The Baby Carrier Days

What is it about a man and a baby that makes people so crazy with adoration?

For a brief period of time after my son was born, I was the one who went to work while my husband stayed home. Every Wednesday morning, Mike would put Scout in his baby carrier and head off to the grocery store. Other days, the two of them would walk around Best Buy or visit me at my office.  Some days, they just walked around our neighborhood.

It was so simple to leave the house with our little son– no battles over clothes, no endless negotiations.  Just an extra bottle, some diapers, and a baby carrier, and my son was more than happy to take a ride.

Wherever their adventures took them, they would always attract quite a fan following.  Mike still talks about the time when he and Scout rounded an aisle and came face to face with an elderly man. My son flashed him the biggest toothless smile, and the man flashed his own toothless grin in return.

When it was my turn to do the shopping, the store employees would recognize my son immediately. They would flock to us and mention that my husband had been there earlier this week. “What a great dad he is! You’re so lucky!” they would say, completely oblivious to the fact that there I was doing the exact… same… thing…

While this has always been a tiny thorn in my side, it was one of the happiest times in my husband’s life. Those days when everything was new and waiting to be discovered, the simplest things would make Scout giggle and Mike was more than happy to explain. It was their time. Pure and simple.

It didn’t take long for Mike to find another job. I quit mine to stay home and we’ve been running on parallel tracks every since. Mike’s career keeps him busy and away from home a lot. He’s had breaks in between jobs. He’s had weekends, vacations, and days off, but he’s never again had the opportunity to just BE with the kids.

It’s been amazing to see our son grow up to be such a fascinating person. At five years old, he dreams up his own adventures now, but my husband still cherishes the baby carrier days when he could turn our little guy to face the world, hold him close, and never want to let him go.

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Britax is one of our wonderful “All About the Bump” Month sponsors and I was pleased to have any opportunity to write about our baby carrier experience.

The Britax Baby Carrier is arrive this Summer!

Britax, the leader in car seats, is introducing a soft-structured baby carrier that offers optimal comfort for both parent and child. The new Britax Baby Carrier features the CarryLong System, which reduces the risk of back and shoulder strain during extended wear by distributing weight across the shoulders, back and hips.

Other great features of the carrier include:

• Multiple Carrying Positions offer parent versatility to face baby inward or outward
• Simple Slip On & Off Design makes use quick and effortless {it’s so easy, you simply put it over your head and it’s on!}
• Harness Straps adjust from front of carrier for proper customized fit
• Excess Belt Storage Bands eliminate loose straps
• 100% Cotton Machine Washable Bib (included) protects carrier from stains
• Adjustable Head Support provides head and neck stability for younger infants
• Leg Loops reduce the size of leg openings for 8-11 pound infants for secure fit

Best of all, it’s perfect for mom AND dad!

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