the hospital actually took pictures of 4 day old DD in her harness looking content as they said many people just didn't believe it could be comfortable!

[SpotTheDuck]

Just a link for anybody else who had never heard of TICKS!

babyslingsafety.co.uk

[ohisay]

At least you're seeing people carrying babies, I saw a dog in a sling in the school playground today!

[FatOldBag]

I'd want someone to show me how to do it properly if I was babywearing. But I suppose not everyone likes help. You could always ask them. I'm off to google ticks guidelines, thanks.

[peaceloveandbiscuits]

The Baby Bjorn is infamous for not always having baby's hips and legs in the froggy position.

[ILostItInTheEarlyNineties]

When you say you are concerned if the babies are overdressed, I assume you mean too hot, rather than wearing a cocktail dress as day wear?

In the UK, I don't think they would overheat in a sling to the point of it being dangerous. What about babies in slings in Africa?
I think it's more of a worry that the parent will fall over. I saw a mum with a sling walking along in the snow and ice which looked very risky. A pram would surely have been more sensible.