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?

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!

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

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

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.

Moby not mobile

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

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

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

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}

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

paulweller glad it's not just me !

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.

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').

What SanityAssassin said!

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.

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.

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.

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

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!

"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!

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

babyslingsafety.co.uk

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

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.

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

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.