Please remember Safety is paramount......

when Babywearing. That is why I am posting these safety tips, with thanks from the DC Metro Babywearing group in the US who put it together.


*When learning to use any new carrier it is best to have another adult “spot” you in case you need assistance. Practicing over a soft surface like a padded mat or bed can help, too!

*Baby should be well fed, well rested, and have a clean nappy before practicing….you will be more successful in ensuring a safe and secure babywearing experience for you both!

*Baby’s position and posture in a sling should mimic holding baby in your arms. A high, snug carry that places baby over your center of gravity will help ensure that baby doesn’t slip and the caregiver’s back will benefit.

*The principles of healthy back positioning and posture apply even moreso when you are wearing baby. As always, to protect caregiver’s back, keep load (i.e. baby) close to you and when you must lift something, bend only with your knees and not your back. It is probably not a good idea to wear high heels for an extended period while wearing baby in a carrier.

*Use all your senses to constantly monitor baby. Look at baby for proper positioning. Listen often to monitor airflow. Feel and touch baby’s skin to gauge the temperature and tone. Avoid “chin to chest” posture of baby, as it can obstruct the airway. Mirrors, car windows, and other reflective surfaces can be very helpful in monitoring baby.

*Take extra precaution with respect to your personal space when babywearing. Avoid tight fits around door frames, sharp corners, revolving doors, automatic doors (like on public transportation) and other tight spaces. Remember that you are bigger when baby is attached to you, just like in pregnancy.

*SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) can happen anywhere, even in baby carriers. Thus, it is important to incorporate SIDS safety tips everywhere. Do not put soft bedding items, toys, etc in the area of the baby carrier with your child, as it could pose a potential suffocation hazard. Avoid smoking with a baby in the home. Make sure nothing is covering baby’s face. Avoid over bundling them in clothing. Remember that when wearing baby, your own body heat is added to theirs. A single layer of clothing may be all you need for you and baby.

*Babies love skin to skin contact and some experts think that it can regulate baby’s temperature and other natural responses. Therefore, you may want to choose thin layers of breathable materials and avoid excessive padding in your clothes and your choice of baby carrier. Never use any accessory that has not been specifically tested and approved for your type of carrier

*Some common activities are made more dangerous when wearing a baby in a carrier. Cooking near hot stoves, cleaning with harsh chemicals and jogging come to mind. You may want to avoid these activities when babywearing.

*Always inspect carrier before use for loose seams and other signs of wear. Replace a carrier with any sign of wear that may be dangerous.

Earthy Rainbow

We *heart* Earthy Rainbow!

September Sling meet

We will be meeting in Victoria Park close toPortsmouth town centre on Friday 14th September 2007,10-12am near to the Children's play area. Babies,toddlers, and partners are all, of course, welcome.

We will be bringing the sling library with us, so if you want to borrow any slings, you may do so. We do ask for a deposit of £25 plus a charge of £5 per month, per sling. All the money will be used to purchase more slings for the group.

Hope to see you all there.

First Sling Meet

Thanks to those that attended and made it a success. I really had a lovely (but tiring) morning. Sally and I are still learning the art of babywearing ourselves, so thanks for your patience and thanks to all of you who kept an eye on Ava for me. Between us, and the resources we've got, I hope you can find your perfect carrier/sling.

I hope you can attend our next meeting on the 14th of September, same time and place. At the next meeting we will begin to loan out carriers, so please e-mail me if you need the library rules.

Q&A with Shani from Slingjax

Here's my Q&A session with Shani, a WAHM who owns and runs Slingjax. She tells us about her personal babywearing experiences and how it inspired her to turn it into a business.

E: What was your first Babywearing experience?

S: Years ago I saw an African lady wearing her baby on her back on TV. I wanted to do the same with my baby. I tried with a piece of cloth but I had no idea what I was doing so gave up. Later when I had my son I searched the Internet and stumbled across the world of babywearing and attachment parenting.

E: What do you think are the best things about Babywearing?

S: There are so many benefits to wearing your baby but for me the first thing was how wonderful it felt to be able to keep my son close to me. I had suffered terribly with SPD during and after pregnancy. This resulted in me being unable to walk with out the aid of crutches. With the aid of a stretchy wrap, I was able to hold my baby close to me and still use my crutches.

E: What are your favourite slings at the moment and why?

S: I use a variety of slings each day depending on what I am doing. I live in London and find it very easy to jump on the underground with my baby in a mei tai. If I am just popping from the car into say the bank or post office, then I will use a ring sling or pouch. For sleepy time around the house I tend to reach for a woven wrap and 'wear baby down to sleep' in a back carry.

E: How did your Babywearing evolve into a Business?

S: I started with the hire shop, lending slings to local mothers and it basically grew from there.

E: Does Babywearing make balancing a busy work and family life easier?

S: Without question. I have four children and three businesses. It would be almost impossible to do so many things and still 'be there' for my baby if I didn't wear him. He knows that whatever I am doing there is always a place for him with me. As I go about my daily business, I try to take him with me as much as possible. I once wore him to a meeting with the bank manager!

E: What do you see in the future for babywearing in the UK?

S: Babywearing is getting more and more popular here in the UK but there is still a long way to go. The word is spreading though and I am encouraged by the many emails and letters I get from people who tell me how their new sling has changed their lives. I look forward to a time when babies in slings are common place and hope this is sooner rather than later.

E: What is the most rewarding part of your job?

S: The best part for me is knowing that every sling I send out is going off to hold a baby close to it's mother, father or carer. I also love it when I am walking along the street and notice a baby being slung in one of my slings and this is happening a lot more recently.

CatBird Baby Mei Tai.....

arrived yesterday. It is beautiful, soft and comfy. Here are the pictures;

First Slingmeet August 2007

We will be meeting in Victoria Park close to Portsmouth town centre on Friday 10th August 2007, 10-12am near to the Children's play area. Babies, toddlers, and partners are all, of course, welcome. There will also be a cloth nappy demo for anyone interested.

For those that are interested, need directions, contents of sling library of any other questions please feel free to e-mail me.

Hope to see you all there!