Motrin Can Kiss My Crunchy Patootie

What on earth were the half brained people in the marketing department thinking when they decided to come out with this campaign?  Click the link below to see:

http://www.motrin.com/

Here is the ad, in case it is removed, (which I suspect it will be very soon):

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.

For those of you out of the babywearing loop let me bring you up to speed.  Babywearing is not a new trend, but a cultural practice where a mother, father, or others close to the baby "wear" the baby in a carrier, sling or wrap.  Babywearing has been long documented among other cultures and studies suggest babies who are worn cry less, which is good for both mom and baby.  One physician, Dr. William Sears, has written much about babywearing and it's benefits.  Overall it's a practice that makes sense when you think of how moms and babies bond and what makes babies happy.

I had never even heard of babywearing until after my Nee Nee was born seven years ago.  She was known as the Velcro baby because she never wanted to be put down.  Being a mommy to a high needs child like her was nothing less than draining.  One day another mom suggested I wear her in a sling.  Lo and behold...she was a happier baby and I was a happier mama.  This picture of us was taken when she was five months old.  You can see she is happy and I am smiling!  For me babywearing was the only way I could keep my sanity!  I wore all three of my kiddos and I still wear Noah when he has his cloth diapers in a bunch or when he won't sit in the cart at Trader Joe's.

So here's my response to Motrin:

Dear PR People At Motrin,

In theory your marketing campaign may have seemed like a great idea.  I mean, let's take something that millions of women have done for thousands of years, find the downside and add a plug for your pain reliever.  Viola!  The Motrin should be flying off the shelves, right? 

So if I am understanding you correctly I only wear my baby because I want to be fashionable and regardless of how much pain it puts me in I will suffer for supposed benefits that are good in theory?  Sounds like the fixings for a nice case of post-partum depression to me!   

First of all, babywearing's "supposed" benefits have been studied for years and have actually been proven and documented.  Secondly, I don't know what the heck a "schwing" is but if you are trying to sweeten your insult by using a Wayne's World  catchphrase I think all of those anti-inflammatories have clogged your brains.  Lastly, any carrier that is causing you pain is being worn incorrectly and it needs to be adjusted.  All those babywearing maytrs who have "suffered" for their children for years before Motrin was even invented must have been tired and crazy!  As long as I look like official mom, I should be okay though.  Because appearance is everything and nobody could ever tell you are a mom unless you have a baby strapped to you.  *eyeroll* 

Before I end this rant...errr...commentary I just want to add that the side effects of Motrin are as listed:

Abdominal cramps or pain, abdominal discomfort, bloating and gas, constipation, diarrhea, dizziness, fluid retention and swelling, headache, heartburn, indigestion, itching, loss of appetite, nausea, nervousness, rash, ringing in ears, stomach pain, vomiting.

So let me see...you insulted me with your ignorant statements, you poke fun at my parenting style, then you offer me all these great side effects?  Where can I sign up?

Gaah!  Motrin...WHAT WERE YOU THINKING?