Baby Wearing

Before Olivia was born I found an adorable pink and brown baby sling at a garage sale. It was a trendy brand I'd seen online so I was delighted to pay $4 for it. At 8 months pregnant I tried it on and even put a stuffed animal in it to get an idea of how my baby would fit. Now that our "honey-badger" (as Andrew has dubbed her) is here, my hands have been quite full. It's been really nice when I need to run errands, to just slip her in the sling before going into a store so I have both of my hands free.

I learned early on that taking her anywhere (especially to the grocery store) in her car seat was a bad idea. For some reason, complete strangers feel compelled to not just admire your baby at a distance, but to reach in and touch her face and hands! THIS kind of behavior for a new germophobic Mom is completely unsettling. Goodness knows where other people's hands have been...and they're touching my baby! **shiver**

After that particular experience, I whipped out the sling, and the funny this was that people weren't nearly as apt to touch my bundle.
My theory is this:

People love and want to touch babies.
People know better than to touch other people.
Therefore, if you wear your baby and keep her in your personal bubble space, people know better than to touch her.

Over the last three month, my theory has proved correct and my baby wearing has continued. Not only has the sling been great to protect the sweet pea from stranger's germs, but also because she loves being close to me and it keeps her quiet. Let me tell you now: Happy, quiet babies make errands pleasantly possible.

With Olivia in the sling, I thought my worries were over. I could easily run around town getting my errands done in safety and comfort. The only thing I hadn't accounted for was that in this one horse town, baby wearing draws a LOT of attention. It's almost like I've grown a third arm or something. I'll see someone pointing/looking in my general direction and whisper to their friend "She's got a baby in there." One guy startled at the check out counter when she saw the munchkin's face peek out and exclaimed "Oh wow, I thought that was a purse!" New Moms will stop me and ask if I like the sling and ask where they can get one. Others will walk straight up to me and ask for a peek and admire. The most interesting has got to be the passers-by who will walk past, see I'm carrying my girl, smile and aren't quite sure what to say. We end up smiling and nodding at each other as if to silently communicate: "Oh, you're carrying your baby. How cute." "Yes. I am. Thank you."

I highly recommend baby wearing for numerous reasons, but warn if you do and happen to be in our town, just plan to spend a little extra time in the grocery store smiling and nodding.