Saturday, July 26, 2008

Correct positioning and concerns about bag slings

If you own, know someone who owns or are considering buying a bag sling like those sold at most of the major retailers around town please read the articles posted here by M'Liss Stelzer (a well respected and published babywearing educator, mother and former RN).

This is a fabulous resource addressing the risks of oxygen deprivation and respitory distress due to incorrect positioning in these types of carriers.

Thank you M'Liss for researching this and making the information available to everyone.

How did I become THAT mama?

Yes, that was me. The one who approached you at the mall and started talking to you about slings and babywearing and groups and safety and...and... No, you don't know me. I know. It's weird. But really, I'm not crazy. At least not in a bad way :)

So, how did I turn into that mama? Up until I had my son and found real carrier love (I loved wearing my daughter too, but not the carriers) I was the most shy person you'd ever not-notice. I would never approach a total stranger - let alone to comment on their baby carrier or *gasp* offer unsolicited advice. I would sit back and watch, listen and do nothing. But now, now I'm just so excited about this great world of babywearing, all the choices, all the fun...and occasionally I may just offer a little unsolicited advice because your carrier isn't working quite right for you and your little one's safety may be at risk. I've been able to find something that has allowed me to enjoy some of the greatest snuggles with my little guy while taking part in everything my big girl is up to. It makes me happy. And now, I have something to say that moves me enough to come out of my shell and say it...even if I don't know you (yet). That's how I became that mama.

If I've met you out and about and referred you here..."HI!" Here I am. Please feel free to look around, check out the links to the local and online groups and I hope I can help you enjoy all your future babywearing days.

Now if I can just get around to getting some business cards printed you might believe me!

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

What's on your wish list??

All right everyone, time to let me know what I can do for you. I thought about creating a poll so you could vote for your favorite carriers, but there are so many choices that I'd be spending days making the list...and then I'd still surely miss something wonderful that someone is dying to try.

Sooooooo...which carrier(s) would you like to see in the library? Please leave a comment with your wishlist and I will do my best to find someone to donate them to our lovely library.

Vendors and sling makers may be watching, so let them know you love them and want to fall in love with their lovely items in person!

*If your favorite fluffy is a sized carrier (comes in different sizes), please let me know what your ideal size would be. That way I can aim for something that will suit the largest number of wearers.

Monday, May 12, 2008

Babywearing at Source Yoga in Tacoma

A special Thank You to Source Yoga in Tacoma for hosting our babywearing class today. We had a wonderful time working with all the mamas and their little yogis and yoginis!

I look forward to meeting you all again in the future :)

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Welcome to The Sling Lending Library

The Sling Lending Library is a local community service available to anyone interested in learning about babywearing, trying a variety of carriers and finding that babywearing love.

A little more about me: I am located in Auburn, WA and would be happy to meet with you to offer any help I can with your babywearing needs. I have worn both my little ones - the first out of her need to be physically attached at all times and the second out of his want to be worn and my need to care for both of them without breaking my back. Seven years ago, I tried a ring sling that I found in a local consignment shop with my daughter. She hated it! I, of course, had no idea how to use it, no instructions came with it and there was no one I knew who knew how to use a sling. I wore her in a Baby Bjorn for the next 15-18 months - until her feet bounced off my knees when we walked. When she was 2 and still desperate to be held all of the time, I went to a local parenting group and was told by the guest speaker, a sling "expert", that there was no carrier that would fit us - a "fluffy" (plus size) mama and a toddler. That was the sad end to our babywearing time.

Five years later, I found The Babywearer (see links) and burried myself in an avalanche of information on more carriers (and more acronyms) than I could have ever dreamed of. There are so many fabulous carriers out there, made by some fabulous businesses (mostly WAHMs, btw) that there probably really is carrier for every babywearing pair out there. I have been wearing my son for over 2 years now and at 34 lbs., we're still happily babywearing in our favorite carriers. I have experience with pouches, ring slings, Mei Tais, wraps, Soft Structured Carriers (SSCs), and other Asian Baby Carriers (ABCs).

While I haven't tried every brand of carrier on the market, we have been through several brands in each style to find what works for us. And, although I have my personal favorites, my goal is to work with you to help you find what works for you. If I don't have it, I will try to find it for you - either as a new library carrier or through another babywearing mama or group who is willing to share. If I don't know the answer to your question, I will find the answer or direct you to another reliable source. I have no vested interest in which carrier you end up with. I simply want to help you enjoy all of the benefits of babywearing that we have found.

All babywearers are not created equal. Because I am "fluffy" I was told that there were no carriers that would fit me. This is NOT true. Carriers come in all different shapes, sizes, cuts and styles - just like babywearers. Carriers can be custom made and custom fit for little or no additional cost in many cases. One thing that I really want to accomplish with this library is to make sure that loving parents (and caregivers) of all sizes know that babywearing is a loving and available option for them.

off my soapbox, back to the library...

This library works very much like any library. You are welcome to check out carriers for a two week period (in most cases) to get a real life feel for how it will work for you and your little one. I am available to help you with any questions or concerns about types of carriers, fit, proper use and care or which color looks best with your little one's eyes. I do charge a small annual fee which will be used to cover the costs of printed materials, any cleaning or carrier care incidentals and the purchase of any carriers or accessories that were not available to be donated. I also require a refundable deposit for the replacement value of the carrier. ...talk to me for details...

All of the beautiful carriers have been donated by their generous designers, manufacturers or retailers, so once you find that perfect carrier (we'll call it your "gateway carrier" ... you'll see why soon:)) please use the links on this site to shop their full selections and show them your appreciation for donating to the library.

Welcome to the wonderful world of babywearing. Happy slinging!