Just echoing others sentiments that some people love 'em and some don't. Do you NEED one? No, probably not. You can totally live without one. But they can be very helpful and useful.
For me, I used it from when DD was 3 months to about 12 months. Around 14 months, my DD just refused to be carried. She hates being warm and she hates being restricted or constricted in any way. It's part of her personality. She has never been snuggly. She JUST NOW will voluntarily cuddle watching TV or reading.
I work full time and when I needed to get out and about I needed to maximize my time. I loved using a carrier for errands and shopping. It seemed so much more simple than lugging the giant carseat around and I felt so detached from DD when she was in her stroller. It was so much easier to push a shopping cart with her in the carrier. I interacted with her more than I would if she were in a stroller. I talked to her constantly when she was in the carrier.
I preferred a SSC (soft structured carrier like Ergo, Pikkolo, etc. I had a Connecta from England) than wraps and slings. I was not handy enough for a wrap and I felt the Moby stretched too much and DD refused to be in a sling. But that was just *my* preference.
There are lots of great posts here on BBB about babywearing. There is also a great site called www.thebabywearer.com where there is TONS of good info. But if you don't want to use a carrier and don't think you will, then don't. Millions of people don't and they do just fine
ETA: Now that I am expecting number 2, I am super excited to dig out our old Connecta and I am shopping carriers again. I got enough out of it the first time around to want to do it the 2nd time around! And I can easily see how, with a toddler running around, a carrier is going to come in handy!
ETA Again...The Baby Wearer also has a FSOT sections so if cost is an issue preventing you from wanting to try a carrier, you could consider buying a used carrrier.
Last edited by amldaley; 08-01-2011 at 09:27 AM.
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A-M
happy mother to DD1, 7/08 & DD2, 2/12
charter member of the BBB I Love Brussels Sprouts Society, 1/11
I believe in the power of BBB Good Mojo.
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