Curious - why don't more people use baby carriers?

[togarama]

I'm increasingly curious about this and just wondered if others on MN could shed some light on their choice of buggy Vs carrier (or both).

I don't know many other parents IRL and those I do come into contact with are often so obviously negative about baby carriers that I don't think I would gain anything other than a sore ear from asking them....

We've always used slings, wraps and other carriers with 20 month old DD because they're comfortable (for us and baby), convenient (especially since they leave your hands free) and fit our lifestyle. We walk a lot, like to be spontaneous and don't want to have to think about buggy access / stair problems every time we leave the house. I also travel a lot by train and tube and can't even begin to imagine the hassle of trying to cart a pram or buggy around the public transport system.

However, I'm always very conscious when with other parents (e.g. dropping DD at nursery and being stared at...) that we're very much in a minority and I don't really understand why. Carriers just seem to have so many advantages and appear much more logical for commuting and city living. But buggies are somehow still the choice of the majority.

Why is this?

Starberries: If it's just for this one trip and you're not very experienced with carriers, you might also consider a sling like a Hotsling or Coorie pouch. There's no tying, they're one piece, the material is stretchy (and can be fleecy if you like) and it's v. easy to pop baby in and out as you need.

Having said all this, my DD hated both of these and we quickly graduated to the Close baby carrier and Moby. Other tiny babies reportedly love them and they're v. easy to use.

Check out some of the online sling shops (Slumber-Roo, Little Possums, SlingJax etc..) to see pictures and instructions. You could also try to pick up a second-hand bargain in the Yahoo UK slings and wraps group.

The shopping point is definitely coming out as a major factor in choosing a buggy, I think! (And my Mum agrees with you all.)

I totally see ColdComfortFarm's point about wanting to do her shopping locally to support local tradesman and feel part of the community etc.. If you're doing your whole weekly shop locally like this, I can see why you would find a pram extremely useful...

Is this why everyone else places such a high premium on buggies/prams for shopping too?

Or does everyone else just enjoy real-life shopping far more than I do?!

Normally, I order all heavy household stuff (dishwasher tablets, cleaning products, tins etc..) from supermarkets online, get an Abel&Cole or similar fruit and veg delivery on the day I work from home, and shop for everything else at local shops on an "as needed" basis. (Generally what I buy in person in one go will fit in one small bag and is no trouble to carry with or without DD.)

I use both about equally. If I'm going for a long walk or shopping I always use the buggy because I find it much easier. It also gives you a break from baby!
For shorter distances though I always use the sling, I love having her so close and you can really show your LO off!
I know what you mean though; its rare you see them about but its so easy to use I don't know why people don't more.

Love the concept, BUT, had severe PGP when pregnant, and still have problems just walking myself.

Really fed up by the 'baby carriers are best brigade'.

Katy

i bought one and i found it was only in short use before my porkers were to heavy to carry, waste of money. Also if travelling about in a car found difficult to then put dc in it without dropping them so 2nd time stuck to my mcclaren whoich i can hang all my shipping of also. I dont wear my baby only its sick

RE: Shopping. my dad is giving me an old shopping trolly. yes, the ones that OAP use.

i also have a red wagon for the local shops. it holds a surprising amount of stuff.

KatyS36: "Really fed up by the 'baby carriers are best brigade'."

Perhaps you and I can swap acquaintances for a refreshing change? I rarely meet anyone from the 'baby carriers are best brigade'..

I would never criticise another mother's use of a pram/buggy. But I've lost count of the times I've been approached in the street or shops by strangers with a negative opinion to voice, or had bitchy, ignorant comments made by other mothers at DD's nursery.

good point togorama, I've been told I've been suffocating my baby by a woman who then proceeded to hit my mother to make her point (my mum and I were on the bus together);

I also regularly use a pushchair I have once been told my children were too old to go into a pushchair (by a women who drove her children everywhere).

Generally you will be judged by someone somewhere whatever you do, whether it's a pram or sling or pushchair.

I use the buggy for most of my local day time journeys as can put shopping etc. in the basket.

Was using a Connecta sling for longer trips out with DH (where he could carry the shopping/chaning bag) but DD has decided she doesn't like to sling for the last 2 weeks so can't use it!

Suiledonne try moving it higher so it's above your boobs.

suei, i never fasten that strap but have non-sloping shoulders, and find straps dont slip on me.

Men don't mind some of the other designs - have put a photo up on my profile (I think) of dh with dd in hers in Morocco doing a waterfall hike thing.

Suiledonne, I have a patapum, that strap is meant to be fastened at your collar bone. So unless you have extraordinarily pert boobs , it just needs adjusting.

Patapum is just as man friendly as the baby bjorn, and actually comfortable too.

And our black Ergo Sport is v. 'manly' too

I used a sling a lot in the early days and still use one occasionally now with DS (18 months). I love them - they saved me when DS was going through don't put me down phases.

I always use a buggy these days if we're going out for the day because DS will sleep in it, whereas he wouldn't sleep in a sling anymore. Actually, he might, but I wouldn't want to have to wear a sleeping toddler for 2 hours - would much rather he slept in his buggy leaving me able to reach my pint lunch

because being fat meant that the straps didn't meet easily and they dug in awfully, like carrying a really heavy rucksack

this was yeeeeeeears ago when all you could get were the baby born type thingies and we had no internet to look for alternatives (didn't occur tbh that there were alternatives to be had, new baby fog 'n' all)

the ones that are all one piece of fabric look lovely and comfy, I almost (But not quite har har) fancy having another baybee as a reason to try one

In the boot of my car there is always the pram and a sling.
I alternate depending what would be more suitable. ie a quick nip to shop its easier to pop baby in the sling but longer shopping trips I use the pram and buggy board.

I think both have equal uses and both good in thier own right.

With DD1 we were given a Bjorn which we used for woodland walks etc. When DD2 came along I found myself wanting to use the sling more as DD1 was only 21mths and I needed more hands free. Bought a Babasling as as a newborn she was too floppy in the bjorn. Now shes 4mths I use both ( Depending which one isnt covered in baby sick!)

I agree pigley - I manage fine without a car but I need the choose of a sling or a pram depending on what I am doing and where I am going.

Have to say that I do use a rucksack with my sling - I find that it helps distribute the weight more evenly and stops me from listing

Because when I was pregnant with DS I had a very nasty fall and was always scared that if I used a carrier or a sling I might fall again and seriously hurt the baby's head. Also, might have been tempted at home in the early days when DS was very new and never stopped crying but had real problems with bf including infective mastitis and then a breast abscess and there were times when I couldn't even bear the weight of a coat against my chest!

Very true Gmajor!

re. the falling, you are instinctively more carefull with your baby in a sling

I have hypermobility syndrome and fall a lot, but never while carrying my DD

With a sling, I'd be able to use my arms to break a fall, which has to be a lot better than while just carrying the baby.

i fell in the snow earlier this year whith dd4 on my back. i fell to protect her iyswim. hurt my knee though.

Back problems, prolapse are my reasons - both of these gained in '30s since having dcs. Save yourself and get a buggy.

I don't understand how anyone with back problems manages a buggy in the city. I use a maclaren, whenever I intend to be in a cafe at naptime, and it kills my back trying to manage it up and down steps, on to trains etc.

Giving a toddler a piggy back is easy by comparison.