I guess it’s all perspective.
People who aren’t baby wearers seem surprised that I’m still wearing Henny, he’s 16 months old, but not even walking yet (*this close* though), he is getting bigger everyday but I have absolutely zero plans to stop wearing him.
I’ll milk every last day of snuggling and wearing out of this short season in our lives.
And while he wants up less now than he used to, I have friends who are still occasionally wearing their 3 year olds, so I have hope that our time wearing is not over just yet!
And as long as he is still having fun, I’m still having fun!
While I fully support wearing, do you ever think that he’s not walking because he’s been carried so often?
Of course not, and I think you know that’s kind of a rude question. Unfortunately my work hours prevent me from even seeing my kid 4 days a week, let alone wearing him, and on the weekends we wear when we can but it ends up being once or twice a day, usually for a long walk to the farmers market, of some other situation in which he’d be in a stroller if I didn’t wear him. It’s not like I would expect a 16 month old to walk 2 miles even if he did walk. So unfortunately he isn’t carried “so often”. If I sound a little defensive it’s because I suppose I’m a little offended that a total stranger would assume that my normally developing child is somehow stunted because I choose to wear him on my back instead of push him around in a stroller. But, it’s easy to judge i guess.
I just thought the same thing what Laura said above. How much does he weigh? Doesn’t your back aches at all? :/
Henry weighs about 24 pounds, and I use german style woven wraps, not stretchy wraps that are much more supportive. As he has gotten bigger I’ve started using hemp or linen blend wraps that add even more support, in fact, the day we walked around the city in the black wrap we wore for about 3 hours and we were comfortable the whole time. I was really happy to have this in my bag of tricks because it was so fun to be at the zoo with him on my back where I could hear and answer all of his questions.
I’m also a babywearer and have been for the last three years. I’ve worn my 26lb 14 month old since the day he was born. I even wear my 38lb 3 year old every now and again (and very comfortably in a nice woven). Gasp! For my family, the benefits of babywearing have been priceless.
Regarding, babywearing slowing the progression toward walking…I too agree these comments are rude and assuming. My boys walked at 11 and 12 months despite being worn daily for extended amounts of time. Each child (and parent) is different and shouldn’t be judged. You’d never assume this of someone toting their child in a stroller daily. To each their own!
We had our little guy in the ergo this weekend and he fell asleep while being carried too. Coincindentaly he and Henry were born on the same day and weigh just about the same as well. Keep on wearing
I love wearing my kiddo (13 months now) too, and hope she doesn’t want to be done with it any time soon. It still calms her down better than anything else I do. Some days, it’s the only way I can get dinner made or get the laundry put away.
What carry are you using in the top picture? The rest I can identify after my brief period of wrapping so far
The top picture is a kangaroo carry, the bottom two are both double hammock
I love these pictures! It really shows what a special bond you guys have
I’m very sorry my comment offended you. That was not at all the intention. From what I have read on your blog you are a mother that does a lot of research prior to doing anything. I was more looking for your response on what research you have done. I am very sorry to have offended you. In no way do I think your son’s growth / development is “stunted” and I support being as close to your children as often as you can be.
+Thank you, and I hope I haven’t put you off asking questions. You are correct, I do a lot of research, but unfortunately that question has been asked a little too often lately becaus eHne is jsut a slow developer physically (he is kicking ass verbally).