To use headbands on baby?

[AliceMarie89]

The fabric kind? Also pram shoes? I've been judged massively for both recently and want to ask other mums :/

Oh gosh I can't believe all this time I've been judged when taking her places

In real life no one cares or notices what someone else's baby is wearing.

As well as being a strangulation hazard, headbands can cause other problems. I have worn them as an adult but most are itchy, damage my hair at the roots (they actually cause bald patches, arrghh), and the pressure gives me a headache. Why would you risk causing your baby discomfort when there's no reason to?

When I catch myself judging someone because of how they dress their baby, I like to remind myself that judging people because of their dress sense and making assumptions about their intelligence and character beacsue of it is ignorant and stupid.

I don't like headbands because I think that they are potentially dangerous, and I think that babies that can't walk shouldn't be in shoes, even pram shoes. Nothing to do with class.

I think they are fine, when you are out of the house and the baby is being carried etc.

They just need taking off when put down to sleep, or once in the house.

Likewise with the beaded dummy clips and other stuff that you see Mums use.

MN doesn't always make sense on these issues. You'll get the majority of posters saying it's fine to not use a stairgate/fireguard, or to leave the baby in the house/car. Likewise having a drink etc when pregnant.

But put a headband on a child and you face certain death or deformity.

*because

If soft fabric headbands were sooo dangerous why on earth would they be sold in Mothercare, Mamas & Papas etc?? Ridiculous statement

There is a link above to an article about a baby's death due to a headband. So yes - dangerous.

People are very judgemental OP. Headbands on babies is seen as a working-class social class signifier, so everybody will say stuff like "tacky" "cheap" , but they say the same thing about every single fashion that is not middle class

I honestly wouldnt let it bother you. You dress your baby how you want her dressed. Most people in real life wont even give it a passing thought

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/3310727-Baby-headbands

In my opinion headbands are horrible, they look ridiculous and are tacky. They provide no use and you can choose lovely girly clothes and bibs if that is your taste.

Pram shoes, I don't think they're completely unnecessary and I do have some little bootie style ones for my son over the top of socks they keep his feet warm and look super cute. He's never worn pram shoes very often though, he kicks them off.

However she's your baby and it's up to you, and certainly not for anyone else to criticise your choices. So I'd ignore them.

OP, even if not headbands and shoes you will still be judged on something else. It sucks but it's true.

I think those headbands with massive flowers look ridiculous on little bald babies. My DS had LOADS of hair when born, he still does. I used to tie the front up in one of my bobbles just so he could see. He had a mad little pony tail that stood straight up from his forehead (which obviously instantly made him a girl). So I could see why parent's might use them if they have hairy babies like mine, but I wouldn't if not necessary.

Same for pram shoes really. Put them on to look cute for a picture or something but really they are just going to fall off into the buggy blankets anyway.

@PhilomenaButterfly It doesn't hurt you to hear that, and it's not like it's going to make your daughter grow a willy.
On the other hand, the headband could kill her.
Just pull up your big girl pants and ignore them.

The OP has asked for an opinion HugoBearsMummy, and I am not clear what makes any of those expressed “dated”. Baby headbands are a risk - however slight that might be, just why would you? I would have thought baggies or similar are better than pram shoes for comfort and warmth. I would think pram shoes a bit naff if someone pointed them out, but haven’t noticed a baby wearing them.

I wouldn't use either. My only thought when dressing my newborn was putting her in the most comfortable clothes possible - so babygros - as they spend all day lying down. The fewer things restricting them or digging into them the better.

You've got the rest of their childhood for cutsie outfits and shoes.

How old is the baby?

@PhilomenaButterfly why does that matter though? Why do you need strangers to know what genitalia your baby has? My dd was mistaken for a boy a lot when she was small, I just smiled at them as it had zero impact on me or her. No need to 'trot out' anything!

Babies in jeans is another bugbear of mine. So still and uncomfortable

Stiff, not still

Ok thanks. I get the point now!!

My daughter is 7 months

Both unnecessary and chavvy imo, no need for either at all and I would judge you

I don't see the point of either and I'd worry about the safety of headbands 🤷🏼‍♀️

I didn’t like to dress my baby in jeans and any headbands went in the bin. But I just thought they would both be restricting and I that headbands might cause headaches. But I definitely wouldn’t judge anyone that’s just my opinion.

No need to 'trot out' anything!
Well that too - does it matter if the stranger carries on thinking your baby is a boy?

Headbands for babies - just no. I hate them personally, so unnecessary.

At 7mths soft pram shoes are ok. I think I got some from Inch Blue. If you’re talking rigid shoes for a non-walker then no. But I tended to use booties with my kids, too. I never used clips or bows for my daughter at that age but that was because I just thought they’re pointless and she’d always make it known she didn’t like anyone touching her hair!