It is simply another example of the
>hugely
>successful marketing of a product that keeps moms and babies at a
>distance.
>The real question is, "Why does our culture fall so hard and fast for
products (carriers, abm, and so on) that glorify the separation of mother
and baby?"
I have read many complaints on other lists about women carrying their
babies in the baby buckets (aka car seats). I have also attended several
bf conferences where this was a point of criticism. As a mother of 4
small children, I must say it is essential for me to have my hands free.
That is why I often wear my baby in a sling. This works wonders in
freeing my hands to enable me to control (yes, I said the C word) my 2
year old in public, help my 5 year old snap his pants, and hold hands
with my 8 year old, etc, etc. But, I will be the first to admit there
are times when I am running into the store, postoffice, church, etc. and
I just carry my baby in her bucket. I have also taken her to work in her
bucket, where she slept while I taught my childbirth class. Does she
live in it? No. Has it been a measure of help to me? Yes. I don't see
these baby buckets as being the great evil of our generation--responsible
for everything from lower IQ's to higher violent crime rates. I have
gotten the impression that the criticism of these carseats comes from
mothers of older children who, perhaps, have forgotten what it is like to
parent small babies. (speaking now specifically of the complaints at
conferences I attended). There are times when women who are past the
infant/toddler years give advice/criticism to the mothers of young
children and it sounds like they are out of touch with what parenting a
small baby is like. I think as people in service to said mothers, it is
important that we don't over simplify the demands of caring for a baby
and to not be so quick to criticized the way in which some choose to
manage. I am not speaking to that poor mall baby, ignoring a baby's
hunger is not what I am talking about.
Carolee Hall, ICCE, CD, LE
A sling wearing, breastfeeding, co-sleeping,
homeschooling, Bible believing mother of 4.
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