Babywearing: a special gift for Dads

Many Dads of young children get the feeling that Mom is the only one who can comfort the baby. This is particularly true in families where the baby is breastfeeding or where Mom is staying home with the children. Baby carriers, especially slings and wraps, are seen by many men as something that would only be needed if their arms got too tired to carry the baby. This is certainly a good time to use a carrier, but Dads shouldn't overlook the benefits they, too, can reap from babywearing at other times, too.

Scene in our household, January 2005: Our second child, Madeline, is a month old. Helpful relatives have departed, and we are on our own with our 2.5 year old son and infant daughter. Maddy is generally doing great, but gets fussy in the evenings. My husband JJ has been feeling helpless that he can't be of much help with her, and that I'm always the one bearing the weight of her evening neediness. I had a Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch when our son Jack was small, but JJ discouraged me from buying one for him, saying he would never wear it. He preferred our structured front carrier. When a friend loaned us a KKAFP in JJ's size, he decided to give it a shot. Maddy had been especially fussy that evening, and I really needed a break. JJ put on the pouch, dropped Maddy in, started pacing and "shushing" her, and darned if she didn't go right to sleep! JJ now sings the praises of that pouch to anyone who will listen. it meant so much to him to be able to soothe her. That sling turned into a great opportunity for him to bond with his baby girl, while giving me a break at the same time.

Holding a baby in arms is fabulous, but cloth baby carriers (especially pouches, slings and wraps) mimic the warm and snug comfort of the womb. These carriers soothe a baby in way that carrying in-arms may not.

Other reasons for Dads (and other men) to wear their babies:

• Hold the baby while getting stuff done around the house or town
• Get lots of positive attention while out and about with your baby
• Carry your child for hours without the discomfort and immobility of carrying in-arms

 Carriers for Men

It may go without saying, but men can certainly wear any baby carrier on the market! There are no rules about certain types or styles of carriers that mark them Women Only. Men around the US and the world wear wraps, mei tais, buckle carriers, ring slings and pouches.

That being said, men often have different preferences for baby carriers than do women. As a rule, men highly value convenience and ease of use over other factors. The most popular baby carriers for men are buckle carriers and pouches, followed by mei tais and wraps, with ring slings bringing up the rear.

Our number one seller for men is the ERGO baby carrier followed closely by the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Fleece Pouch.