The stroller conversion
Unexpected nice things about my back forcing me to switch from sling to stroller:
1. We can walk and walk and walk and walk for miles and I don’t get too tired/feel like my shoulder will fall off.
2. Thumper is seeing the world from a whole new vantage point and is having a great time pointing at everything. He also likes waving to other kids passing us in strollers. In the sling he wasn’t at their eye level.
3. I can buy groceries and hang the bags off the stroller handles. Kind of cool to know I can go ahead and buy those apples without considering how much weight they’ll add to what I’m already schlepping.
4. Thumper naps well in the stroller. Today after running an errand (getting my bridesmaid dress for an upcoming wedding altered–also something that couldn’t have been accomplished with the sling) we rolled on over to a cafe where Ernesto tends to go to write during the day in the summers, hoping to find him there. Thumper fell asleep on the way and slept comfortably through the hour or so I spent visiting with Ernesto, distracting him from his writing.
4a. I hadn’t seen Ernesto in far too long. Missed him terribly. Good news for the world–he’s almost done with his next novel.
5. It bears repeating: I walked three miles easily without feeling like my shoulder was about to fall off.
I love wearing my baby. Don’t get me wrong. I’m still all about the baby-wearing in the house. And all about the baby-wearing out of the house when they’re smaller. But this back injury was perhaps a good thing, because it forced me to try the stroller that had been collecting dust. I still don’t like it for train and bus travel, but for anywhere we can walk, I’m sold.
I wore both of my kids. When the older was bigger, wore one, strolled the other. Now I do in-home childcare and though my oldest is 17 and my youngest is 14, I still wear the children I watch, while strolling the bigger ones (I have a double stroller.) A couple of weeks ago, I took my 14 year old for his camp physical. I wore the 5 month old, had the 18 month old and the 23 month old in the stroller and the 3 and a half year old was helping out. It continues. Wearing children just changes as they age…..
~~Mary~~
Posted by: midj
I remember making the transition from sling to stroller. It was like a whole new world opened up for the exact same reasons you said. I could put things on the stroller and not have to carry them. I am really sold on those drink holders on the strollers for mom a babe as well. I LOVE them!!! I haven’t worn any babes in a little while but there are times I miss it….but my back doesn’t at all!
Posted by: Stephanie
When he waves, does he do that twisty-at-the-wrist wave, with his arm stuck out? I love watching little kids wave. And I love watching toddlers look at babies — like they’re not still babies themselves!
Posted by: janna
Have you blogged about what type of sling you prefer? I didn’t use a sling for the first baby, but would love to with the next one (due in winter). Thanks!
Enjoy the stroller time. Mine doesn’t like if you’re stopped for long & will push anything close for the stroller to move.
Posted by: lola
Strollers definitely have their perks too. I always figured there was a reason a lot of kids are in them. 🙂 Of course, I did love wearing my kids.
Posted by: Holly Jo
Hi there, I’m a long time reader compelled to de-lurk by your great post. I had to laugh when I read it – I have recently gone through the same conversion. I was such a staunch baby wearer, and have the three slings to prove it, but wow, walking! In a stroller! I love it. It is so relaxing for both of us. Slings are still great for ‘off road’ but good to have both in your repertoire. What sling are you using? I’m finding the ellaroo mei tei really great as M. gets older (and heavier).
Posted by: Tamsin
i threw my back out last week also! have had to sit very, very straight at work all week. it’s making me crazy. hopefully will be able to return to slouching soon!
Posted by: carolyn
i love my stroller and so does the peanut. she’s never really been into the sling unfortunately. she also struggles a lot when we try to hold her. i think that she gets hot really fast and uncomfortable. oh well. thank god for the stroller! i take a walk with her everyday. it’s definitely getting a lot of use!
Posted by: gleek
Yep, the boy has grown and it’s time to move on. The first of many times you will change things up to accommodate his growth.
Good on you for doing it gracefully.
Posted by: LaurieM
Living in a rural area with no public transit, the first major purchase after we found out I was pregnant was….a car. I had been driving a Bronco II, but it only has 2 doors, and I couldn’t see struggling to get the baby/carseat in and out of the back seat. Car that was picked has 4 doors, and a nice, big area in back where the stroller lives.
Posted by: Cathy
I’m glad you are finding the stroller to be a nice alternative to the sling. It is always nice when a change brings about such happy benefits.
Posted by: Sarah
I wore both of my kids. When the older was bigger, wore one, strolled the other. Now I do in-home childcare and though my oldest is 17 and my youngest is 14, I still wear the children I watch, while strolling the bigger ones (I have a double stroller.) A couple of weeks ago, I took my 14 year old for his camp physical. I wore the 5 month old, had the 18 month old and the 23 month old in the stroller and the 3 and a half year old was helping out. It continues. Wearing children just changes as they age…..
~~Mary~~
Posted by: midj
I remember making the transition from sling to stroller. It was like a whole new world opened up for the exact same reasons you said. I could put things on the stroller and not have to carry them. I am really sold on those drink holders on the strollers for mom a babe as well. I LOVE them!!! I haven’t worn any babes in a little while but there are times I miss it….but my back doesn’t at all!
Posted by: Stephanie
When he waves, does he do that twisty-at-the-wrist wave, with his arm stuck out? I love watching little kids wave. And I love watching toddlers look at babies — like they’re not still babies themselves!
Posted by: janna
Have you blogged about what type of sling you prefer? I didn’t use a sling for the first baby, but would love to with the next one (due in winter). Thanks!
Enjoy the stroller time. Mine doesn’t like if you’re stopped for long & will push anything close for the stroller to move.
Posted by: lola
Strollers definitely have their perks too. I always figured there was a reason a lot of kids are in them. 🙂 Of course, I did love wearing my kids.
Posted by: Holly Jo
Hi there, I’m a long time reader compelled to de-lurk by your great post. I had to laugh when I read it – I have recently gone through the same conversion. I was such a staunch baby wearer, and have the three slings to prove it, but wow, walking! In a stroller! I love it. It is so relaxing for both of us. Slings are still great for ‘off road’ but good to have both in your repertoire. What sling are you using? I’m finding the ellaroo mei tei really great as M. gets older (and heavier).
Posted by: Tamsin
i threw my back out last week also! have had to sit very, very straight at work all week. it’s making me crazy. hopefully will be able to return to slouching soon!
Posted by: carolyn
i love my stroller and so does the peanut. she’s never really been into the sling unfortunately. she also struggles a lot when we try to hold her. i think that she gets hot really fast and uncomfortable. oh well. thank god for the stroller! i take a walk with her everyday. it’s definitely getting a lot of use!
Posted by: gleek
Yep, the boy has grown and it’s time to move on. The first of many times you will change things up to accommodate his growth.
Good on you for doing it gracefully.
Posted by: LaurieM
Living in a rural area with no public transit, the first major purchase after we found out I was pregnant was….a car. I had been driving a Bronco II, but it only has 2 doors, and I couldn’t see struggling to get the baby/carseat in and out of the back seat. Car that was picked has 4 doors, and a nice, big area in back where the stroller lives.
Posted by: Cathy
I’m glad you are finding the stroller to be a nice alternative to the sling. It is always nice when a change brings about such happy benefits.
Posted by: Sarah
Yes, the stroller definitely has its advantages.
Posted by: Kim
Good to know – another nugget of information for me to store away for when we have children. Someday!
Posted by: Knittripps
Uh huh.
Just watch how much you hang on the handle. Those strollers can tip over backward if there’s too much weight hanging from the handle. (Don’t ask how I know, ‘k?)
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)
It has been said, amongst close friends and family members, that I’m always right. Hadn’t I mentioned that to you before? 😉
And the groceries on the stroller thing? Hard to beat.
Posted by: Cassie
Just promise us you won’t become one of those moms that unwittingly – I hope – uses the stroller as a battering ram in crowds or malls. I can see a definite benefit in having your child in a stroller at a public market or fair, but I’m ready to think they should be banned so the rest of us don’t have to start wearing body armor!
Posted by: Amy in StL
I agree with you, the stroller is great for longer walks and shopping, but the sling is better for transport. Although, I haven’t worn mine in years as my girls us a bouncing soon to be 4 year old.
Posted by: Asaknitter
I second that emotion! As with all things, moderation and a bit of common sense go a long way (of course, I, too resisted the stroller and then felt guilty when I did use it).
Posted by: Jenni
Your greyhound is beautiful – we have a 1/2 greyhound and 1/2 australian cattle dog… just wonderful!
Posted by: Barbara
I wore my daughter exclusively for her first 6 months. Then I wore out (hello? all night nurser? still is!) and decided using the super expensive stroller might be a good thing – it helps me conserve energy and she naps in it well, but we still have lots of sling time because it’s so nice to be able to chat and cuddle. I LOVE my Baby Buddha sling/carrier – it’s still awesome even though now I’m lugging around a nineteen pounder.
Posted by: Krisy
The invention of the wheel was truly a miraculous thing. Besides its transporting ability, our umbrella stroller also proved to be an effective barrier between the 2 car seats in the back seat to prevent pinching and other unbecoming sibling atrocities.
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
with twins i only stroller them on our long walks (duh). they nap well and as they get older i know they will love seeing the world out there. i do sling ’em when able for the sheer lovely contact, thank god i have live-in grandparents. right now opa has mason cuddled on his barrel chest. isn’t family lovely?
Posted by: mames
I loved both the sling and the stroller. I remember when my oldest girl eventually got too old to want to ride in the stroller anymore, and I was dismayed — “But where am I going to put all my stuff?” They’re the best for going to craft fairs. *sigh*
Posted by: Carolyn Bahm
Yes, the stroller definitely has its advantages.
Posted by: Kim
Good to know – another nugget of information for me to store away for when we have children. Someday!
Posted by: Knittripps
Uh huh.
Just watch how much you hang on the handle. Those strollers can tip over backward if there’s too much weight hanging from the handle. (Don’t ask how I know, ‘k?)
Posted by: Suzanne V. (Yarnhog)
It has been said, amongst close friends and family members, that I’m always right. Hadn’t I mentioned that to you before? 😉
And the groceries on the stroller thing? Hard to beat.
Posted by: Cassie
Just promise us you won’t become one of those moms that unwittingly – I hope – uses the stroller as a battering ram in crowds or malls. I can see a definite benefit in having your child in a stroller at a public market or fair, but I’m ready to think they should be banned so the rest of us don’t have to start wearing body armor!
Posted by: Amy in StL
I agree with you, the stroller is great for longer walks and shopping, but the sling is better for transport. Although, I haven’t worn mine in years as my girls us a bouncing soon to be 4 year old.
Posted by: Asaknitter
I second that emotion! As with all things, moderation and a bit of common sense go a long way (of course, I, too resisted the stroller and then felt guilty when I did use it).
Posted by: Jenni
Your greyhound is beautiful – we have a 1/2 greyhound and 1/2 australian cattle dog… just wonderful!
Posted by: Barbara
I wore my daughter exclusively for her first 6 months. Then I wore out (hello? all night nurser? still is!) and decided using the super expensive stroller might be a good thing – it helps me conserve energy and she naps in it well, but we still have lots of sling time because it’s so nice to be able to chat and cuddle. I LOVE my Baby Buddha sling/carrier – it’s still awesome even though now I’m lugging around a nineteen pounder.
Posted by: Krisy
The invention of the wheel was truly a miraculous thing. Besides its transporting ability, our umbrella stroller also proved to be an effective barrier between the 2 car seats in the back seat to prevent pinching and other unbecoming sibling atrocities.
Posted by: Mary K. in Rockport
with twins i only stroller them on our long walks (duh). they nap well and as they get older i know they will love seeing the world out there. i do sling ’em when able for the sheer lovely contact, thank god i have live-in grandparents. right now opa has mason cuddled on his barrel chest. isn’t family lovely?
Posted by: mames
I loved both the sling and the stroller. I remember when my oldest girl eventually got too old to want to ride in the stroller anymore, and I was dismayed — “But where am I going to put all my stuff?” They’re the best for going to craft fairs. *sigh*
Posted by: Carolyn Bahm
You just keep taking the stroller with you. My GRANDCHILDREN are long out of strollers, and I still use mine for things like art fairs and shopping trips where I might have too much to carry easily. I just wish I still had the buggy I had with my own kids. It carried ice chests and lawn chairs…something my unbrella stroller can’t do.
Posted by: Nancy
You just keep taking the stroller with you. My GRANDCHILDREN are long out of strollers, and I still use mine for things like art fairs and shopping trips where I might have too much to carry easily. I just wish I still had the buggy I had with my own kids. It carried ice chests and lawn chairs…something my unbrella stroller can’t do.
Posted by: Nancy