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Baby Carriers / Slings

171 replies

Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:21

Hi - Just wondering where other chaps stand on the issue of the babycarriers (slings and things like that) We are due our first in 55 days (not that I am counting!!), and I was chatting to some mates on the subject of slings and carriers and the general view is that men that do wear them look "Pussy whipped" is how it was explained. For my sins I tend to see that point of view more so than any others. I mentioned it today at work and most of the females tend to think grow up - but the men tended to agree, but none of them have children either.

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LittleMyDancing · 29/05/2008 20:23

DP slung (slinged? pedants help me out!) our DS quite often, he loved it.

to be honest, it's like a big cuddle with your DC, so what's not to like?

besides, less pussy whipped and more pussy magnet - if he went out with DS without me, it was like bees round honey - women cooing and clucking over him and DS

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:29

I know that it does sound silly - but I would be so self aware and waorried about bumping into friends. I would just feel that I looked a twat.

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Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:30

erm slings or a baby bjorn i think they are called?

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Paddlechick666 · 29/05/2008 20:31

lol @ littlemydancing, it's true you will be pussy magnet!

you can get some great "macho" mai tei slings in camo colours etc.

it's a fabulous thing for you, your partner and your baby. especially if they're windy or colicky.

check out www.bigmamaslings.co.uk/zen-cart/babyhawk-mei-tai-baby-carrier-p-295.html
and at www.slingjax.co.uk you can rent before you buy.

contrats on your impending new arrival

btw, it's slung

Paddlechick666 · 29/05/2008 20:33

wouldn't recommend a baby bjorn altho they are very popular with dads.

maybe you can just wear your baby around the house to begin with and let your partner wear the baby when you're out.

you'll soon get into it!

another link www.slingmeet.co.uk where you can go meet a bunch of people who babywear and try their stock of slings and carriers before you buy one yourself.

LittleMyDancing · 29/05/2008 20:33

Paddlechick is right, you don't have to stick with a Baby Bjorn, there's lots of designs that are less under the thumb looking.

I would just wait and see what you feel comfortable with - the things you care about change a lot when you have a baby.

good luck with the birth!

PhDlifeNeedsaNewLife · 29/05/2008 20:34

My dh wore ds a lot around the house in a wrap, wore him in a Bjorn outdoors, and has now graduated to a backpack, as ds is 13m and heavy.

FWIW, I think it shows a man has the balls to demonstrate his love for his child. Am going to shut up now before I get on my doctoral high horse.

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:34

Thanks for the link - but I think they are aimed at females. If designed for men there would be a point to store your Ipod and maybe somewhere to stand a beer!!!

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Paddlechick666 · 29/05/2008 20:36

lol Flashman! you put your iPod in an arm band and get a camelbak for your beer.

silly boy!

btw, the camo print is at the bottom of the bigmamaslings page.

cmotdibbler · 29/05/2008 20:36

My DH wears our toddler in a Toddlerhawk - ours is black with an asian dragon, reversing to a blue geometric. Agree that the Baby Bjorns look naff and nasty, but a MeiTai looks great, is practical, and is way easier than steering a pram around. And it does have all the girls cooing over the baby/toddler in it.

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:38

yes in a perfect world wear it and who gives a damn, but we do not live in a perfect world!

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Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:40

how old before I could put it into a backpack?

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cmotdibbler · 29/05/2008 20:42

Of course the idea is that you talk to your baby, so no need for an ipod

Actually if you have a custom Babyhawk, you can add a pocket for the Ipod. And as your hands are free, you can hold your beer instead of spilling it over the pushchair.

IlanaK · 29/05/2008 20:45

My dh loved wearing our ds2 and this time around (due with ds3 in 7 weeks) has chosen and bought his own sling as he wanted one that suited him more than my vast colletion of girly ones!

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:46

cmotdibbler - it is my idea to wear the ipod to drown out a crying baby - the women in the office think the child will win - I will prove them wrong!!

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Paddlechick666 · 29/05/2008 20:49

ah but flashman, your baby won't be crying because you'll be wearing him/her!

and a backpack carry in something like the ergo would be approx 6m

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:49

Did he really love wearing it? - I have one friend who has a 4 month old - he tells the other half that he does not mind to wear it - but has said when she is not around that he feels like an "earth mum" in it - and that is his comment cleaned up

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cmotdibbler · 29/05/2008 20:50

Trouble is, only kind of music suitable to drown out the noise of baby who has been crying long enough for you to be reduced to that, is not conducive to moving in such a way to soothe them. Have proven that 'killing in the name of' is not the way to get baby to sleep...

Usually people move to a back carry around 6 months when they have good head control

cmotdibbler · 29/05/2008 20:53

Have just asked DH his view on baby wearing. I have to clean his statement up, but he reckons any bloke who doesn't like carrying their child is a tosser.

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:55

I don't think the issue is carrying the baby per sa - just some of the carriers out there, there are not many that I would not feel an idiot in. Perhaps thinks will be different when I am on the other side of it all.

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Libra1975 · 29/05/2008 20:56

Erm my DH wanted to buy a baby carrier (we got a bushbaby cocoon) and I don't think anyone would dare call him pussy whipped. They are so much more practical than lugging a buggy around if you are strong enough to wear one for any length of time. Also do you really care about what other people think about you holding your baby???

(if you want a male opinion I have just asked DH
" Do you think men who wear baby carriers look pussy whipped?"
"No")

Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:56

I am really shocked now - I was thinking a bit of "rage" would soon have a little one dropping off!

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Original poster
Flashman · 29/05/2008 20:58

Perhaps it is just my friends then - we are all knuckle draggers!! [shocked]

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hanaflower · 29/05/2008 21:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

PInkyminkyohnooo · 29/05/2008 21:01

When I saw the OP an abiding memory came to me of when DS was about 10 days old, I'd only been home a few days and came downstairs after a nap to find DH happily cooking in the kitchen with DS all snuggly asleep in his sling. DH was so happy!