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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To have felt a bit scared for this newborn

183 replies

StripeyDogs · 22/08/2016 19:43

Was in busy supermarket this afternoon.
Lots of kids/trolleys/shelf stackers etc.
There was a couple walking about, mum with trolley & dad with the teeniest of newborns I have seen in a while, all cute and floppy. But just being held in his arms.
I saw them a few times in the space of half an hr, and everytime all I could think was don't drop him/her!

AIBU for thinking it was a bit daft of them?

OP posts:
CinderellaFant · 22/08/2016 20:12

If he was literally juggling the baby and some milk and other shopping then I would see where you were coming from, but can't see why you would be bothered by a father carrying his baby. When DD was a baby I often carried her from the car into DS school to pick him up. Helped him put his coat on and carried the school bag too- never once came close to dropping her. Hmm

cardibach · 22/08/2016 20:14

I've never been bumped into (apart from by DD when young and 'helping') or tripped in a supermarket. I've used a wide range in a variety of places.
Really can't see the problem here OP - YABVU.

SisterViktorine · 22/08/2016 20:15

Presumably you have read the horror stories about babies dying in slings from overheating? I'm not suggesting slings are dangerous, but I would guess the risks are only similar from those of being bumped into by a trolley whilst in a parent's arms.

How are you ever going to let your own DC on a scooter or bike or trampoline?

TaliZorahVasNormandy · 22/08/2016 20:18

I saw my neighbour carrying her baby in her arms while walking a medium sized dog. Dog looked strong enough to pull her over if he wanted too.

Not something id do, but probably easier than pissing about with both dog and pram.

frumpet · 22/08/2016 20:19

DS2 hated slings of every variety , loved being held , if you had popped by with your sling library leaflets you would have caught me cooking tea on a very hot hob whilst holding him and being surrounded by other children and a very large and clumsy dog , I mastered the art of one handed onion chopping Grin

Original poster
StripeyDogs · 22/08/2016 20:19

Maybe sister
Fwiw my 2yr old is already riding a pedal bike as superfast speed without stabilisers, which is scary to watch, and my 6yr old is a dab hand at rock climbing, so I'm not precious.
But the fragility of a newborn scares me.

OP posts:
meck · 22/08/2016 20:20

'Dad' was juggling milk, butter and a babe in arms and 'mum' was standing by with the trolley.

Grin
currentlyunavailable · 22/08/2016 20:21

Absolutely gobsmacked.

I have always thought that the safest place for a baby was the parents arms unless they are driving I suppose

LuluJakey1 · 22/08/2016 20:21

DH would have carried DS everywhere if I'd let him- he was so proud and besotted with him. He definitely carried him round Sainsbury's and once round John Lewis and Waitrose.

phillipp · 22/08/2016 20:22

You have your arms free in a sling so if you do trip you can catch yourself.

Yes but accidents happen. My mil fell on her stomach at 26 weeks pregnant and her baby's died. Her arms didn't catch her.

That doesn't mean she or I go round telling everyone that slings are dangerous and worry about babies in them.

YeOldMa · 22/08/2016 20:22

Are you practicing for a job in 'elf 'n' safety? You'll do well!

MrsRhubarb · 22/08/2016 20:23

YANBU. When I first had DD I was terrified of the sort of hard floors they have in supermarkets (and maternity wings) They seemed so easy for you to slip over on and send your precious little bundle of joy flying. I'm not in the habit of falling over in supermarkets, but once I was holding a teeny baby it was all I could think of.

Thank god for slings or I'd have had to stop going into shops until my pram hating DD could walk.

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 22/08/2016 20:24

I honestly don't see the problem. What is more natural than carrying a tiny baby?

My granny (born about 1890, 6 kids) told me she once asked her own mother, born about 1860, 10 kids, what on earth she had done without a pram.
'I used my arms.'

The term 'babe in arms' is still used for a reason!

Original poster
StripeyDogs · 22/08/2016 20:25

Yes mrs slipping in supermarkets is very common as it's hard to see the liquod on the floor as the pattern of floor is usually speckled. I've seen more people slip in a supermarket than carry a newborn

OP posts:
Dontyoulovecalpol · 22/08/2016 20:25

OP my newborn fell out of a sling. I shudder a bit when I see a newborn in one! Scariest thing that ever happened.

Carrying a baby around in your arms though is normal

RabbitSaysWoof · 22/08/2016 20:27

It's good you didn't say something.
The worst thing about having a small baby for me was feeling under the microscope every time you take them somewhere. I used to wish people knew how to walk past a baby without having to notice something.
I'm sure the strangers child is safe.

meck · 22/08/2016 20:28

Oh yes, dangerous places supermarket floors. You can't be too careful

Andrewofgg · 22/08/2016 20:29

SpainTrotter When my DS was small (shock, horror) there was no online anything and you bought things by going into retail premises - we called them "shops" where people exchanged goods for money. And some of the people who came in with money and left with goods were holding children!

You might not believe it. Ask an older person.

And we got by!

DerelictMyBalls · 22/08/2016 20:29

YABVU!

APlaceOnTheCouch · 22/08/2016 20:31

It's just as well you didn't see me when DS was a baby. Not only did I carry him round the supermarket but I breastfed him whilst pushing the trolley round.

megletthesecond · 22/08/2016 20:33

Oh I always have a moment of worry when I see newborns in arms in busy shops Blush. Disclaimer, I have mammoth anxiety issues.

phillipp · 22/08/2016 20:34

So I falling over in the supermarket is so common, do pregnant women avoid them?

I am totally confused as to why a supermarket is such a tripping hazard. But pregnant women seem to go in them recklessly, endangering their unborn baby!!Shock

Hulababy · 22/08/2016 20:35

We used to carry dd a lot when she was a baby. She liked it. She didn't like the pushchair much when small initially and I was less keen on using the trolley seats with my pfb. She was safe in my arms or those of her dad.

I see babies carried lots, round and about. I see them carried in arms far more than I see them in slings TBH. I never think anything negative about it ever. Just normally makes me smile.

QuestionableMouse · 22/08/2016 20:36

I carried my nephew around a few weeks ago. He wasn't happy in the pram and his mam needed her hands free to shop. He loved it and was safe.

yummymummy1920 · 22/08/2016 20:37

I wish I didn't have to carry my baby.. But every time we walk into a supermarket he wants feeding whether he's just been fed or not
So I quite often have to walk round and hold the baby and feed him and concentrate on the constant babbling of my DP.
It's probably time to try having it delivered Grin