Rowan and his daughter Brooke show what you can get done with a sling!
Real men wear babies by Jessica Richards, founder of Slingbabies
One sure way to make babywearing mums around the world swoon is to show them a babywearing dad. I kid you not- it brings out the PHWOAR in all of us!
So why do babywearing fathers make our hearts melt?
It shows that they are capable, interested and involved. Babies aren't purely mum's job, and nor should they be. Sometimes in stressful times, a change of scenery is just what baby needs: who doesn't love a fuzzy cuddle on dad's chest? Not only do babies love the texture, they are soothed by the deeper tone of dad's voice as he talks- that same voice they recognise from the womb.
We are well past the times when mothers did all the parenting and fathers the disciplining, showing no affection for fear of spoiling the children, being distant and feared. Now we know that it is beneficial for all, when fathers are demonstrative, nurturing, and take an active role in their baby's upbringing. This helps create a loving relationship with a purposefully different dynamic to the one between mum and baby.
New dads are often left thinking “but what can I do, the baby just wants mum all the time?” Although a new father's primary job is to support the baby-mother dyad, there are so many ways dads can get in on the action, babywearing being a useful tool for this. It is something dads (and mums) can do equally well- sometimes even better because dad doesn't smell of milkies!
Being a father doesn't have to mean your activities are limited or there can be no fun anymore. Wearing baby means dad can get some Xbox time, do some chores or just chill with his offspring which gives mum a breather from the intensity of being needed constantly. (You may have to leave the motorcross for a while, but life goes in phases and our babies aren't little forever!)
Babywearing can be a father's secret weapon for settling his baby. How empowering! We all have those times when nothing seems to work- bring out the sling and VOILA! Friends and family are left in awe of dad's mad baby skills.
Babywearing dads have the chance to really connect with their babies. Babies don't need to be actively entertained the whole time. They are so happy just to be on dad and look at whatever he's doing. Chat about it as you go, and they'll soak it up joyfully! Babywearing is wonderful for working dads- they can come home, pop the baby or toddler on and reconnect with them after the long busy day.
Dads seem to find the buckles and hardware of soft structured carriers appealing. No flowers or frilly nonsense here! Give a babywearing dad a SSC and a toddler, and they'll be off up the countryside before you know it. Other lucky dads have wives/partners who are already into babywearing, and will wrap them up in an assortment of woven or stretchy wrap carries. The best wrapper I know of is a dad Paulus, who has even invented his own wrap tying method.
The babywearing dad with the biggest fan club is known as 'Aurora's daddy'. Look at 'Front Pocket Cross Carry with baby Aurora' on the Slingbabies Instructions page and you'll see why we swoon.
The sight of dads nurturing their children has mums all a-flutter!
Dads have such an important role to play in their children's lives. Why not be involved from the beginning? Get yourself a decent carrier (see Issue 2-Choosing a baby carrier) and get out there with your baby. You can wash the car, cook dinner (using a back carry), go walking, vacuum, hang out washing, tend to the farm, play with the older kids, go to barbeques, go shopping...... the world is your oyster when you have your baby in a carrier.
Jessica Richards is a mother of 3, ex-teacher and founder of Slingbabies- NZ's biggest babywearing group and website.
