Before I became a parent, I often imagined myself as a stylish mom, effortlessly carrying my baby while navigating the city streets. There was something about babywearing that seemed to epitomize the essence of motherhood. If you could juggle errands with an infant securely attached to you, it felt like you were proclaiming to the world, “I’ve got this mothering thing down to a science!” Naturally, I added a baby wrap to my registry as one of the first must-have items, eagerly anticipating its arrival.
When the package finally arrived, I was met with a surprise: the wrap was almost 20 feet long! I was both puzzled and determined to master it. After an hour of wrestling with the fabric and watching countless YouTube tutorials, I found myself sweaty, teary-eyed, and questioning my parenting abilities because I couldn’t even manage to secure a stuffed bear in the wrap—let alone a real baby! In hindsight, attempting this while eight months pregnant may not have been the brightest idea. Let’s just say that “body origami” is a bit more challenging when you’re that big.
Eventually, I figured out the wrap, but it never felt quite right for me. I was never truly hands-free, as I always kept a hand under my child for support. I eventually opted for a more backpack-like carrier, realizing that babywearing isn’t for everyone.
This brings me to why it’s frustrating when companies that sell baby wraps promote the notion that not wearing your newborn makes you a subpar mom. One company even went so far as to label babywearing as “exterior gestation,” suggesting that humans are akin to marsupials who need extra time to develop outside the womb. Seriously?
The creator behind one popular wrap, The Cuddle Carrier, states, “When it comes to the relationship between a mother and child, kangaroos set a unique precedent that many humans should take to heart. A baby kangaroo, called a joey, stays in his pouch until his ‘exterior gestation’ is complete and he is able to move away from his mother on his own.” But let’s be clear: kangaroos are born blind and the size of a kidney bean, and they wouldn’t survive outside the pouch. This is what makes them marsupials, not humans!
Moreover, they claim, “Despite the fact that across the majority of the globe many mothers carry their babies, more and more tiny newborns are spending most of their days alone in plastic containers, bouncy seats, and strollers.” Really? Are they suggesting we’ve got babies stored away like leftovers?
Can we please sell a product without making mothers feel awful? If you’re marketing a baby wrap, focus on how it simplifies life, how it’s easy to use, and how cozy it keeps infants. Don’t imply we’re neglecting our children if we choose a stroller instead. I’ve never seen a stroller ad that states, “Strollers: Because you’ll raise a giant man-baby if you don’t learn to put him down.”
New moms already deal with enough guilt, confusion, and anxiety about whether they’re doing everything right. Parenting tools like baby wraps should help ease that burden, not add to it. And really, isn’t it a bit sexist that all this pressure falls squarely on mothers? Oops, I just said it!
Yes, infants need to be held, but suggesting that using modern conveniences like strollers makes you a disengaged parent is, quite frankly, unnecessary. If you’re interested in learning more about home insemination, check out this article for insights. And if you’re looking for trusted resources on artificial insemination, this site offers valuable information, as does the Genetics and IVF Institute.
In summary, babywearing is a delightful choice for some, but it doesn’t define your worth as a mother. Let’s embrace all parenting styles without guilt or judgment.