Is poor babywearing better than no babywearing?

[MilkyMama]

So I was wondering, is it better IYO, to babywear poorly than not at all? What I mean is, Baby Bjorns are notorious for poor comfort and not great developmentally, but do you cheer at the babywearing or boo at the carrier? Obviously, more informed babywearers would like to see everyone babywearing in a decent carrier but would you rather see a baby in a forward facing Bjorn or a stroller?

My personal dilemma, I have a Snuggli that we used for a week when DS1 was a baby. It was fine but hurt my back terribly. It was only used for the week we were on vacation and I still have the box. It's in awesome/like new condition. Is it morally okay to sell it or give it away knowing what I know? What if the only way the baby will be worn is with one of these contraptions? FWIW, it cannot be use facing out or on the back.

WWYD?

[mamabear]

Absolutely, I'd donate it!

Honestly I think the whole crotch-danglers-are-evil thing is dumb. There's actually a big discussion about them on TBW right now (well, not right now, since it's down, LOL), and I'm glad to see some more experienced BWers, mods, etc, questioning that.

From what I've read in that discussion, it seems that there is no scientific evidence that proves that these types of carriers are harmful to babies' development.

In terms of anecdotal evidence, there doesn't seem to be a lot of that either. I wore DD1 in a Snugli for several hours a day for several months, because I couldn't afford a better carrier. Since most people don't use them that much, if they are harmful she should be a worst case scenario. But she's fine. In fact she loved the Snugli and would cry when I took her out (hence why she was in there so much) - and she wasn't a baby to not complain, so if she was uncomfortable in there I'm sure I would have heard about it. I know lots of people who use them, or were worn in them (incl. my sister and I) and no issues. I honestly don't know what I would have done without that thing, DD needed to be held a lot.
So in the absence of both anecdotal and scientific evidence, I think it's a load of crap, frankly. Yes, it's not ideal positioning. But it's likely not harmful either.

Discomfort for the wearer is another issue. But if it's the mom's only opportunity to BW, she'll decide whether or not it's worth it.


ETA: None of this applies to bag slings, FTR, because they are clearly dangerous and should have been banned years ago.

[mamabear]

Aaaand I know some people are not going to like reading this. But I'm saying it anyways because I think it should be said. LOL!

The infant insert in the Beco? It leaves them semi-crotch-dangling. *gasp* But it does! At least IME, and maybe it depends a bit on the baby's shape or something. It's different from a Snugli/Bjorn/Infantino because you're supposed to point their knees up. But their weight is still on their crotch IME. Sooo why aren't BWers hating on Becos, or at least the inserts? And also, why is it that the Beco was DD2's favourite carrier as a newborn, if that's supposed to be uncomfortable for them?

[Mommymanda]

I voted the NO you should only use proper fitting carriers.

I say it only because when I hear the stories of snugglies or bjorns I think its great the babe is being worn, but most people complain they don't get much use, hurt back etc. Even those who don't know there are any other options. Than they complain and it puts a negative spin on babywearing.

[MilkyMama]

Yeah I agree MM. It usually means the baby will only be worn for a short time because if it's uncomfortable for the wearer, they are unlikely to continue to BW a bigger baby, toddler etc.

[mamabear]

Sooo mamas (presumably low-income) whose only opportunity to BW is with these carriers, should not wear at all, lest they scare more privileged mothers who can afford a better quality carrier away from BW? Yes?

[Book Worm]

I wore DS#1 in a Snuggli and DS#2 in an Ergo. There was a HUGE difference especially in terms of comfort for me. DS#1 didn't seem to suffer any long-term effect from being worn in a Snuggli and I think that there were still the benefits of him being carried and bonding with me etc etc.

So I'd say, donate it, for sure. The better carriers are expensive and some people are just not going to spend $100+ dollars on a carrier so I'd say if they still want to carry baby a Snugli et al might be their only option.

[jenelen]

I'd say donate it. After the baby gets too big for it to be comfty the mom might decide to look for something more supportive. I think snuglis or whatever are better than not wearing at all unless you're talking about one of those dangerous duffle bag slings.

[mamabear]

The other thing that I forgot to mention - like it or not, a lot of people believe BWers are snobby. And I for the most part don't see that, but sometimes I do. And I can tell you that it does turn people off of BWing - I know someone personally who is not interested in BW because of the “babywearing snobbery.“
So frankly I think these attitudes towards Bjorn-style carriers are turning people off BW as well, if we're concerned about attracting people to BW.

[jenelen]

BWers are snobby, how so? I'm not like super into the babywearing scene, I have 4 carriers and that's enough for me lol. But I don't get how using a carrier instead of a stroller or whatever makes you snobby...

[JaJaMama]

SO wore DD in a snuggli and a graco carrier when she was a new born she loved in and would fall right to sleep. I wore her in a sling and then a wrap. If we had known other baby wearers at the time we would have worn her more often because it was uncomfortable for us. But she loved it and never complained and had no long term effects from being in one. I think if more people were better informed about BW then they would probably choose other options. I wish I had this forum back then I wouldn't have bought a stroller and gotten a wrap instead of an over priced sling that only worked when she was small.

Don't get me wrong I love that sling ... it's so pretty haha but i probably would have worn her more if I had a wrap. Oh and if we had stayed in Toronto. Here in London it just became easier to use the stroller since everything was so spread out and we would be walking for a really long time. she ended up preferring her stroller.

[Ellen]

My bff loved her baby bjorn and used it a lot. She never tried wearing her baby any other way. I would say that as long as it works for the mom and baby than why should anyone else's opinion matter? I wore DD in a peanut shell wrap and let some ppl try it and they didn't like it so opted not to carry their babies (they didn't want to go out and buy an expensive wrap or carrier). I didn't carry a lot though, I used the stroller more b/c I walked far and super fast, lol. I was too worried I would trip and fall on the baby or something.

[InkyMama]

So far for the upcoming baby, I have two wraps, and a bjorn carrier - which I got only because I found it for $3.99 at Talize. I refuse to pay the $140 or whatever it retails for. My friend had one and her baby liked it.

I figure I'll have a nice selection, and if it turns out baby and myself like BW, then perhaps I will invest more money in a more expensive carrier like the babyhawk mei tei or something. But I am not spending $100 on something until I know baby and I are going to use it.

[myrrah]

I say all the carriers are fine. Well except the bag sling ones. But crotch dangling - meh.

[mamabear]

Originally Posted by jenelen

BWers are snobby, how so? I'm not like super into the babywearing scene, I have 4 carriers and that's enough for me lol. But I don't get how using a carrier instead of a stroller or whatever makes you snobby...

Babywearing doesn't make you snobby. But there are a lot of snobby attitudes in BWing circles IME. It's esp. visibly on TBW, so if you spend more time there you'll see it. If you want some examples... Recently someone actually took a picture of a woman wearing a toddler facing out in a stretchy wrap, and actually posted the picture on TBW and made a lot of rude comments about her!! Which was followed by more rude comments, and it wasn't until days later that someone said “umm, that's rude, do you think you're going to turn anyone on to BW that way?“. What else... in that discussion on crotch-danglers there is definitely some snobbery as well IMO.
Heck, ask Princess what she said about Snuglis/Infantinos/Bjorns at the babywearing meeting yesterday. It was snobby, and I'm sure she'll agree with that because she says all the time that she's a Didy snob. LOL ETA: I don't mean to like attack princess or anything, I like her, I didn't mean to be *****y, and I hope it didn't come accross that way.

And FTR I have an invisible rep army of one right now.