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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. |