Some babywearing misconceptions
Babywearing is difficult
Like any new skill, there is a learning curve. But some slings, like soft structured carriers, are very easy to use, and even ones that look difficult at first, like wraps, are easily mastered with the right help.
Like any new skill, there is a learning curve. But some slings, like soft structured carriers, are very easy to use, and even ones that look difficult at first, like wraps, are easily mastered with the right help.
Babywearing is expensive
It can be! Like buying shoes, you can spend lots of money on the latest fashions and own more slings than you can use. But most babywearers use modestly priced, pre-loved slings that can be sold on when not needed any more. And with our sling meets and Sheffield Sling Library, you can try before you buy.
It can be! Like buying shoes, you can spend lots of money on the latest fashions and own more slings than you can use. But most babywearers use modestly priced, pre-loved slings that can be sold on when not needed any more. And with our sling meets and Sheffield Sling Library, you can try before you buy.
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Babywearing will hurt my back
A badly adjusted or ill-fitting sling can be very uncomfortable, and many new parents give up on babywearing because they have the wrong baby carrier for them. But with a good sling that fits you, you can carry a child for a long time without feeling it. In fact, it can be better for your back to wear a baby than to have it in your arms all the time, because the weight is spread and you're not always favouring one hip. And there's no age or weight limit - carrying an older child is just a piggyback with extra support! Babywearing is just for getting from A to B
All a newborn baby wants is to snuggle up close to his parents, to hear their heartbeat and smell that familiar scent. Many babywearers wear their newborns for a lot of the day, not just out and about, and this has benefits for both parents and babies. And older babies benefit from being worn at home too. A toddler or even pre-schooler that has had a long day or feels unwell, or is just having a hard time for some reason, may like to recharge her batteries with a spell on a parent's back. And it's a lovely place to sleep. |
Babywearers look down on people who use prams
Actually, most babywearers also have a pram and/or a pushchair. Like all other aspects of parenting, there are no absolutes - sometimes it's easier to carry, sometimes the pram wins out.
Actually, most babywearers also have a pram and/or a pushchair. Like all other aspects of parenting, there are no absolutes - sometimes it's easier to carry, sometimes the pram wins out.
Babywearing excludes dads and other relatives
Quite the opposite - babywearing is a great way for dads, grandparents and anyone else to bond with the baby. Sometimes dads take a bit of persuading, but once they get that baby snuggled in there's no turning back!
Quite the opposite - babywearing is a great way for dads, grandparents and anyone else to bond with the baby. Sometimes dads take a bit of persuading, but once they get that baby snuggled in there's no turning back!
Babywearing creates clingy babies
We've all heard these ones. If you never put that baby down she'll never learn to walk / learn to be on her own / learn to sleep in a cot... delete as appropriate. Of course there are as many opinions on parenting as there are people, and we don't claim to have all the answers. All we can say is that our experiences show that meeting the needs of our babies and toddlers for closeness and security has not created clingy children. In fact, some of our children are rather more adventurous than we'd like at times! And when your baby wants to get down and play on the floor or walk, don't worry, he will let you know.
We've all heard these ones. If you never put that baby down she'll never learn to walk / learn to be on her own / learn to sleep in a cot... delete as appropriate. Of course there are as many opinions on parenting as there are people, and we don't claim to have all the answers. All we can say is that our experiences show that meeting the needs of our babies and toddlers for closeness and security has not created clingy children. In fact, some of our children are rather more adventurous than we'd like at times! And when your baby wants to get down and play on the floor or walk, don't worry, he will let you know.
Babywearing is just for attachment parents
Attachment parenting has been in the news a lot lately, and certainly babywearing is a fundamental principle of that parenting style. However, all babywearers are not attachment parents - our members parent in lots of different ways, and we'd all probably say we're just muddling along as best we can, like most other parents!
Attachment parenting has been in the news a lot lately, and certainly babywearing is a fundamental principle of that parenting style. However, all babywearers are not attachment parents - our members parent in lots of different ways, and we'd all probably say we're just muddling along as best we can, like most other parents!
Babywearing is dangerous
Babywearing is safe if done correctly, and indeed can keep a baby safer than putting it down, because it is always in sight. Also, it's hard to drop a baby that's in a sling. If you follow the TICKS rule and use slings from reputable manufacturers then your baby will be safe, but always ask if you're not sure.
Babywearing is safe if done correctly, and indeed can keep a baby safer than putting it down, because it is always in sight. Also, it's hard to drop a baby that's in a sling. If you follow the TICKS rule and use slings from reputable manufacturers then your baby will be safe, but always ask if you're not sure.
Babywearing is for weird hippies
Come and meet us and you'll see we're all sorts of parents from all walks of life. Including the odd weird hippy.
Come and meet us and you'll see we're all sorts of parents from all walks of life. Including the odd weird hippy.
