I have over the years developed a particular dislike for seeing babies backed in busy cities. Busy cities are known for their rush and rowdiness and innocent babies shouldn’t be their scapegoats.
My hearts kicks like it is about to fall to the ground when I watch the typical Nigerian mother back her baby and board a bus. First, the bus is still slowly moving while she is attempting to board. Second, the baby’s head narrowly misses the bus’ metal door and the mother is oblivious until the passengers in the bus notify her. With that knowledge, she bends lower, trying her best to fit in the child’s head into the door. She finally sits but not without squeezing the child on the seat because all passenger buses that were bought with three/four bench seats are now with five – six bench seats and would carry five passengers on the seats instead of four or even three – but that’s besides the point because the baby starts to wail and amidst the shoving, pushing and nearly knocking out passengers sitting beside her, the mother tries to placate her baby. However, it is very plain to see that in that position, the mother and baby are very uncomfortable.
I cannot imagine putting my baby through that stress every time I need to go out.
In the 70s/80s, mothers backed their babies because they wanted them close while doing other chores. The environment then too wasn’t as busy as what we have now. The environment we are in now has changed and this is the more reason why you need to change your method of carrying your baby. Baby carriers, wraps and slings promote better the purpose of keeping your baby close and will protect your child from the annoying drama I described!
Baby carriers that would help you carry your baby facing you may be expensive, but the risk, stress and hazards of backing a baby in busy cities makes it worth it. Baby carriers are convenient and help maintain the bond between the mother and baby. Backing babies to me breaks that transmission that ought to be continuous. With a baby carrier, you can adjust the straps to help you breastfeed your child. At home, you can use baby wraps and slings. They greatly reduce back pain that comes with using the baby carrier. These modern solutions keep your baby in your face so you can tell immediately when the child is going through discomfort thereby reducing crying, promoting bonding, reducing the hazardous risks in busy cities and helping you concentrate on other demands.
Do you know that babies’ proximity to their mother can make them eat better so they can grow better? Contrary to what some might think, plenty of loving contact does not “spoil” a baby or make them more demanding, instead it helps babies feel more comfortable and happy in their new world. So if your baby isn’t eating as much as is needed, more carrying and loving human contact might help.
As the baby grows, you’ll need to get bigger carriers so that carrying them don’t cause you severe back pain.
If you can afford a car, of course you should get a baby seat and protect your child from the business of city life. If you can’t, stop backing the child as if we’re still in the 70s! Get a baby sling, wrap or carrier and wear your baby safely.
