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Monday, October 26, 2009

Adoption, Attachment, Bonding, Baby Wearing, Baby Carriers, and Russia, Russian Adoption


I have titled my post as such in hopes that it might attract attention from some been-there, done-that parents of adopted children. The purpose of this post is two-fold: to request information for me, and for a friend. Any appropriate insights and advice will be much appreciated!


Me: I would like to have the option of "wearing" or carrying my boys when they come home. I don't know how often I will do this because from what I read, much of it depends on their individual temperaments and bonding needs. Either way, I would like to have the option but the only baby carrier I've ever used is a Snugli and it wasn't the most comfortable for me. I need to have my hands free and I want it to feel as natural as possible, so I am thinking along the lines of a sling that allows a toddler to "sit" on my hip more or less. I should, however, point out that I am not the most coordinated person in the world and need this baby carrier to be very user-friendly! (I know, I'm not asking much, am I?) At any rate, if you could offer me some pointers - remembering that my boys will be toddlers, not infants - I will thank you from the bottom of my heart. :)

My friend: My very dear friend adopted siblings from Russia at ages 2 (daughter) and 3 (son) years old. They are now 7 (daughter) and 8 (son) years old. They are struggling with their daughter, who frequently lashes out in anger and expresses that she thinks her life would be better back in Russia, etc. etc. I offered to mention this on here in hopes that someone with experience and insight regarding this issue would be willing to communicate with my friend via e-mail. If so, please leave me a comment with your e-mail (I will not post the comment if you prefer to keep your e-mail private.) Thank you in advance for your encouragement and help in this way!

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

I have been borrowing an ERGo baby carrier for my two yr old and actually prefer it to our frame backpack. So much lighter and easy to pack in a to go bag. The hip carrier that I thought looked good (but have never tried) is the Scootababy. Check out this sight so see some really cool baby carriers. It's important to have the waste belt and padded shoulder straps for heavier children.

Anonymous said...

http://www.tendercargo.com/catalog/Scootababy.html?gclid=CPKB-4TT2Z0CFRBM5QodCivVyQ

Oops! This is the sight above

Melissa said...

Stephanie, the only way that I could Drew to take a nap was to carry him on my back before nap time. In Korea, he was carried all of the time this way by his foster mom. Anyway, I had an Evenflo baby carrier for the back. I had gotten it for hiking with the other two, but ended up wearing it with Drew every day, multiple times a day. I wish I remember exactly how old he was when he quit going in it, but we did it for quite a long while. It is nice because it has a stand that if you need to take it off and they happen to fall asleep in it, it will stand on its own. Also he was behind me so I could cook and have total hands free, but he would snuggle his head on my neck and reach around to touch my face and so forth.

Becky Dempsey said...

Here are instructions to sew your own: http://www.mykarmababy.com/pages/BabySlingPattern.php

Here are pictures of people using it and several have toddlers on hips: http://www.mykarmababy.com/photos.php

I haven't made mine yet, but plan to as soon as I find the fabric I have for it!

Amanda said...

Look up Toddler Patapum online.

This is the carrier that I want for our Joshua. It's a bit pricey, but from all I've read, worth it. I can't WAIT to pack my baby alllll over. :~)

Rebekah said...

I have a mei tai, and it would work well for toddlers.

sea salt MOSAIC said...

Stephanie,

I just ran across this ladies site and she seems to know and love all things slings!

http://www.storinguptreasures.com/search/label/slings

good luck!