From a Babywearing Daddy’s Perspective

Today’s guest post comes from Steve. Read to the bottom to learn more.

As a father, I want to protect and care for my children to the best of my abilities. It can be nerve wracking at times trying to keep an eye out for one child while at a park while caring for a baby. If I lose sight of the older child, I panic as sometimes I can’t get up away from my younger child in order to track down my wayward daughter. Wearing my baby girl like a vest has been greatly beneficial for my frame of mind when out in public.

1. Hands Free – The whole reason for buying into packs and pouches for my little one was to be able to utilize both hands while providing support for my child. It is a pain to be out in public with only one operational hand and arm because the other is being used by the child. However, I no longer have that problem as I carry her around with ease while using both hands for various activities. The first time I used one of these packs, I felt liberated – almost like someone had sewn my arm back on and I am able to function.

2. Comfort – It’s amazing the amount of comfort you can get as a father to feel the warmth of your child next to you. It’s almost like you can feel the child trying to merge with your own body – as if he or she were a piece of you. As long as my child is snuggled in as close as she can get, I know that she is safe. It’s not merely a comfort issue for my baby, but it’s also a comfort issue for me. I have far less fear regarding my child if she is as close to me as she can get.

3. No Embarrassment – Of course some of my friends give me a semi-hard time about wearing my child like an explorer who is using baby for sustenance. However, they know me well enough to know that I am very protective of my children as they are my reason for existence. I don’t feel embarrassed in the slightest when I am out in public for I know my daughter is safe with me and she is calm in nearly any location. She feels my own heartbeat and that relaxes her to the point of falling asleep.

4. Less Strenuous – I’m not as young as I used to be and setting my oldest daughter’s weight on my hip while my arm was supporting her back wore me out from time to time. Carrying around my little one in a backpack or stomach pouch has been far less strenuous on my aching muscles. Ten pounds doesn’t seem like much until you are walking around with the child on your hip or walking around holding her on your shoulder all day at a carnival.

5. Toting your child around like a backpack isn’t a completely feminine trait. I breathe much easier knowing exactly where my child is at all times. There are days where it seems there is a part of me missing when the baby isn’t strapped to me like a parachute. At times, I miss the weight and comfort she provides when she is snuggled against me. It’s going to be hard letting her grow up.

Rachel is an ex-babysitting pro as well as a professional writer and blogger. She is married to Steve, who is always happy to give her insight into raising children from a dad’s perspective. She is a graduate from Iowa State University and currently writes for Babysitting.net. She welcomes questions/comments at rachelthomas.author@gmail.com.

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