In the midst of being a bit *stressed* these days (thanks to moving/renovating), I’m feeling it’s time for a good old fashioned rant. Rather than screaming at my husband, I’m letting loose on something totally unrelated to home improvement: BJORNS. THEY DRIVE ME CRAZY. THEY’RE UNFABULOUS. And at the moment I’m beginning to think that goes for Ergos and Maya Wraps too. Don’t judge and don’t hate. Apologies in advance to some of my closest girlfriends who swear by them, but please read on…
When I was pregnant, I refused to register for one. I forbade my husband from even thinking about getting one for us. “Over my dead body will you – or I – ever wear one of those horrific-looking things.” To me, a man wearing a Bjorn is more unsexy than a man holding his wife’s purse. And a woman wearing a Bjorn is a tragic sight… after 9 months of being pregnant, why would you want to go back to lugging around another person in front of you? Not exactly a turn-on. How the hell are you supposed to get back into your high heels with one of these contraptions strapped to your body? Baby carriers are the first evil step to turning women into ‘frumps’ after kids, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to fall into that trap. 
I don’t care how young/hip/attractive the couple in this ad are (left), I see right through the savvy marketing tactics. I equate wearing your baby as a step into the “No need to look hot anymore / I will coddle my kids no matter what” direction. (NOTE: I do believe in giving my little girl all the love she wants and needs, but if she constantly gets used to being pressed up against me, how is she supposed to grow into a strong little lady/individual that’s emotionally secure enough to exist, function and play on her own? Try undoing that when they’re too big to put in those belly-sacks.)
Maybe my carrier-disdain means I’m just not secure enough with myself… maybe I shouldn’t knock it without trying it…. or maybe I’m on to something. Afterall, how are us new-moms supposed to get our pre-baby arms back into shape if we’re not required to carry our little nuggets like living weights?? Then again, I’m the jacka$$ walking around wearing wrist-splints (thanks to the tendonitis I developed from constantly carrying my baby without one of these carrier-thingys). Kudos to all you mommies who rock ’em. I really wish I could, but I just can’t do it…. yet. Perhaps I shoulda gotten over my unreasonable judgements before my thumbs started locking up. I’ll shut-up now get back to picking bathroom tile. Your thoughts?
Girl! The Ergo is awesome! I couldn’t have survived without it after my second baby was born 19 months after my first. Not only did the little bugger refuse to be set down and is an enormous baby, but my toddler was/is completely psychotic. That being said, I look fabulous, have extremely buff arms AND I have breastfed my baby and simultaneously kept my toddler away from the candy rack, all while standing in line at Target! 🙂
i love this!!!!! was hoping this post would get everyone goin!!! 🙂 this is exactly what i mean by “rocking fabulousness your own way!” hope you’re great jaime!!! please tell me when you’re in CA and we will drive to you!!!
I personally think those things are uncomfortable. I only started to use one when I had to…..After my 3rd baby was born. My oldest was barely 4 yrs old and my 2nd child was 2 1/2. In order for me to go to the mall or anywhere else for that matter by myself, I had to wear the darn thing. For my own sanity, I had my older two boys strapped into the double stroller (so they wouldn’t take off) and had to carry the baby some how. So I resorted to using the Bjorn. These days, I prefer to use the BIG baby backpack for my toddler when I’m coaching one of my kids soccer games.
Even though they don’t look very apealing, they are convenient.
thanks krissy! i know, i can shoot my big mouth off all i want with only *one* baby to worry about now…. i’m waiting for the day when i eat all my words… i know it’s comin! 🙂
have a great week!