Why Real Men Carry Their Babies

I’m pretty wary when anyone says ‘real men do this’ or ‘only manly men do such and such’. What does that say about the author? Are they trying to imply that they’ve made it as a man? Does anyone who refuses to comply fall in the masculinity stakes.

Often this phrase is used to belittle men, or in this case Dads. So I’m not even sure I agree with my own title.

It got your attention though didn’t it?

I want to persuade you that carrying your baby in a sling type baby carrier or back pack is a manly thing to do. Its something you should wear with pride and not be embarrassed about.

If you bought an expensive watch, you’d wear it everywhere you could. You’d be so proud of it. You might even start wearing short sleeved shirts to show it off more. OK, maybe not.

So how much more are you going to want to show off your kids to the world. If you can do it with some style and in a way they’ll love, then why not?

Next time you’re out somewhere busy, look around. Who carries the baby now? It’s the Dad. I want to convince you that’s the way forward.

You Have so Many Options when it comes to Baby Carrying

A few years ago there were hardly any baby carriers on the market and they were all pretty basic and lets face it, unfashionable. Now there are literally hundreds. I have some preferences – more later.

Many of the modern carrying options offer a mix or comfort, practicality, luggage and accessory options.

I like to have the flexibility of front carry and back carry as these are useful for different situations. Baby carrying (as opposed to a pram or buggy) gives you a lot more freedom in places like museums, shopping centres and airports. You’re not tied to lifts and ramps.

Or asking people to help you with a pram off a train.

If you’re a new Dad or expectant father, it’s worth taking time to shop around and see what is going to suit your needs the most. You don’t want to be buying more than one carrier if you can help it.

It Helps you Bond with your Kids

If you work long hours, have a monster commute and often stay away for business, you’ll know that bonding time with your kids is scarce and valuable.

Bonding with a baby or toddler can be tough if you miss bath times five days out of seven. Through a recent busy time at work, I went for five days without even seeing my daughter.

The closeness and the fun you can have with a young child in a carrier is priceless. I carry my kids whenever I can.

When your baby is a bit older and can walk, a baby carrier is a useful backup for when your child gets tired. You can also attempt more adventurous activities like taking your toddlers hiking.

Bonding doesn’t just have to involve closeness, it can be fun activities like berry picking, treasure hunts or exploring woods together.

It Helps your Partner

This is a really big one for me. My wife, like many mums, struggles with back pain. It’s a big help to her if I can take the lion’s share of baby carrying. If we’re out, I’ll volunteer to take the baby carrier.

That’s going to save her a great deal of discomfort and also give us the freedom that we can’t enjoy if we take the buggy.

It’s also a help if I can take the kids away for the morning and let her nap, clean the house or just chill in front of the TV. I also get alone time with my kids so everyone wins.

Having the carrier helps me manage two young children while still having a whale of a time.

The flexibility of the carrier means I can take both of my young children somewhere exciting like a museum, a short walk or even to a shopping centre if I feel like self torture. Recently we all went to look round a tall ship – a challenge with a toddler and a buggy.

Baby Carrying Keeps you Fit and Healthy

‘How I lost 50lbs carrying my baby in a sling’ is a post you’ll never find on This Dad Does. It’s ridiculous to suggest that the extra calories burned from carrying a small person could contribute to significant fat loss.

I do however believe in a bigger picture approach to fitness and overall health. Have a generally more holistic approach to health and fitness – what I like to call a hybridised fitness – can ultimately lead to a fitter you with less opportunity for injury, over training or stagnation.

I hope to develop this idea in a further post.

Consider this: if fitness and health is a part of your whole lifestyle is that not better than 1 hour you spend in the gym 4 times a week. If your approach to fitness revolves around circuits class, what happens when you suffer injury?

But what if being active is a reality of your day to day life? Are you not more dedicated to longevity and quality of life? Every day of every week, you strive to be active, eat right and stay healthy.

Baby carrying is part of that lifestyle. It’s harder work than pushing a buggy and can:

• Help to improve posture
• Motivate you to walk more
• Allow you to walk more challenging routes

 

Get out there and Carry your Kids

Hopefully I’ve convinced you that carrying a baby is not just for mums. Quite the opposite in fact, it’s something you should want to do whenever you can. With the range of options for carrying, you have no excuse.

There are also benefits such as bonding and helping your partner in a practical way.

Carrying your kids can also feature as part of the holistic approach you take towards health and fitness. Get out there and wear your kids with pride.

 

P.S. I’ve tested and reviewed the Best Baby Carriers. Check it out.