Tip 67: Baby wearing everywhere you go

Baby wearing is the third "B" out of 7 in attachment parenting concept which includes my earlier post on birth bonding and extended breast feeding. Its lots of work and sometimes seem impractical in today's modern busy parent's world. Its more convenient to leave the child at childcare or leave her crying till she stops to teach her a lesson on knowing who is boss. But the bottom line in attachment parenting is the need to communicate with your baby, listen to her and understand her. If that helps her psychological as research say it would, then such close knitted relationship is worth the time spent. Including sacrificing some freedom and personal space and bringing your baby everywhere you go. And that's why its called baby wearing where you wear a baby sling/carrier around you and wear the baby. To some ardent attachment parenting fans, they would insist on baby wearing while cooking too as they are against letting your baby cry or leaving her some place else.














I guess its easier said than done, and I am the daddy who works 9 to 10 ... nope not a 1 hour job, but sometimes a 13 hour day job away from my baby. So, Tomomi would do most of the baby wearing and since she is the ardent fan of it, I have no objections. As a supportive husband, in the beginning I questioned her enthusiasm in this as well as the other 6 "B"s. But it makes sense. After a period of stress, human beings begin to adapt to new ways of doing things. In fact, stress stimulates us to better evaluate situations and think of new ideas. And if this stress is related to doing a good and honorable job, all the more we should keep on keeping on. So, I try as much as possible to wear Haruka for strolls in the neighbourhood and for weekend lunches with wife and baby. Using a stroller more when Haruka got heavier. Beginning to be more understanding than previously and try to attend to Haruka as soon as possible. Balance is important too as we need to take care of our physical and emotional health as parents, so striking the right balance is key. At least we try our best and one day our children reading our blogs, will know that.

(Photos shows Haruka at 3 months old and the baby sling papa is wearing when going out at Chinzan-So park in Tokyo)