topic Re: Woman with backpack baby in Community Chat

Woman with backpack baby

LilacTree — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:16:59 GMT

My computer is right next to my window and we are on the first floor, so I see everyone walking by. I just saw a young woman with a backpack carrying a very tiny baby. The baby's face was smooshed into her back and his/her legs and arms were swinging back and forth. It looked so uncomfortable for the child!!

I would wear something like that, but I would have the backpack in the front so that my baby could see me and I could hold his/her hands and communicate, smile, whatever. Am I just being out of touch? Is this cool these days?

Re: Woman with backpack baby

PhilaLady1 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:20:19 GMT

I haven't seen anyone carrying their baby this way in a long time. It is soooo wrong. In addition to the uncomfortability issue for the poor baby, if the baby is in back of you, how the heck can you see him/her in case there is any problem.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

Plaid Pants2 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:24:47 GMT

My parents had one for me when I was a young'n. And this was back in the early 70's.

I see nothing wrong with them.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

Mominohio — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:28:54 GMT

Doesn't sound like a good thing for a very tiny baby. Similar things for front carrying are available, and ok in my opinion. Something for the back would seem to be only appropriate for an older baby, that had full contol of it's head and neck, and then, I would think that it should be facing outward, not toward the adult's body.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

Leesh724 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:31:31 GMT

I recently had a baby and recieved one of these carriers as a gift. People swear by them. My son is only 3 months old so he can just start to go in it with the carrier worn on the front. They come with all sorts of restrictions and guidelines based on weight and if the baby can hold its own head up so if the baby is really tiny it should be on the front or not in the carrier at all.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

PhilaLady1 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:42:23 GMT

@Leesh724 congratulations !

Re: Woman with backpack baby

LilacTree — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:43:52 GMT

@Leesh724 wrote:
I recently had a baby and recieved one of these carriers as a gift. People swear by them. My son is only 3 months old so he can just start to go in it with the carrier worn on the front. They come with all sorts of restrictions and guidelines based on weight and if the baby can hold its own head up so if the baby is really tiny it should be on the front or not in the carrier at all.

That sounds fine to me. This baby is so tiny I wouldn't even think he/she was three months old. Besides the possible physical discomfort, where is the chance to bond with a new walking experience and mommy's right there?

I haven't seen this before and I am here at the computer mostly every day, so this is probably the young woman I have seen before who was pregnant. Maybe it's her first child and she just doesn't realize. It's not my business of course.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

missy1 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:56:25 GMT

I could never use a sling, front carrier or back pack carrier, because I was afraid of those things coming apart.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

MsLomo — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 16:58:13 GMT

I feel so bad for that baby! I would say something to her -- very friendly and congratulatory about the new baby -- adding that she can't see that her baby's face is smooshed in the back and you're glad you could see to tell her.

When my son was about 8 weeks old, I had him in one of those carriers, although in front, and I didn't realize that one of his legs was inserted wrong and it was no doubt very uncomfortable for him. I couldn't see it because it was hidden by my chest and right arm. I was very grateful that someone pointed it out to me out of concern. I am still thankful today when I think about it.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

MickD — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:12:37 GMT

I took a hippie baby wrap class and learned how to sling a newborn and a variety of other wrap styles.....that big huge scarf saved my life......I don't like to see the parents who use the front carrier with the baby facing out......can cause hip displasia..

Re: Woman with backpack baby

PhilaLady1 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:15:15 GMT

maybe a stroller is the best option.....

Re: Woman with backpack baby

LilacTree — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:16:21 GMT

@MsLomo wrote:
I feel so bad for that baby! I would say something to her -- very friendly and congratulatory about the new baby -- adding that she can't see that her baby's face is smooshed in the back and you're glad you could see to tell her.

When my son was about 8 weeks old, I had him in one of those carriers, although in front, and I didn't realize that one of his legs was inserted wrong and it was no doubt very uncomfortable for him. I couldn't see it because it was hidden by my chest and right arm. I was very grateful that someone pointed it out to me out of concern. I am still thankful today when I think about it.

I thought about it MsLomo, but decided not to, mostly because I don't know her at all, and she would be seeing a white-haired old lady coming towards her pushing a Rollator! A scary sight!! She would probably be way ahead of me by the time I got to her anyway. I haven't seen her come back, so I'm assuming she went around the block and back to her apartment.

I will tell my daughter about it though and maybe she will see her and strike up a conversation sometime. Also, this is a large apartment complex and I'm hoping perhaps someone else may say something to her.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

LilacTree — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:17:50 GMT

@PhilaLady1 wrote:
maybe a stroller is the best option.....

I agree !!

Re: Woman with backpack baby

YorkieonmyPillow — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:27:07 GMT

Carrying a baby on your back makes no sense anyway ~ it would be a lot harder to get off and on, than if you put the baby in the front.

I had my baby backpack/carrier out while ago, trying it on with my dogs. My Yorkie and Maltese have been in it before, but my Shih Tzu hadn't.

She liked it.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

DoneTryin — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 17:28:36 GMT

Hmmm, without seeing it myself, I'd have to say that it doesn't sound like a good idea to carry a very tiny baby in back like that. I would think that the sling in front system would be better. I'd just worry about a baby smothering if they can't hold their head up yet. Just hypersensitive to SIDS since a member of my family lost an infant that way, though he did not smother; just stopped breathing.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

MsLomo — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:21:01 GMT

Thanks, LilacTree, for your reply! I'm glad you are going to tell your daughter. The new mom doesn't realize that the carrier is designed to keep baby close to a heartbeat and not smothered. I usually keep quiet, but not when babies and animals are in situations that "go beyond." Thankfully, I have witnessed very few such situations. You must be a kind person, disturbed by what you saw to write about it here. (Thankfully, because you never know if a new mother is reading this thread and learning.)

I was an "older" new mom, intimidated by my first Velcro-close diaper! Lived far from family, and was nervous -- on top of not having a clue. Any time another adult stranger "mothered" me by helping with a tip was a relief.

Edited to add: Even my Penelope Leach and T. Brazelton books were no substitute for in-person tips and assistance!

Re: Woman with backpack baby

Noel7 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:28:06 GMT

It's been done all over the world for a very long time, and it's easier to carry weight on your back rather than in the front.

I'm guessing all these women from time immemorial know what they are doing.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

YorkieonmyPillow — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:32:56 GMT

Key words: "very tiny baby."

A newborn isn't even able to hold its head up.

The babies pictured are obviously older than that.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

Noel7 — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:36:24 GMT

@YorkieonmyPillow wrote:
Key words: "very tiny baby."

A newborn isn't even able to hold its head up.
The babies pictured are obviously older than that.

********************************

"This baby is so tiny I wouldn't even think he/she was three months old."

That's not a newborn, and it's a subjective guess.

Re: Woman with backpack baby

YorkieonmyPillow — Thu, 24 Mar 2016 18:40:19 GMT

I wouldn't carry a very tiny infant on my back.

If you want to, go ahead.

I would want to able to tend to it as I walked.

JMO