Babywearing FlashMob

When I was living in Salt Lake City, I helped run the first Breastfeeding Cafe in the Downtown Public Library.  It was always a great opportunity to educate people about breastfeeding, babywearing and general attachment parenting issues.  It was also an opportunity for people to see women breastfeeding (in public!!!) as a normal thing. One of our goals was to promote the normalcy of breastfeeding.  There were always children running around wearing their babies and "nursing" their babies just like their Mamas.

I loved being part of the cafe the two years we were there.  This morning I found out what special event they did at the Cafe this year, a Babywearing Flash Mob!  I have friends in this mob and was so excited to be able to pick them out and find them.

Y'all know how I feel about babywearing. It goes hand in hand with breastfeeding and is one of the best things you can do for your babies.  I mean, come on, who wouldn't love something that allows you to DANCE while loving on your baby???

Be Safe, Not Sorry.

It's been all over the news today, baby slings have been linked to infant death.  This has many parents concerned and I have been asked repeatedly about his today.  Most recently by one of my neighbors.  She is probably my Mom's age, and has made a few slings for her daughters.  She was worried about the slings I had taught her how to make. 

I assured her that those slings were fine.  As you know, I make ring slings.  I have worn all of my babies in ring slings and various other carriers.  As with any product designed for infants, you must exercise caution. When a Mom gets a sling she should know how to use it.  She should always keep her baby's face out of the excess fabric.  The particular slings that have been linked to the infant deaths were the bag-type slings.  Not the pouch slings, but more like bags with elastic and padding around the top.

I worry a bit that this story is going out and people are going to be afraid of wearing their babies and instead will stop wearing their babes and start putting them in the carseat all the time.  That is also not good for our babies for an extended period of time.

So, I want to share some safety points with you.

1. Your baby should never be down below your chest when in a sling.  If you are wearing your newborn and they are down by your belly, that is not safe for them. 
2. Keep your baby upright against your chest. This is the safest way for them to be worn and they will be most comfortable this way.
3. Keep any excess fabric away from your baby's face.  Remember they don't have great neck control in the beginning and can't move away from the fabric if they can't breathe.
4. If your baby is cradled, be sure that their chin is off the chest and that no fabric is around their face.  Clicking on the link above for the pouch sling will show you fantastic pictures of this.
5. If in doubt, ask your favorite sling maker (me!) about your particular carrier. 

Babywearing is fabulous.  It is great for Mom and Baby and just needs to be done correctly.  If you buy a sling online and don't know or are not sure how to use it, ask!  You can either ask the person you bought it from, a friend who knows about babywearing, or go to your local LaLeche League meetings and someone there can show you how to use them.

Don't be afraid, just be careful and enjoy wearing your babe.

Yummy

Yeah I know. Beautiful, yummy, perfect fabric. My Mama brought me these, all on the bolt. Yes, she loves me. And because I love all of you, I will share this bounty with you! Aren't these perfect for slings and dresses?? Head on over to my shop and order yours today!!!

What I'm Wearing (besides the Baby)

My darling friend, Stephanie from Adventures in Babywearing, is hosting a Babywearing Stash Extravaganza. I was going to take pictures of all my slings, wraps and such, but decided instead to find pictures of these in use!

My first sling was a Maya Wrap that my sister-in-law gave to me. I have had 2 Maya Wraps and loved them both.
I love my ring slings for the ease of use and functionality they afford. I no longer have my Maya Wraps (I donated them to SlingCycle), but use a sling of my own design, the Prairie Mama Ring Sling. I love it oh so much, see?


I also use my Ergo on a very regular basis. I have had 2 Ergos in the last 6 years and LOVE them. I use this for doing housework, when Libby is tired and won't sleep, when I need to sew or do yard work. It evenly distributes her weight and is oh so comfy.


And, last but not least is my wrap. I bought 6 yards of crinkle cotton from Walmart and use this as a wrap. I really love it and so have all of my kiddos.


I would love to try a Mei Tai and a real live wrap that people sell. I hear they are more comfy than my crinkle cotton one. I don't know though.

So, that is what I use everyday. Ring Sling, Ergo, and Homemade Wrap. Love them, love wearing my baby and love the hands free parenting that it affords!

Good Grief.

You know, you'd think that a big company like Motrin, would, I don't know do some research before launching a new ad campaign. You'd think that with all the money they have that they would actually put some of it into finding out what their target market is and not piss off the Mommies that they disrespected so.

You don't know what I'm talking about?? Go check it out. Click on that link up top. I'll wait. Thanks to Barb for transcribing the ad.

In case they pull the ad from their front page by the time you’re reading this (I sure hope they trash the entire campaign, and fast), I’m quoting the little video on their website front page, which they call a “Mom-versation“. The phrases in bold are my emphasis, though they have even better emphasis in the graphics in their ad.

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.

Seriously? Seriously?!?! I am just stunned and well, angry. This ad is SO full of misinformation it gives me a headache. -- one that I refuse to use Motrin for.

I am going to just point out a few things.

First and foremost, if your babycarrier is giving you aches and pains, you are wearing it wrong. It should not hurt. It should not be uncomfortable. If it is, get someone to help you!!!!!!! It is much better for your back to wear your baby than it is to lug around a 20 pound carseat. It's better for your baby too. Oh, but wait, Motrin is all about the Mom, not the baby. So, we'll focus on Mom.

Second - if you feel the need to wear something to make you feel like an official Mom...well, you have bigger problems than the supposed aches and pains coming from your carrier of choice.

Third - they say "supposedly it's a real bonding experience" Well, guess what, it is! There is research to back it up.

Fourth - Wearing your baby seems to be in fashion -- oh yes, it is all the rage. Just ask the women in Africa, Asia and South America who have been doing it for MILLENIA. It's all about the fashion -- we are all that vain.

Fifth and final (for now) - any mom who looks tired and crazy does not look that way because she is wearing her baby, it's probably because of her 4 and 2 year old -- wait, maybe that's just me!

Are you offended, upset, irritated, or just have any opinion at all about this?? Let me know. Oh, and let Motrin know too. They really shouldn't mess with Moms.

Yea for Babywearing!

I adore wearing my baby, we've established this, right? Well, how about this? I adore nursing my baby in the sling and being able to eat my dinner at the same time! Yep, I'm a woman of talents, it's true.

The other night, I was trying desperately to eat my dinner and finish before 8:00pm (we started at about 6ish). This doesn't happen very often, as I have children that are wanting more food, less food, throwing food, not eating food, running away from their food, wanting to nurse...you get the idea.

So, when Libby started crying and wanting to nurse, I put on the sling, popped her in and got her nursing. This took care of one of the issues I was having. I was then able to eat my dinner, get Seth or Amelia (or both) more of whatever they are wanting, clean up the water that spilled, and nurse the babe. Oh it was bliss. AND! I finished eating before bedtime!!! WAHOO!!!

Look Ma! No Hands!

LOVE IT!!!!!!!!
Do you??? Go check out my shop and get your own sling!!! I do custom orders, and by Saturday, will have some ready done ones for you to choose from!!!

Ok, you also know I'm a bit of a contest ho...I love the contests!!! Here is one for the babywearers out there!! It's for a Beco Carrier. I've always wanted to try one of these. Thrifty and Chic Mom is giving one away to a lucky, lucky winner. Go check it out!!!

International Babywearing Week

Let's take a journey shall we? It will be fun, I promise. We're going to talk about babywearing!!! See?? FUN!

As many of you know, I wear my babies - a lot. If people see me in public without a baby attached they often will comment that something looks different they just don't know what. It's the baby. I know. I love it!!!

I am going to gush about WHY I wear my babies this week over at The Bee in Your Bonnet. So, today I am going to talk about different carriers, and which is my favorite.

I started wearing my baby almost 6 years ago. My first carrier was a Maya Wrap sling. I loved it. I wore it with all of my children until I started making my own ring slings that I like better ;) I love the versatility of the ring sling. It can be used from the time they are newborn, up until about 40 lbs! Amelia still loves the sling and will ask me quite often to "go for a ride" in it.

I love how easy the sling is. I have one in my house and one in my car. Libby never (ok, 3 times in her little life) goes in the store in her carseat. She rides in it in the car, period. We get places, and I take her out and put her in the sling. I have done this with all my babies. It helps them get used to being moved when they are sleeping (definite plus!), and that way when they wake up in the store -- which they will if left in the carseat-- I will still have my hands free!

It is adjustable, and you can wear all ages of kiddos in it. For newborns, just fold them back up in the fetal position and let them snuggle up against you, smell you, hear you, and breathe you. For older babes, put them in it on your hip. For even older ones, they can ride on your back! See?? I told you, versitle.

Emma and Mom, February 2003

Emma and Mom, March 2003

Emma and Dad, July 4, 2003

Seth and Mom (and Amelia in utero) March, 2006

Mom and Amelia, May 2007

Mom, Seth, Amelia (and Libby in utero) July 2008

Libby and Mom, October 2008

I also love my Ergo Baby Carrier. I got it just a few weeks before Emma died. I would use it to go to the mailbox, and around the house. I also used it, put her on my back, to help my brother and sister-in-law pack up their house. That was the last time I used it before Seth was born. She died the next week. I digress...When Seth was born, I whipped it out and used it to go on a hike when he was 6 weeks old.

Seth and Mom, July 2004

Daddy and Seth, June 2005

I love the Ergo for the comfort and practicality. When I am going to be out for a long time, like hiking, or sight seeing, or something like that, I love it. Often, I would put Seth in it and we would take the train to downtown SLC. It was so nice for that. The picture vabove was taken in Washington D.C. We also used it all through Philadelphia for that trip. I actually don't think I even brought the sling. It's not an in and out baby carrier, like the sling, but it is just so comfortable, for the baby and the wearer.

I also love my wraps. I first learned about wraps when Seth was a baby. A Mom at my LaLeche League meeting was using this really long bit of fabric and wrapping her baby in it. I was instantly drawn to her, it looked so cool!!! I asked her about it, and she informed me that it was just 6 yards of crinkle cotton from Walmart! She pointed me in the direction of MamaToto, and I went to Wally World right after. I got 2 different fabrics, and use them both still!

vKanga, Roo and their Treehouse, October 2004

Kanga, Piglet, Tigger and Roo; October 2006

Apple picking with my 2 week old Libby

Snuggling Libby after a day of cleaning, cooking and loving on my babe.

So, as you may have gathered, I love all of my baby wearing devices. I love them for different reasons. There are so many different carriers out there, I have only scratched the surface. If you want to read more (and I know you do), head over to Stephanie's blog Adventures in Babywearing to read many many many more stories, and about lots of other Moms that wear their babies! She is also running a contest for two different carriers from Nonny and Boo. How great is that??

I will be writing a lot more about babywearing this week. If you have any questions, let me know! I've been doing it for a while, so I bet I can help you! :)