Babywearer’s Anonymous
Oddly, I’ve been thinking a lot about babywearing lately. I guess it’s not too odd, since I still carry Gwen quite often, but I find myself thinking about the fact that I’m not likely going to be able to wear her nearly as long as I was hoping.
And finding myself feeling guilty.
When I was pregnant with Gwen, I developped some NASTY varicose veins in my left leg. I had to wear support hose. One of my tip-offs that I might be pregnant again was a nice plump varicose vein running along my thigh. I poked it and thought, “Hmmm … it’s been a while since I’ve seen one of those … like … almost a year … OH CRAP.”
So, needless to say, the veins are back and I’m already wearing the support hose. During my last pregnancy, my midwives wanted me off work because it involved lifting that was adding extra strain to my cardiovascular system. I’m assuming it’ll be the same this time, only the lifting and carrying that I do now is of a very different sort.
I’m hoping to wear Gwen as long as possible, not only because I love it and she loves it, but also because I am one of the few people I know or have seen in Hamilton wearing a baby. And you know what? I believe that being visible and wearing your baby out of the house goes a long way toward normalizing babywearing and encouraging other people to do it.
I am, however, thankful that Gwen doesn’t hate our new stroller - in fact, she loves riding in it and gets excited when she sees me pull it out and open it up. But the best is still how she rests her head on my chest when I’m getting her in the Mei Tai and snuggles her head under my chin when I’m tying it.
She still loves transportation by mama the best!
Laura said,
July 15, 2009 @ 12:29 pm
Oh, Kim, you’re the best!
Please don’t feel guilty about not being able to wear Gwen as long as you’d like. You know, I didn’t get to breastfeed Gwen as long as I would have liked, either. Sometimes, our bodies have very different plans from what our hearts and minds might intend.
We can’t beat ourselves up about stuff like that. We are great mommies despite our limitations - it’s our hearts and souls that make us so, not our (sometimes traitorous) bodies.
Catherine from NV said,
July 15, 2009 @ 4:36 pm
sounds sweet!
kim said,
July 16, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Thanks, Laura
I try not to feel guilty, and it sure helps that she loves the stroller so much, but it’s hard for me to believe that she’s not going to be my only baby for as long as I was hoping she would be.
brandy said,
July 16, 2009 @ 12:52 pm
I hear ya Kim. I have the baby bug now big time but I want to enjoy Isabel while she’s still a baby.
Question: Where did you get your meitei?
kim said,
July 16, 2009 @ 7:52 pm
*cough* Get pregnant! *cough* LOL The good thing is that we’ve got until the end of February to enjoy Gwen and by then, she won’t really be a baby anymore!
My Mei Tai is a BabyHawk. I got it on the babywearer forums, although with everything it went through, I ended up paying more for it used than I would have to just have bought it new. I LOOOOOOOOOVE it. It’s so easy to put her on my back!
spain dad said,
July 24, 2009 @ 6:14 am
I don’t have a Mei Tai, although I’ve heard great things about them. Sometimes, though, the actual baby carrier can make the difference. Maybe another kind of baby carrier, like a heavy-duty one that’s used for hiking, would give you the support you need to carry Gwen around without feeling like you’re straining yourself as much.
kim said,
July 24, 2009 @ 7:34 am
Thanks, Kelly! I’d love to buy an Ergo, but I think Brad would die if I bought another carrier