Today Oliver and I went to the Swap Shop with our friend Zura and her two beautiful daughters... It was hot, really hot... babies and mommas were sweating up a storm. We wrapped our babies up in our light cotton gauge wraps and proceeded to go on our treasure hunt around the flea market. Minding our own business and our babies fast asleep in their wraps... out comes a lady telling us that what we are doing (wearing our babies) is dangerous and that the babies can not breath and practically telling us we are going to kill our babies. This woman mind you is from the islands were probably everyone wears their babies one way or another...however we were the bad ones and for the sake of not starting a debate we just smiled and walked away from her. So is baby wearing dangerous? No it is NOT...
Here are some recent pictures from our trip to the laundry mat to do our large items!
The following information comes from Baby Wearing International's Web Site along with my own opinions and comments added in red...
So Is Babywearing Safe?
When done properly, carrying a baby in a soft baby carrier can be safer than carrying a baby in your arms. Your carrier doesn’t have muscles that get tired, and your carrier doesn’t have arms that reflexively reach out to balance you or catch you when you fall (Especially after you workout!). But, as with anything concerning babies, good safety practices (and common sense!) are of paramount importance. This article has many safety tips, but no set of guidelines can anticipate every circumstance. You are responsible for your child’s safety as well as your own. Whatever carrier you choose, learn to use it properly, and always keep safety in mind.
A Few ABSOLUTE RULES
1. Make sure your baby can breathe (or the lady at Swap Shop will have proved her point...lol). Baby carriers allow parents to be hands-free to do other things … but you must always remain active in caring for your child. No baby carrier can ensure that your baby always has an open airway; that’s your job.
a. Never allow a baby to be carried, held, or placed in such a way that his chin is curled against his chest. This rule applies to babies being held in arms, in baby carriers, in infant car seats, or in any other kind of seat or situation. This position can restrict the baby’s ability to breathe. Newborns lack the muscle control to open their airways. They need good back support in carriers so that they don’t slump into the chin-to-chest position.
b. Never allow a baby’s head and face to be covered with fabric. Covering a baby’s head and face can cause her to “rebreathe” the same air, which is a dangerous situation. Also, covering her head and face keeps you from being able to check on her. Always make sure your baby has plenty of airflow. Check on her frequently. (Again common sense factor, I and many other baby wearing mothers do cover their baby's head to protect them from the sun, rain, and annoying people, I do however leave an opening for him to breath and an always aware of what he is doing.)
2. Never jog, run, jump on a trampoline, or do any other activity that subjects your baby to similar shaking or bouncing motion. “This motion can do damage to the baby’s neck, spine and/or brain,” explains the American Chiropractic Association. (Once again the common sense factor can be applied here!)
3. Never use a baby carrier when riding in a car. Soft baby carriers provide none of the protection that car seats provide. (Obviously the safest place for a child is in the car seat...)
4. Use only carriers that are appropriate for your baby’s age and weight. For example, frame backpacks can be useful for hiking with older babies and toddlers but aren’t appropriate for babies who can’t sit unassisted for extended periods. Front packs usually have a weight range of 8 to 20 pounds; smaller babies may slip out of the carrier, and larger babies will almost certainly cause back discomfort for the person using the carrier. (The common sense bandit strikes again...however you can wear a baby under 8 lbs in a wrap, just saying.)
A Few Guidelines for Everyday Safety
1. Inspect your carrier regularly to ensure it is sound. Check the fabric, seams, and any buckles or other fasteners. Do this every time you use it to avoid complacency. Don’t use a carrier unless it is structurally sound.
2. When using carriers out and about, check that your baby is secure by using reflective surfaces – such as car or store windows – as mirrors, by double checking the baby’s position with your hands, or by enlisting the help of another set of eyes. (This is very helpful especially when you first start off...sometimes you think the baby is positioned well and then you look in the mirror and realize they are not. Once you have been baby wearing for sometime you will be able to "feel" if the baby is positioned correctly.)
3. If you shouldn’t do it while pregnant because of an enhanced risk of falls, you shouldn’t do it while carrying a baby. For example, your risk of falling increases when you climb a ladder, ride a horse, ride a bicycle, or go skating. Your risk of falling also increases on slippery surfaces like the ones you encounter when you go bowling, sailing, or spelunking. When a baby is in his mother’s womb, he has built-in protection, but a baby in arms or in a carrier does not have that protection. (Again common sense people! No bull riding while wearing baby, bad mommy!)
4. If you should wear protective gear while doing an activity, you shouldn’t do it while carrying a baby. Baby carriers do not provide hearing protection, eye protection, protection from projectiles such as rocks flung from a lawn mower, protection from fumes or dust such as occur during lawn mowing and some household cleaning tasks, or protection from falls. (Again common sense people! No using a blow torch while wearing baby, bad mommy!)
5. Protect your baby from the elements. Little limbs and heads may need sun protection. Don’t dress your baby too warmly in the summer, and don’t use a baby carrier under circumstances that could cause the baby to suffer heat stress. Don’t let your baby get too cold in the winter. (There are some excellent coats and ponchos designed especially for use with baby carriers, and you can also improvise or make your own.) (Be careful for the top of head too... if you are outdoors for long periods of time put a sun hat on your baby and be mindful of all skin that is exposed!)
6. Be aware of what your baby can reach. In particular, be aware that a baby on your back can reach things you can’t see. (This goes for hands and feet...many things have fallen and broken because of this.)
7. Don’t put loose items in the carrier with your baby that can be choking hazards, that can poke your baby, or that can cover your baby’s face. (If your baby needs something to play with put on a nursing necklace or equivalent.)
8. Other Things to Consider: Carrying a baby in arms or in a carrier is a task for a responsible adult who can assess risk in a mature way. Here are some things to consider about specific activities.
Cooking. Carrying a baby while cooking subjects the baby to an enhanced risk of burns. A baby in arms or in a carrier is at stovetop height, and burns can occur. Reaching into a hot oven while carrying a baby similarly puts the baby at risk for burns. (The whole reason for a carrier is for freedom for mom to do things, and the most important thing for a mom to do is EAT. All carriers tell you not to cook while baby wearing. However most moms do cook with the baby on them. Obviously you should be aware of your baby to make sure they don't burn themselves... i never turn the baby towards the stove, I always approach the stove from the side and don't cook things that can "spit".)
Boating. While it might seem more secure to use a baby carrier to board a small boat than to carry a baby in arms, the safer practice is to have the baby wear a personal flotation device. Personal flotation devices are generally not compatible with baby carriers. Moreover, if you fell into the water, having your baby securely held to your body by a baby carrier would be a grave danger. ( I don't own a boat or have access to one regularly, so not sure about this one... but I am sure if you have a nice big boat wearing a baby is not a problem unless you get thrown off.)
Safety Guidelines for Learning New Carries
Most people easily learn front or hip carries, but when learning these carries you should still support your baby with your arm until you are confident that your baby is securely held in the carrier. Back carries are more challenging, but the reward is tremendous liberation and, for heavier babies and toddlers, greater comfort for the person carrying the child. These guidelines apply to all carries but are particularly important when learning back carries:
1. Practice with a doll or teddy first. Understanding the instructions with your mind is just the first step; your body needs to understand them as well. Doing a few “dry runs” will help you build the muscle memory for doing a particular carry. ( I never did this step...but I can see how for some people this is a MUST.)
2. It is best to try a new carry with your baby when you are both well rested and generally content. (Later on when you are a pro, putting them in can help calm you and the baby.)
3. Use a spotter … but only another adult who accepts the responsibility of keeping your baby from falling. The spotter must be able to catch the baby at any instant if he or she should start to fall. (This is very important while trying to back carry!)
4. Use a mirror.
5. Start low. Most carries can be accomplished while sitting on the floor. As you build muscle memory and confidence, you can move up, next lifting your baby onto your body from a bed or chair. (I never started sitting on the floor, but definitely start in a place where is the baby falls it will be safe, like a bed.)
Make sure you feel confident with your carrier. Find one that you can use with peace of mind.
If you don't trust it, don't use it!
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| Daddy snapped a picture while we were trying to tackle a back carry. |
Some extra stuff to keep in mind that the article does NOT mention...
(1) When baby wearing be aware of doorways, furniture and things that are in your close proximity. Even if you are just carrying your baby in your arms. Every mom has banged her baby against something on accident by not being aware of your surroundings. So make sure you give yourself enough room to maneuver through doorways and around furniture...and be extra careful in new environment.
(2) When bending over to pick something up always put one hand behind you baby's head! Other wise your baby's head and hit the floor or even fall out!
(3) When eating while baby wearing for the first time you will realize you need a bid for their head... I would recommend you but a napkin or hat on the baby while you eat...especially if the food is hot. Otherwise your baby will have a head full of food and burns if you are not careful...the food could easily fin its way in the baby's eyes and ears as well... just be mindful and eat carefully in these situations!
(4) Do not fall asleep with your baby in the wrap! I shouldn't have to explain why.
(5) Do not wear a baby while intoxicated!
(6) In my opinion, front carries are safer than back carries because you can see your child at all times. I don't feel comfortable with my baby on my back...maybe when he is a toddler it will be different.
(7) Always use common sense and BE AWARE of your baby and your surroundings...Just like you guarded your belly during pregnancy... the same apprehension and protection should be applied why baby wearing.
So to the worried woman who obviously had a bad experience with baby wearing or lacks the information behind it...our babies are and will be safe on US. Confidence, knowledge and common sense on any matter is key.
