Posted by Naomi de la Torre on Dec.08, 2009

©iStockphoto.com - joanek

Remember when Motrin made the fatal mistake of posting that patronizing online commercial which suggested that baby wearing was nothing more than a ridiculous, crazy fad that caused horrific back pain to new moms? In the advertisement, which aired on Motrin’s website in November 2008, a young mom who supposedly had tried babywearing said the following:

Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion. I mean, in theory it’s a great idea. There’s the front baby carrier, sling, schwing, wrap, pouch. And who knows what else they’ve come up with. Wear your baby on your side, your front, go hands free. Supposedly, it’s a real bonding experience. They say that babies carried close to the body tend to cry less than others. But what about me? Do moms that wear their babies cry more than those who don’t. I sure do! These things put a ton of strain on your back, your neck, your shoulders. Did I mention your back? I mean, I’ll put up with the pain because it’s a good kind of pain; it’s for my kid. Plus, it totally makes me look like an official mom. And so if I look tired and crazy, people will understand why.

I guess Motrin thought that moms would watch this ad, have a moment of revelation about how dreadful babywearing really was, and come out in droves to buy Motrin to heal their wounded backs and tattered souls. Unfortunately for Motrin, it had the opposite effect.

Babywearing moms everywhere were angry. They were livid. They were incensed. By the evening of the day the ad aired, babywearing moms throughout the United States were in an uproar. It was the most tweeted about subject on Twitter. There were also large numbers of YouTube video responses to the ad, which featured angry babywearing moms practically foaming at the mouth with distaste for Motrin’s short-sighted marketing campaign. Mommy bloggers called for boycotts against Motrin. In the end Motrin recognized its mistake and offered a contrite apology to all those offended.

What I found amazing about the whole ordeal was how powerful mothers were at the center of it all. Despite my own personal love for babywearing, I had no idea that it was so popular, nor did I realize that moms were so capable of taking down a pharmaceutical giant like Motrin in a few short hours with their tweets, viral YouTube videos and mommy blogs.

Babywearing is not a new concept. It has been used in many cultures around the world for thousands of years, but it is newly popular in our country. However, as the failed Motrin advertisement proves, babywearing may be popular, but it’s not just trendy. Moms who wear their babies are serious about babywearing.

Babywearing moms believe that close contact between mom (or dad) and baby imparts innumerable benefits. Babies are happier, cry less, learn more, feel more secure, communicate earlier, and enjoy a safe, warm and nurturing environment while they are worn by caregivers. Parents who believe in babywearing don’t think of it as a simple parenting trend, but a way of life.

When I was pregnant, a good friend of mine told me about babywearing. She bought me a Maya Wrap and convinced me that it was the greatest thing that had ever happened to her as a mom. At the time, it sounded good, but I wasn’t sure how it would really work out in my daily life.

With my first-born son Nino, I tried both the Maya Wrap as well as another carrier I purchased myself—the Baby Bjorn. Nino was the type of baby who never wanted to be put down, so I was extremely lucky to have been enlightened on babywearing before his arrival. I don’t know how I would have made it through that first year of motherhood without my baby carriers. I was able to do dishes, fold laundry, make beds, prepare simple (non-stove) meals, and take long walks while wearing Nino. I felt so liberated because I was able to use both my hands freely and he was always happy.

With my second son Diego, on the recommendation of another close friend, I tried the Beco Baby Carrier. It is like the Bjorn in that it is more of a backpack style carrier, but it has the capability for wearing baby on either the front or back of your body. This makes it extremely versatile for both newborns and even older toddlers.

Moms tend to like the front carrier position for newborns because you can cuddle them and watch them carefully. Babies and toddlers tend to like to ride in the back once they are big enough to look around, because it gives them an awesome view of everything mom is doing. The Beco has been amazing for us. Diego is now two and he still rides around in it whenever he is fussy or if I need to keep him corralled during trips to the grocery store, etc.  The Beco has a weight limit of 50 pounds, so you can realistically carry a very large child, if you are willing to do so. I love carrying my two-year-old and I would totally carry my five-year-old if he was my only child. It is an incredible tool and has made my life as a mother infinitely easier.

Truth be told, babywearing is the number one parenting tip I would recommend to any new mom. Hands down, it is the best way to simplify your life, while keeping your baby content at the same time.

In addition to all the wonderful bonding/nurturing benefits received from babywearing, here are a few practical uses a good baby carrier can provide:

1. Household chores. You can do many things while wearing your baby that you could not do otherwise if your child wants to be held. Of course, always stay away from hot surfaces or any other dangerous activities while you wear your baby.

2. Putting your baby to sleep. Both of my boys were tricky to put down for naps. Wearing them in the carrier would put them to sleep immediately if they were tired. Then you can carefully transfer your baby to his crib or bassinet for the rest of his nap. However, there is a downside to this. If you want to use your child’s nap to do something productive that doesn’t involve wearing him, you will sometimes lose your child’s nap because you are wearing him at other times. For example, Nino never napped in a crib or bassinet until he was almost a year old because I wore him so much that he would catnap all the time and never be ready to take a long snooze.

3. Exercise. It is sometimes hard for new moms to find time to go to the gym or do any form of exercise that doesn’t involve their infant. This is why wearing your baby is so wonderful. You can wear your baby and go for long walks while your baby is happily entertained by new sights and sounds. This is especially helpful because it doesn’t require you to get a babysitter or listen to your baby have a fit while you try to get in 15 minutes on the treadmill.

4. Shopping. Shopping with an infant, baby or toddler is not always easy. You never know when they will be delighted by the fluorescent lights in the grocery store or totally irritated about being carted around from place to place. Something that worked to keep them entertained one time (i.e. snacks, toys, random objects, etc.) may not work the next. Wearing your baby takes all the hassle away. I will happily take any age baby or toddler shopping with me, so long as they will ride on my back the whole time. While wearing your baby, grocery shopping is a cinch and actually pleasurable. In my experience, my babies have been so quiet that I almost forget they are there, especially when they are riding on my back. They just look around and take it all in. I usually take my cell phone with me and even have a long chat with a friend while shopping and wearing my (now) two-year-old on my back.

5. Keeping your newly-walking and extremely curious baby from destroying other people’s homes. The Beco was instrumental for me in keeping Diego from mass destruction in many places I went throughout the past year. When he first learned to walk, Diego was very curious and wanted to run around with his arms out at his sides, sending everything in his path flying. It was certainly amusing at times (particularly in our own home where there was nothing he could break but toys and already-mangled objects), but not so much when we were in the homes of people who had valuable knick-knacks on low surfaces. For this, I would just pull out the Beco and he would stay contained until our friendly visits were over. (Of course, our friendly visits usually only lasted about 15 minutes and I had to remain standing the entire time, but you take what you can get, right?)

6. Eating. All new moms know how difficult it can be to eat when your baby is unhappy. Or how difficult it is to eat even if your baby just wants to be held. Solution: put your baby on your back and eat standing up. Not the most enjoyable meal in the world, but this is real life and mama’s gotta get fed. I have (semi) enjoyed many a meal with my baby on my back. Or I at least was able to shovel most of the food into my mouth without someone freaking out or trying to climb into my salad bowl.

7. Being close to your baby while still having the use of your upper limbs. I can’t say enough good things about babywearing. I love having my baby close to me, but I also love the ability to use my hands and arms. It has been so delightful to be able to do both things at the same time. I see people who carry their babies around in their arms and I admire them. They have very defined muscles. But I love to be able to hold my baby without going into continual muscle failure. Hurray for babywearing!

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Posted under Family, GDM Baby.