A Devout Baby Wearer

CanCan, 16 November 2008,
Categories: CanCan, links
Tags: #motrinmoms, baby wearing, motrin

Baby wearing is something I have always known I wanted to do.

A lot of parents feel very passionate about baby wearing.
Besides the closeness and bonding that results from baby wearing, there are also many benefits of not being tied down to an unwieldy stroller.

We have carried our children all over the US and Asia without strollers.

When Jojo was born in 2004, I eagerly tried to wear him in a wrap that I had purchased on eBay. He turned out to be both extroverted (only wanted to be worn facing out!) and very sensitive to the smell of my milk! He would throw a fit, even as a newborn, every time I tried to wear him. Thankfully my husband was open to wearing him, and he did so for MONTHS.

Nick wore Jojo so often in the huge, brightly colored, striped baby wrap that it prompted one of our friends to ask (quite seriously) if we had an agreement that since I had carried him for 9 months of pregnancy, Nick should carry him for the next 9 months.

That wasn’t our bargain, but it did work out that way.

I have too many embarrassing nursing stories to count, but I think I haven’t yet shared about the first time I flew as a mom. I had 7-week-old baby Jojo with me aboard a flight from LA to Bangkok. It is a pretty long flight, and I think that time there were connections where we had to stop in maybe Korea or Taiwan.

When I boarded the plane, I was a bundle of nerves. I wasn’t as worried about Jojo as I was stressed about how other passengers would react to him crying and doing normal baby things.

When a young couple boarded the plane and took the two vacant seats next to us, the woman looked at us holding our baby, then turned to her male companion and gave him a look to say, “Oh, just great. We have to sit by a BABY!”

I was uncomfortable but just tried to ignore them (even though they were jerks). That proved to be difficult because they were in fact worse seat companions than my newborn. They were noisy, and also were reading a huge newspaper for several hours. This was bothersome because they were spanning their arms outside of their seat zones in order to hold the newspaper open as widely as possible. I guess they didn’t realize that a lot of people fold their newspapers IN HALF to read it.

At one point the cabin lights were low and Jojo needed to nurse. We were still getting the hang of it, and my milk started squirting out like a fire hose. Jojo pulled back and the milk was on the loose, squirting all over the place. To my horror/delight, I was totally hosing down the jerk lady who was sitting next to us. What was even better: she was asleep and didn’t notice!

I felt pretty good about my secret revenge, but I would have been horrified if she had been aware!

If you would like to try baby wearing and feel a little intimidated, check out informative web sites like www.wrapyourbaby.com or www.mamatoto.org. That way you can be “in the know” without having to ask questions to a stranger.

Until November 18th, Adventures in Babywearing invites you to share your baby wearing stories for a chance to be entered to win a Pop Nest Sling or a Sparrow Hatchling Sling from Nonny & Boo!

But the real reason I was inspired to post about being a baby wearer is because of a new ad campaign by Motrin, insinuating that baby wearing moms are:

wearing their babies as a fashion accessory only
wearing their babies only to prove themselves as mothers
suffering from back pain that necessitates medication

Here is the transcript from the ad, typed out by Barb of Perfectly Natural Photography:

Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion.

I mean, in theory it’s a great idea.

There’s the front baby carrier, sling, schwing, wrap, pouch.

And who knows what else they’ve come up with. Wear your baby on your side, your front, go hands free.

Supposedly, it’s a real bonding experience.

They say that babies carried close to the bod tend to cry less than others.

But what about me? Do moms that wear their babies cry more than those who don’t?

I sure do!

These things put a ton of strain on your back, your neck, your shoulders. Did I mention your back?!

I mean, I’ll put up with the pain because it’s a good kind of pain; it’s for my kid.

Plus, it totally makes me look like an official mom.

And so if I look tired and crazy, people will understand why.

I don’t have an “activist” personality, but I do find this ad to be condescending. It looks like Motrin is choosing words carefully in order to appear to be in support of baby wearing, but the under lying tone is that baby wearing moms are idiots.

There are many benefits to baby wearing other than looking stylish (I will admit, style was not a factor for me to support baby wearing). Here are just ten reasons to wear your baby!

Other mom bloggers have also taken offense at this ad campaign and are sounding off about it! If you post about this, leave me a comment so I can link to you.

If ad campaigns wish to continue in this vein, may I suggest a brewing company create a series of ads about how terrible having children really is, and how we only procreate so that the neighbors will think we are cool? Kind of like a trophy wife, but with offspring? But hey, at least there is beer to help us forget about our terrible lives!

Hey, this is just one of my many “genius” ideas. Maybe I can get a job with the Upjohn Company in the marketing department at Motrin! The Upjohn Company brings us Xanax, Motrin, and Rogaine!

I hope the next Rogaine campaign is equally as entertaining as this one!

UPDATE: Motrin has removed the ad from their website and issued an email apology to some of those who complained to them directly. You can read the apology letter from Kathy Widmer VP of Marketing - Pain, Pediatrics, GI, Specialty McNeil Consumer Healthcare at Crunchy Domestic Goddess, Mom 101, and Ladybug Landings.

Mom bloggers spoke and Motrin has heard. It was less than 24 hours from when moms took to twitter and the blogs that the situation was remedied.

I think Motrin responded correctly, swiftly and decisively, and we should now let the situation rest.

I do not advocate being “out for blood” or trying to “make them pay.” It’s over. They made an honest mistake and they apologized.

Here is a great recap from Crunchy Domestic Goddess.

Let us now focus on the larger issues in the world.

Eleven Collection’s Fabulous Fall Line, 2008 »

Comments

28 Responses, Leave a Reply

1 Summer
16 November 2008, 2:54 pm

The ad is absurd, I can’t believe they didn’t think before pitching this idea. Did they even ask moms first???

Summers last blog post..Motrin, You’Re Giving Me A Headache
2 Motrin, You’Re Giving Me A Headache » Wired For Noise
16 November 2008, 3:01 pm

[...] Mom Most Traveled - A Devout Baby Wearer [...]
3 Jennifer
16 November 2008, 3:18 pm

First the pictures of you and your children are lovely. Second, I was laughing at your airplane tale, as I traveled with a toddler and twins babies and no one on the plane looked pleased. :shrug: They always slept well on planes.

Oh I also meant to say it was very wonderful of your husband to carry around your oldest. My husband often got to walk around carrying the twins.

Finally, the ad is rather insulting and my boys are far too old to carry and I am still offended. There is absolutely nothing unnatural about carrying ones child. The majority of the world does for the first few years of a child’s life. We moms and dads know what we are doing or did is correct. This ad deserves to have a huge letter writing campaign going to point out the insults and flaws. I best stop. I could go on for hours. *sigh*

Jennifers last blog post..I have a New Favourite Thanks to Mom Most Traveled
4 Kit
16 November 2008, 3:30 pm

You can count me among the voices of dissent. As a baby-wearing dad, I added a brief observation about the motrin ad to my blog.

http://thadenpierce.org/2008/pain-inc/
5 Debbie Dubrow
16 November 2008, 4:19 pm

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I was never a devout baby wearer. For me, it was a matter of convenience (and boy was it convenient, especially when my 2nd was born 18 months after my first). I also saw first hand how much both kids enjoyed it.

Still this ad really got under my skin for two reasons:
a) the implication that someone would wear a baby as some sort of fashion statement
and
b) the idea that when your body has hit its limit, you should pop some pills instead of taking a break, moving to a different sling, or exercising to build up the weak muscles

Debbie Dubrows last blog post..Weekly Family Travel Links, Deals and Giveaways
6 Lisa
16 November 2008, 4:25 pm

Well, with my son, I tried to be a babywearer! We had both a Baby Bjorn and a sling, and he hated them both. Screamed his little head off every single time, and not really having sense enough to go look for a different carrier, I just gave up. I’d like to do better with my second, though (due in April).

That ad is just ridiculous. I certainly wouldn’t wear my child to “look like an official mom”, and if it were hurting me, I’d try something different. I love my son, I’ll love this second child, but come on - I’m not going to do something that causes me physical pain just to look cool. Sheesh. And I don’t need to prove myself as a mother to anyone. I do that every day by doing a good job raising my child, and that’s proof enough for me.

Lisas last blog post..Making Your Home a Haven, Day 5
7 Perfectly Natural Photography | Annoyed By Motrin’s New Ad Campaign
16 November 2008, 4:41 pm

[...] Mom Most Traveled [...]
8 Alicia
16 November 2008, 5:03 pm

Well said! Slings and pouches are so good for both mom (or dad) and babe, it’s awful to see them ridiculed. It’s nice to see so many people blogging in reply to this ad (I’m on the list). It would be great to see this get turned into something positive. Motrin needs to rethink the marketing strategy of ticking off mothers.
Alicias last blog post..Motrin Ad Makes Fun of Moms
9 StephanieInCA
16 November 2008, 5:07 pm

Wow, talk about an advertising FAIL. I’m not sure that an apology is necessary, but Motrin should definitely reexamine how they gather info on what will appeal to their target market.

This reminds me of those terrible Brooke Shields VW ads that seem to mock the very women they’re trying to sell to. So bizarre.
10 Renée aka Mekhismom
16 November 2008, 6:28 pm

I posted about this too. Last night I was caught up and all atwitter about this. Actually I still am! http://cutiebootycakes.blogspot.com/2008/11/babywearing-momma.html

Renée aka Mekhismoms last blog post..A Little Treat for Mom
11 Cindi ~ Moomettesgram
16 November 2008, 7:19 pm

You both look so happy in the photos ~ definitely not a picture of someone in pain ~ thanks for sharing ~

I’d like to say Kudos to my DD25 for using a baby sling with my new grandson ~

My take on the Motrin ad Advertising Gone Wrong ~ Twitter Moms Sound Off about Motrin

Cindi ~ Moomettesgrams last blog post..Wordless Wednesday
12 Kim
16 November 2008, 8:25 pm

I completely agree with you. I blogged about it this morning also. Just so irritating.
13 pinkrunningshoes
16 November 2008, 8:50 pm

I’ve had people stop me all over Chicago asking me about baby wearing. I love it. Sometimes I still do it, even though my kids are 3 and 4. I blogged about it here: http://pinkrunningshoes.typepad.com/frogger/2008/11/oh-motrin-you-give-me-a-headache.html
14 golightly
16 November 2008, 9:15 pm

Thanks for stopping by and commenting and for the additional links to other bloggers incensed by this ridiculous campaign! I like the beer idea!
15 Motrin, Who’s Feeling The Pain Now? | New Old Moms Club
16 November 2008, 10:58 pm

[...] Most Traveled Mom [...]
16 Steph @ Problem Solvin Mom
17 November 2008, 1:22 am

Great photos! Love your carrier and your story about your milky revenge!

I wrote a Motrin post today too, just can’t get over what a complete misfire that ad campaign was. I can’t decide which ad (motrin or children’s motrin) was more offensive!

Steph @ Problem Solvin Moms last blog post..Motrin vs. Moms?
17 Adventures In Babywearing
17 November 2008, 1:39 am

Your pics are great! And good to speak out about the Motrin issue! What a day!

Steph
18 Kathleen
17 November 2008, 3:07 am

I’ve been seeing a lot of angry posts about that stupid ad…honestly, I can’t believe how idiotic PR people can be. They certainly could have sold more pills if they appealed to babywearing moms.

Honestly, I’ve never had pain from wearing my son, other than when he was in it for too long, but that’s my own fault. I don’t know what I would have done during those early months without my carrier. Now though, it’s hard to keep him in it without him trying to “step out” of it by climbing my knees. I’m going to have to get a back carrier after Christmas with some of the gift money we get.

Thanks for sharing those photos. I love seeing you and your kids together.
19 Kristina
17 November 2008, 5:36 am

Well, it’s nice for it to be acknowledged that we mommy-bloggers are in fact a force to be reckoned with! Soo many ads are annoying, but this one.. with the condescending voice actress.. blechh…
20 Cindy
17 November 2008, 1:27 pm

I just found you. I mentioned your article in my post.
21 caitlin
17 November 2008, 4:48 pm

I just saw this ad in a magazine and was horrified!! I think that is is downright insulting! It also minimizes what we are doing as mothers- I don’t wear my chid for an accessory! Sigh.. I am not a confrontational person, but I want to write them a letter!
Keep up the good blog work- I love it!
22 Julie@Cool Mom Guide
17 November 2008, 8:31 pm

I put Mr LInky up so link right back!

http://www.coolmomguide.com/wear-that-baby
23 Michelle
18 November 2008, 4:53 pm

I’m not going to comment on the ad, because I think everyone’s covered that. I wanted to say thank you for all the great information. Morgan’s personality gave me no other choice but to wear her, but I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
24 Mrs. S
18 November 2008, 9:06 pm

Oh my goodness, congrats. Your flight story is probably the funniest thing I’ve EVER heard. What a jerk lady! I can’t believe she didn’t just keep her mouth shut. I mean, I was scared to travel with my 16 mo son but he did fabulous and it was an older kid that was the nightmare. Babies aren’t BAD…people just have bad perceptions of them on flights.
25 MommyNamedApril
19 November 2008, 12:56 am

congrats on your win! here’s my babywearing/anti-motrin post http://aprilslittlefamily.blogspot.com/2008/11/baby-wearing-fools-by-mama-seuss.html

MommyNamedAprils last blog post.."Baby Wearing Fools" by Mama Seuss.
26 Smellyann
19 November 2008, 7:23 am

LMAO at the milk story on the plane! Whoops!

Thanks for filling me in, I’m behind in my blog reading
27 disappointed
21 November 2008, 4:50 pm

Honestly, I’m really surprised so many people are so “outraged” at this campaign. Really? This is a pain reliever company letting people know that if you’re suffering from any discomfort trying out what is a growing trend, then they are there to help. You can’t deny that “baby wearing” is a growing trend. It doesn’t say it’s a fashion statement, that’s something that the angry mothers implied. It also doesn’t say that baby wearing isn’t legitimate, they don’t imply that.

Also, yes, some people do follow trends, simply because everyone else is doing it. And to imply that NO new mothers out there are trying a baby sling just because they saw someone else do it is very naive. I’m not saying those mothers won’t benefit from the practice, but all humans are susceptible to shallowness and most trends are the result of a few influential people doing something new that sparks a large group of people replicating their actions, and for a variety of reasons. Motrin noticing this does not make them bad.

And finally, while you certainly were subjected to some rude behavior on your flight, I wonder why you feel justified in hosing down another human with your bodily fluid? Regardless of the amazing miracle of human milk, and how it feeds and nurtures our children, your breast milk is still a bodily fluid, and a very personal one at that. If I urinated, spit, or sweat on someone every time they did something that disrespected me or my family members, I would be considered a negative member of society. Just because your body fluid involves a precious gift of life for your baby DOES NOT mean that you have the right to feel justified in your actions, nor should you be proud of it. Those that encourage you in the above comments are simply blinded by their own “mother pride” to realize that you were just as rude, arrogant, and wrong as your flight companions were. The action might have been an accident, but your happiness certainly proves you’re not above them.
28 Rebuttal to Anonymous | Mom Most Traveled
21 November 2008, 6:08 pm

[...] comment was left just today on this post, about the Motrin Moms thing. In my mind, Motrin Moms is over and done with, water under the [...]