Monday, October 4, 2010

Brace Yourself!

I'm copying this from The Babywearer and the original post can be seen here as well as on their FB page.

I'm sure you can imagine how upset I am. I don't really have much more to add as my thoughts just sound like this in my head: ARRRRRGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!! REALLY???? UUGUHHHHHHHHH!!!

And, if this isn't enough for you, I'll add a few interesting quotes from the comments and responses to the original posts.

From Krisi Hayes-Devlin (owner of Wrapsody by GypsyMama and a founding member of the BCIA) in response to some questions:

"It is unclear whether SSCs will be impacted. One concern the CPSC has is babies in contact with mother's bodies, so possibly."

Yup, you read that right. They're concerned about babies being in contact with mother's bodies! The safest place on earth for a baby to be and the want to regulate it away!

"Why isn't the BCIA releasing more details?

Answer: Most importantly, the company at issue has not wanted full details released publicly. We are working hard to stop or at least delay this recall. It is unjust and unwarranted and makes a farce of the recall process. If we can stop it, we do not want to have created public problems for the company in question. We are acting on the company's wishes as well as legal and PR advice from experts. "

And from TBW on their FB page: "TheBabywearer.com The real "proof" will unfortunately come with the verbiage of the impending recall. If we wait for that, it may be too late to do any good."


Brace Yourself!
Dear Babywearing Enthusiast:


It is time to BRACE YOURSELF!

A recall of a major baby carrier is being forced through this week. We want you to understand how this has been handled and to appreciate the immediacy of the problem!

•Company was informed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that, after several years, a closed investigation of their product was being reopened.
•Company was told by the CPSC to issue a recall of every product back more than ten years, and to discontinue sales, while admitting that there is no product flaw.
•Company stopped all sales, with the intention of clearing up the matter and reopening shortly.
•Company asked for the Health and Science report that the CPSC later claimed to have, indicating the need for a recall.
•CPSC has NEVER complied; inside word is that there is NOT a Health and Science report.
•Company was sent two draft press releases and asked to voluntarily recall their product or the CPSC would issue a unilateral recall (a forced recall) which included inflammatory language as well as a threat to pursue action against entire class of baby sling products.
•Company held fast, knowing that the product is safe and a benefit to babies and stated they would be willing to work with the CPSC on a public education campaign about sling safety.
•CPSC asked for Company’s financials.
•Company complied.
•CPSC said to company 'You are no longer in business, we don’t need your cooperation in order to recall! Prepare to DESTROY all product next week!'

Next week is International Babywearing week!
PLEASE NOTE: *THIS IS AFTER THE CPSC FORCED COMPANY TO STOP SELLING!

The CPSC has overstepped their bounds, and are bullying small, family businesses who make safe products!


This is only the beginning, according to the CPSC’s own words they want to eradicate the whole class of product!


A line has been drawn in the sand! Will you help fight the good fight with us? If you care that these products are available to you, to babies, to families across our country, ACT NOW!


If you are represented by any one of these legislators, please call and write to them NOW, before this recall happens. We are asking just a few simple things:


1. Stop all recall actions against baby sling companies until
2. We can finalize the ASTM voluntary sling standards (scheduled for November) and
3. Force the CPSC to follow their own internal procedures, stop using bullying tactics, and use sound science.


SENATE: Mark Pryor – Chairman, AR (202) 224-2353
Byron L. Dorgan, ND (202) 224-2551
Barbara Boxer, CA (202) 224-3553
Bill Nelson, FL (202) 224-5274
Claire McCaskill, MO (202) 224-6154
Amy Klobuchar, MN (202) 224-3244
Tom Udall, NM (202) 224-5941
Roger Wicker – Ranking Member, MS (202) 224-6253
Olympia J. Snowe, ME (202) 224-5344
Jim DeMint, SC (202) 224-6121
John Thune, SD (202) 224-2321
Johnny Isakson, GA (202) 224-3643
David Vitter, LA (202) 224-4623


HOUSE: Bobby L. Rush, IL, Chairman 202-225-4372; 773-224-6500
Jan Schakowsky, IL, Vice Chair 202-225-2111; 773-506-7100
Ed Whitfield, KY, Ranking Member 202-225-3115; 270-885-8079
John P. Sarbanes, MD 202-225-4016; 410-832-8890
George Radanovich, CA 202-225-4540; 559-449-2490
Betty Sutton, OH 202-225-2266; 330-865-8450
Cliff Stearns, FL 202-225-5744; 352-351-8777
Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ 202-225-4671; 732-571-1140
Joseph R. Pitts, PA 202-225-2411; 717-303-0667
Bart Gordon, TN 202-225-4231; 615-896-1986
Mary Bono Mack, CA 202-225-5330; 760-320-1076
Bart Stupak, MI 202-225-4735; 231-348-0657
Lee Terry, NE 202-225-4155; 402-397-9944
Gene Green, TX 202-225-1688; 281-999-5879
Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC 202-225-1976; 704-362-1060
Charles A. Gonzalez, TX 202-225-3236; 210-472-6195
Tim Murphy, PA 202-225-2301; 412-344-5583
Anthony D. Weiner, NY 202-225-6616; 718-520-9001
Phil Gingrey, GA 202-225-2931; 770-429-1776
Jim Matheson, UT 202-225-3011; 801-486-1236
Steve Scalise, LA 202-225-3015; 504-837-1259
G. K. Butterfield, NC 202-225-3101; 252-237-9816
Robert E. Latta, OH 202-225-6405; 419-668-0206
John Barrow, GA 202-225-2823; 912-354-7282
Joe Barton, TX 202-225-2002; 817-543-1000


Sunday, October 3, 2010

Why I do what I do

Apparently it's been over 2 years since I started this blog. I have no idea how that happened. Father Time did not ask my permission for time to move on or my babies to become big kids.

Way back when, I posted an introduction to my babywearing journey here . For me, it was like yesterday. My first baby is now 9 1/2 - a bright, loving, wonderful, maddening girl who loves animals and will nurse and wear her babies as naturally as she will breathe. My second baby is 4 1/2 now - a strong, smart, snuggly, kissy boy who likes the color pink, Star Wars and anything he can "sword" you with. He wears his babies and wants to be just like his sister.

A little later in my journey, I posted this about how babywearing has changed me. It's given me a reason to come out of my shell. It's changed my life to such a degree that even though I don't have any more babies to wear (unless a certain big boy gives in for a short ride with his nostalgic mama or someone invents a way to comfortably carry a 9 1/2 year old) I'm still continuing on my babywearing journey. I've taken the Babywearing Institute's Beginner and Advanced courses and will soon be a Certified Babywearing Educator. I may even go a step further and become a teacher's teacher - creating more Certified Babywearing Educators to spread the babywearing love.

I'm continuing on my babywearing journey because babywearing holds such an important place in my heart. I want mamas to follow their instincts to wear their babies. I want wearing your baby to be as normal to everyone as kissing their warm, soft cheeks. I want you to know how to wear your little ones safely, comfortably, practically. I want you to have access to good, accurate information - and find it more easily than I did. I want my babies to wear their babies because...well, that's just what parents do. I want them to have access to wonderful, soft, squishy, safe slings and wraps and Mei Tais.

And now, at this point in my babywearing journey, I'm writing posts and making calls; writing emails and sending letters to make sure that these things will even be a possibility. You've seen my posts (and those of many others, I'm sure) about some vague and cryptic threats to our babywearing futures - to our choices in carriers - to our rights as parents to wear our babies. What's the big deal lately? Well, the specifics will come in the next week or so - the specifics being the name of the business currently affected as well as the details of how they were put in this position. But, the generalities are these (and I'll post these because they've been posted elsewhere by others): In the next few days you'll hear of another sling being recalled courtesy of the CPSC (the same folks who just saved your lives by recalling 10 MILLION toys because 7 kids got stitches). I don't know what the news will say about the sling or about the reason for the recall but I hope you come back here to find out what really happened. What I do know is that most of the parents out there won't find out the truth without searching for it...and that's wrong. I can tell you that the sling and slingmaker aren't at fault or faulty. There's no basis for the CPSC to recall this product. Babywearing is safe.

Your first good sling is often referred to as your "gateway carrier"...the one that get's you hooked, the one that opens the door to the world of babywearing. What I (and many others) fear is that this recall is the "gateway carrier" for many more (unjustified) recalls in our future - for reasons that will be commented on down the road. As someone in an online forum offered when speculating on which company is being affected, 'a Hotsling is just like a Peanut Shell' which is just like a...If it affects one pouch, it can affect them all. If it affects one ring sling, it can affect them all...and mei tais...and wraps...and... I'm all for conspiracy theories but, once the facts are available, you'll find this one is less theory and more conspiracy.

OK...this is leading to the beginnings of a rant and I've been so good so far :)...only one snarky bit.

I do what I do because I want all parents to have the knowledge to look at a sling or wrap or mei tai or SSC and make an informed decision and say "Yes, that one will hold my baby in a safe position and I know how to use it". So, I learn and I teach. Everyone from parents to lawmakers to goverment agencies to commercial giants has a lot to learn on this subject. There needs to be some logic employed and some resposibility taken. Maybe if their parents had worn them, certain decision makers would be able to make better decisions...

Babywearing is Natural

I have a lot to say this weekend. I have several posts partially written because I just have so much I want to say in the face of some news and conversations about babywearing I've been part of this weekend.

This one I can write easily. It's so clear to me, so obvious - as it is to most babywearing parents, it seems. But there's always that nagging of old "wisdom"...or old in-laws. Are we going to spoil them by holding them all the time? By picking them up every time they cry? Will they ever learn to walk if we carry them in these "things" all the time?

Here's your ammo - your support to prove you are right...you do know what's best for your baby!

Human babies are designed to be attached to a parent (primarily mama who has the food, but daddy is critical too). We are born with a natural reflex to grasp onto our mamas, we naturally raise our legs into the ideal position for hip/spine development when picked up - the same position that is ideal for being carried on mama's hip. Human babies require an additional 9-12 months of additional time to fully develop their brains, senses and bodies AFTER birth. Humans are not designed to be "complete" and independent at birth the way other mammals are (like a calf who's up and around on his own feet shortly after birth, can regulate his body temperature, escape predators and go to mama for food). We can't walk. We can't see well. We have no concept of object permanance - if we're not touching you, we don't know you're there. We feel abandoned and know we're in danger.

Human babies need to be nursed on demand, always carried along for safety - a baby left alone is at risk and signals their needs and fears with cries. Babies only have one way to communicate a need and need us to respond immediately to meet those needs - including providing security, comfort and warmth.

Babywearing meets all of these needs and many more.

Babies who are worn feel secure. They become independent and confident children. Human babies require touch to thrive.

Babies who are worn have constant and immediate interaction with an adult. They can read your face and learn communication skills earlier, are expressive, sensitive, empathetic, curious, engaged, sociable.

Babies who are worn experience natural human movement. Their muscular and skeletal systems are strengthened with every movement of the parent. When worn in a correct spread-squat position, their hips and spines are able to develop securely. They will walk and run and be more sure-footed than the kids who learned "movement" in a battery powered swing.

Babies who are worn sleep deeper, regulate their heart and breathing rates better, gain weight faster.

So, take a deep breath. Remind yourself that you do, in fact, know your baby best and know what's best for your baby.

Have those nagging voices read the BCIA's position paper and point out all of the doctors who agree with you! Point out all of the scientific research that supports babywearing as a NEED. If they're up for entire books, offer them Ashley Montagu's Touching, the Human Significance of the Skin and Jean Liedloff's The Continuum Concept. If they read German, give them Eveline Kirkilionis' Ein Baby will getragen sein and Bindun staerkt.

No Such Thing as Too Much Love: 'Spoiled' Babies Grow Up to Be Smarter, Kinder Kids

It's wonderful to find support in print for what I know in my heart. If you have someone in your life who has said to you "You're going to spoil them if you keep carrying them in that 'thing'." Here's just one study you can show them to prove that meeting a baby's needs is not going to spoil them. Touch, movement, connection, interaction, immediate response are needs and requirements for healthy kids who become healthy adults. Babywearing does it all!

Read the article: No Such Thing as Too Much Love: 'Spoiled' Babies Grow Up to Be Smarter, Kinder Kids

Monday, August 9, 2010

Big names closing thier doors

Both Hotslings, Inc. and Rockin' Baby Slings are closing their doors due to the current environment and issues with the CPSC recalls (not of their products) and statements.

Unfortunately, they will not be the last familiar names or industry leaders who's slings and carriers we are losing.

You can read the BCIA press release and tribute to Hotslings founder (and BCIA board member) Kristen DeRocha here.

Tuesday, August 3, 2010

Babywearing is in Danger!

Babywearing is in danger. Your right choose the type of baby carrier you want to use is in jeopardy.

When I saw the recall of the Infantino bag "sling" I did a silent cheer. Mamas and business women in the babywearing world had been researching and talking about the problems with these carriers for several years and it seemed that someone "up there" finally listened. Then there was the recall of the small batch of slings from a WAHM I posted about but didn't really have much info on - they looked OK from the picture and I never really found anything online that implicated the product in the death. But, the slings were still recalled.

Now we face a much bigger problem that could affect us all: The recalls threaten to keep going with all carriers that the baby can go below the "rim". That means all the carriers we know and love. All the carriers sold outside the big box stores. All the wonderful carriers and slings that give us so many sweet times with our little ones. All the great, simple pieces of cloth that hold baby close in a safe and healthy way. At least one well known, well loved and respected sling business has already been affected and more are at risk.

The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance has been formed to "advance the well-being, growth, and interests of baby carrier manufacturers, importers, distributors, retailers, and educators. It does so through advocacy, public relations, information sharing, industry research, and business development assistance conducted with appreciation for the needs of parents, caregivers, and children." They are currently working hard to create a voluntary standard for slings with the ASTM and stop the recalls and they need our support to make it happen.

Please visit the BCIA site and make a donation to help everyone that's working so hard to save our slings.

** If I've helped you in any way with my lending library, if you've found helpful info on The Babywearer, if you've gotten an extra snuggle or kiss because of your sling, wrap or carrier, please support the BCIA's efforts to keep babywearing safe. Any amount will help fund their very expensive efforts.

Happy Babywearing!

Tuesday, July 6, 2010

Ergo Sport is now in the library!

Thanks to the wondreful folks at Ergo Baby Carrier, I just added an Ergo Sport to the lending library! It's much softer and lighter weight than the original Ergo and will be great for the warmer weather that may finally be on it's way (finger's crossed!). It also has longer straps making it a more comfy fit for us fluffy mamas while still being able to adjust down to fit smaller parents too.

I did a quick test run with my 4 year old, nearly 50 lb. son (in a front carry just for fun) when it got here. It was still amazingly comfy for as long as he'd participate and I think I finally figured out the secret to getting that chest clip closed on my back when I'm no longer that flexible - wait until the LO isn't so little and can just reach behind you and do it for you! :)

Ergo was also kind enough to send a waist extender and their H2H infant insert - I like this one much better for positioning a newborn in their carrier!

Happy Babywearing!

Saturday, June 19, 2010

Great article on babywearing safety

This was written by Jan Andrea (Sleeping Baby Productions) at the 2010 International Babywearing Conference to summarize information presented by babywearing advocate and RN, M'Liss Steltzer. A printable version of the complete article can be found here.

Because the information is so extensive and critically important, I'm going to post the entire article here. Please note the information on the problems of overuse of infant car seats outside the car and all the problems they present (far more than carrying a baby in a quality fabric carrier).



Newborn and infant safety
Jan Andrea Heirtzler
sleeping baby productions


Key points:

• Car seats are for use to secure an infant when riding in a car. They are less safe than a baby carrier when used outside their intended purpose as car safety devices.

• Infants are safer in their caregivers' arms than left in a device (car seat, stroller, bouncy seat, crib,swing, etc.).

• Carriers that offer correct positioning are far safer than ones that promote incorrect positioning (i.e.forcing the baby's chin to his chest or awkward reclining holds).

• It is vital that caregivers be aware of their infant's breathing at all times.

It's okay to wake the baby to take him out of the car seat. Deep sleep is a dangerous time for infants; SIDS invariably occurs during deep sleep, and other breathing difficulties are also a greater risk during deep sleep.

• Infants should always be visible and kissable in a carrier.

• Any carrier should hold the baby the way you would hold the baby in arms.

In the last 15 years, much has been learned about keeping newborns and infants under 4 months safe. The “back to sleep” campaign is responsible for a considerable reduction in SIDS and related deaths, for example. However, there is a great deal of research into infant physiology that still has not filtered into either popular knowledge or product design.

In 1995, a study was done on infants’ oxygenation levels in their car seats. Normal oxygenation levels – that is, the amount of oxygen circulating in the blood stream attached to red blood cells – range between 97-99% in a healthy term infant in optimal positioning. Any oxygenation level below about 90% is considered “hypoxia” –
the baby is not receiving enough oxygen, and brain damage can result if that level is sustained. Shockingly,healthy, full-term newborns placed in correctly positioned car seats had oxygen levels that went as low as 83.7%. In the hospital, such levels would bring teams of nurses scrambling to the infant’s rescue. While not all infants’ oxygenation levels reached such depths, there was a consistent finding that the longer the baby spent in the car seat, the lower their oxygen levels would go, until the baby was removed from the seat.

The study was repeated in 2005, with the same results. The conclusion in both studies was that babies shoulds pend the least amount of time possible in a car seat, and they recommended that car trips with new babies be kept to an hour or less, and that infant car seats be used only in the car, and not beyond that. And yet,these studies and others like them have gone almost completely unnoticed in the United States and Canada,and it’s not uncommon to see infants in car seats for hours on end, being moved from the car to a travel system to home without ever being removed from the seat. How much damage is being done to these infants while they seem to sleep so peacefully?

Hypoxia is known to cause damage to the developing brain. Infants who experience hypoxia will show more signs of ADHD, decreased IQ, delayed motor development, and impaired attention. If these conditions sound familiar, perhaps we are beginning to understand why, as more and more children spend their infancies in some form of baby seat, reclined and in a hypoxic state.

In addition to the hypoxia seen in healthy, full-term newborns, there is also a risk due to positional asphyxia. This unfortunately is not an uncommon cause of death in infant car seats. A newborn baby’s head is very heavy, and its neck is quite fragile in comparison. Newborns, especially but not exclusively those born prematurely or with respiratory issues, are prone to having their heads tip forward onto their chests,drastically narrowing the airway (which is about the width of a drinking straw) and blocking proper flow of air. This can cause hypoxia and even death, and is a risk in any baby containment device that places the infant in a seated position, including (but not limited to) car seats, baby swings, bouncy seats, and yes, even cloth slings,if the parent doesn’t follow positioning guidelines.

So, what do we do about this?

Knowledge is key.

Every parent and caregiver *must* be aware of their baby’s position and breathing at all times. Let me repeat that. Every parent and caregiver must be aware of their baby’s position and breathing at all times. Whether the baby is in a car seat, a sling, or even in the caregiver’s arms, he or she must keep an eye on the baby’s respiration and positioning. (This does mean that if you have a newborn and you must take a long car trip, it is best for one caregiver to sit in the back with the baby whenever possible, and stop frequently to allow the baby to recover from hypoxic episodes, which grow more severe and numerous the longer the infant is in the
seat.)

In a carrier, an upright, chest-to-chest position is best with newborns and infants under 4 months. In this position, the baby is aware of the caregiver's breathing patterns and vice-versa. (Human infants are programmed to take breathing cues from their parents, and often an abnormal breathing pattern is noticed subconsciously by the parent, who then rubs the baby's back, bounces, or sways, all of which will help reorganize the baby's breathing.) The caregiver is able to keep the infant's head in an optimal position, usually turned to one side, and this position is one that adults often adopt when holding a newborn without a carrier -- always a good sign that the position is a physiologically healthy one.

When a carrier is used to recline an infant in what we consider a cradle hold, it is vitally important that the baby's head still be in easy view of the parent, and close enough to kiss. The baby's neck should be straight down to his pelvis, and while it is okay for the spine and legs to curve gently (because infants are naturally curled up), it should never be at a more extreme angle than one would see with the baby held in arms. In any carrier, a good test of whether it is correctly positioned is to bring one's arms up around the baby in the carrier as though it weren't there. If there is significant movement, then the carrier needs to be adjusted so that they mimic an in-arms position as much as possible.

It should be clear by now that "bag sling" style carriers (those with a hard bottom, and curved and elasticized tops) are never a good choice for carrying a newborn. The flat bottom tends to allow the infant to roll towards the parent (and this can occur even with an internal harness), creating a risk of suffocation, while the shape of the carrier forces the infant's head onto his chest. In addition, the closed top keeps the baby from being seen,so that if hypoxia does occur, the parent misses the signs, often until it's too late, and because the baby is so deep in the carrier, he is also at an increased risk of rebreathing carbon dioxide. The "bag sling" is really a perfect storm of hypoxia causes, and it should come as no surprise that the majority of "sling" deaths have occurred in this style of carrier.

Other safety considerations in baby carriers:

Any item that is made of fabric and that is used regularly is going to wear out some day, whether it's a favorite toy, blankie, cloth diaper, or carrier. This is also true of cloth baby carriers; there is no magic in a fabric when it's made into a carrier that keeps it from wearing out with use. All fabrics take a beating when they are weight-bearing, and when they are washed and dried repeatedly, the fibers will start to break down with time. For thick and sturdy fabrics, this may take years of heavy use, but for fabrics that are appropriate for slings and wraps, it make take less time, because the fiber threads tend to be thinner.

When using a sling, whether it's brand-new or a hand-me-down, please be sure to look over the entire length on a regular basis (such as after it's been washed and dried, or before you thread or put it on) to check for weak spots in the fabric. This would include areas where the fabric is pilly, where the surface appears fuzzy, or where you can see broken threads in the weave. Any carrier that has holes in it should be used with extreme caution, or preferably not at all, since a hole can easily develop into a full-blown tear with stress (such as when the sling is adjusted through the rings, or when a wrap is tightened). A well-loved carrier often has a lot of sentimental value, but it's better to use it for a blanket or child's lovie than to continue using it as a carrier after it shows signs of wear.

Conclusions:

It is not my intention in sharing this information to terrify parents. We do have enough to worry about as it is. However, the media seems very quick to jump on baby slings as the hazard of the week, while ignoring the very real hazards of leaving infants in their car seats and other such devices. The studies on infant car seats and hypoxia (below) all come to the same conclusion: leave the car seat in the car. While manufacturers have made it easier than ever to go through a whole day with the baby in the car seat (including travel systems and snap-on stroller bases), they are not doing so based on the available research (and why should they, when it would hurt their bottom line?).

Parents often assume that since a baby product is sold in a store, it must have been tested, but that really isn't true. Some products are, but the vast majority are not, as can easily be seen by the number of recalls that occur each year. Consider the number of cribs that are recalled each year, including finally the whole dropside crib category. Had they been rigorously tested, the recalls never would have been necessary, but infant products, like most others, are primarily "tested" by the public after they are released. There have been far,far more deaths in car seats, bath seats (the number one in terms of infant deaths per unit used), strollers,cribs, bouncers, and swings than in slings and other carriers, but you'd never know it from the way they were marketed and reported on.

Finally, a little fear can be healthy at times. If worrying about a baby's breathing makes the caregiver check him more often when he's in some kind of baby holding device, that's much better than just assuming he's safe and not checking frequently. Infants are on the whole remarkably resiliant (there are nearly seven billion of us on the planet, after all), but physiologically, we were not made to lie in plastic containers all day. Human infants thrive on touch, motion, and closeness with their caregivers, and it would be misleading to say that being held is "beneficial" to babies and their caregivers: it is simply what we are wired to do, and anything else is actually detrimental. A good baby carrier allows caregivers to fulfill their babies' needs and still go about their daily tasks with ease, and that is the real benefit.

Acknowledgments:

This article would not have been possible without M'Liss Stelzer, RN, who brought these issues to the attention of the babywearing world way back in 2006. Her presentation at the 2010 International Babywearing Conference was excellent, and I hope to see it online soon. Until then, I wanted to make sure the information was out there in some form, and she inspired me to write this and see how widely it can be disseminated.

Sources:

CORRECT POSITIONING For the Safety & Comfort of your Newborn
http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf

A Comparison of Respiratory Patterns in Healthy Term Infants Placed in Car Safety Seats and Beds
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/124/3/e396

The Effect of Chronic or Intermittent Hypoxia on Cognition in Childhood: A Review of the Evidence
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/114/3/805

Oxygen Desaturation of Selected Term Infants in Car Seats
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/96/2/288

Respiratory Instability of Term and Near-Term Healthy Newborn Infants in Car Safety Seats
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/108/3/647

Safe Transportation of Preterm and Low Birth Weight Infants at Hospital Discharge
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/full/123/5/1424

Simple Car Seat Insert to Prevent Upper Airway Narrowing in Preterm Infants: A Pilot Study
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/content/abstract/112/4/907

Use of Seating Devices in Infants Too Young to Sit
http://archpedi.ama-assn.org/cgi/content/abstract/151/3/233

More carrier recalls

There have been two more carrier recalls recently. Everyone please remember to always check the structure of your carrier and keep your little on in a proper position to maintain their airway and support their bodies.

The first recall is for a ring sling made by a small Texas company called Sprout Stuff . They were a local WAHM business that stopped selling carriers in 2007. While it's unlikely that anyone locally would have one of these, it's still important to take a close look at carriers you may find 2nd hand or be gifted by a well meaning friend.

From online discussions and the picture provided, this appears to be a simple ring sling and there were no manufacturing defects noted in the recall. Well made ring slings are very safe carriers when baby is positioned correctly. In the case that prompted the recall, the limited information I've found suggests that the baby was not positioned correctly and/or was in a fragile medical state when he died.

The second recall is for the CYBEX 2.GO carrier made by Regal Lager. The carriers have a shoulder strap buckle that may break and cause a fall hazard. If you have one of these, please contact the company for instructions.

Tuesday, May 18, 2010

Creme Brulee Kids Consignment Sale in Kent

Check out the sale this weekend May 20-22 at the Kent Commons. I'm sure there'll be great bargains to be found!

I'll be there all day Saturday (and maybe Friday afternoon too) to help parents figure out the ins and outs of all of the available carriers consignors will be selling. I'll also have a selection from my library available for anyone interested.

Hope to see you there!!

Monday, April 12, 2010

Visit me at the Puyallup Spring Fair this weekend!

5th Biennial Livable Communities Fair
Green Living Exhibit


I'll be at the exhibit to help with babywearing info and will also have some help from local babywearing vendors at times so you can buy that new sling and use it right at the fair!

Saturday the 17th 10 am - 10 pm
Sunday the 18th 10 am - 8 pm

Parking is FREE and discount tickets can be purchased at local stores (like Safeway).

Friday, April 9, 2010

See me this Saturday at the Supermall!

Saturday April 10the from 11 am - 4 pm
Supermall Great Outdoors Court (near the Food Court)


The Healthy Mom & Child Show presented by Showcase Media will feature booths representing all different types of kid stuff and info - including babywearing!

Hope to see you there!

Wednesday, March 24, 2010

Infantino Slingrider FINALLY RECALLED!

Infantino has finally recalled more than 1 million of their Slingrider "slings"! The bag-style sling-like devices have finally been pulled from the market. Please read the AP news article for details.

The company will take back your slings and offer you another product (PLEASE no more of their carriers!) in exchange.

Ebay has already pulled the carriers from their site, Amazon hadn't as of this posting and they are still on Craigslist - although some nice person has posted the recall on that site.

If you'd like to print cards to have on hand to pass out to any Slingrider owners you may run into, updated cards (including recall info) can be found here.


Happy, safe babywearing!

Sunday, March 14, 2010

CPSC warning - Do it Right

On Friday the official CPSC statement was released regarding the safety of baby slings. I think they did a pretty good job - focusing on correct positioning.

While they didn't name a particular brand or style of carrier to avoid, the bag sling I've posted and spoken about is the worst of the worst
on the retail shelves and, because it's in every mass retailer you walk into, it's one of the first of the firsts that parents run into when shopping for their new little one.

(Photo from the last SlingRider recall.)





There have been many many articles and news stories over the past week as a result of the CPSC warning. Some have been good - pointing out the differences in carriers and positioning. Some haven't been so great - lumping all carrier types together with a scary headline, quoting sources without much, if any, knowledge of babywearing. If you or anyone you know has questions or concerns about any sling that they own or are considering buying, please feel free to contact me with questions. I'm here to help. Babywearing is a great, bonding, healthy experience for parent and baby when done right - when done safely.

Babies can fall into a chin to chest position and die from positional asphyxia in the WRONG POSITION in even the best carrier. The difference between the bag slings and a good ring sling, correctly fitted pouch, mei tai or other carrier is that the bag sling CANNOT be adjusted to carry baby in a safe and correct position while the others can. Proper use of any baby carrier is critical. Correct positioning is the key. The CPSC warning did a fair job of depicting WRONG positions but didn't do much to show the RIGHT positions. So here's a quick rundown:

WRONG: BAG SLINGS





















Notice that in all of these pictures, baby is either burried too deep in the pouch of the sling, the sling is worn too low, baby isn't even visible to the wearer, face is rolled into the parent or fabric of the sling and/or baby is forced into a chin to chest position. These are all UNSAFE.


WRONG: GOOD SLINGS GONE WRONG
This beautiful wrap is tied too loosely and is not supporting baby's back.





The mei tai is tied too loosely, not supporting baby's back and allowing baby to sink low.







Baby is positioned parallel with the rails (edges) of the sling - forcing a chin to chest position.




The pouch is too big, allowing baby to sink into a chin to chest position.








RIGHT: GREAT CARRIERS DONE RIGHT

Baby's head, neck and back are supported in a Tummy to Tummy hold in a Ring Sling.




Baby is positioned in a supported modified upright cradle.






Baby is supported in a pouch with face visible.

















Baby's natural position is supported when worn high and tight against mama.







Thank you to M'liss Stelzer for her research and information regarding correct positioning and the dangers of bag slings. Her full articles are available in print from me, online at www.thebabywearer.com and http://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

Several articles and stories have referred to the chin to chest position as the "C-position". Please note that while we do not want baby in a chin to chest position where they cannot breathe, baby's natural and healthy spine position is a curved position. Baby should not be "squashed" chin to chest, but they should also not be forced into a rigidly straight spine position. A good carrier and correct positioning will support the natural curve of baby's spine as well as keeping their airway open.

And finally, please be cautious when consulting your pediatrician (as recommended in the CPSC statement) regarding the safety and use of slings. Their extensive education and training does NOT include sling products, use or safety. Know that the advice they give regarding slings is based solely on their personal experience (or lack of) from their own carrier use. While they are there to help you with your baby, please remember that their expertise is in your child's medical needs.

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Babywearing Education on the go

In case any of you would like to help parents learn about the potential dangers of their bag slings while you're out running around but you think you're too shy to approach them...Print These!

Thanks to Jan at Sleeping Baby Productions for creating great little cards to hand out with a link to M'liss' Blog.

More warnings about the dangers of bag slings

The CPSC (Consumer Product Safety Commission) will be issuing an official statement or warning against the use of slings. The coming CPSC release will apparently not name a particular brand of carrier, which I think it should. It may simply lump all carriers into one group when, in reality, the problems are really with one particular style of sling - a bag sling like the Infantino SlingRider that forces baby into a chin to chest position and has a high risk for positional asphyxia.

There are MANY great carriers out there that can be used safely. While learning how to use any carrier safely is an important part of the equation, there just isn't a safe way to use a bag sling. They are poorly designed and simply shouldn't be used.
Please read my previous post about the Dangers of Bag Slings and follow the link to the research for more details.

Also, please check out Nurture Baby...Naturally. She has written a very clear post with pix showing the differences between a good ring sling and a bag sling.

If you have questions or concerns about a carrier you have, please feel free to contact me and ask me about it. If you know someone who has one of these slings, please point them here or to any of the linked blogs or sites for more info.


Wear your baby high and tight. Baby's head should be kissably close. The fabric of the carrier should be adjustable to fully support the baby. If you can't do these things with your carrier, please get some help to learn to use it or make sure it is a safe carrier.

Sunday, March 7, 2010

Come see me in Tacoma on March 20th

Come see me at the Tacoma Healthy Kids & Green Parenting Fair at the South Park Community Center from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on March 20, 2010.

I'll be putting on a babywearing fashion show at 11:00 am.


Lots of other great stuff going on too including lead testing of toys, lots of great local organic food and toy vendors and great prizes and giveaways too!

Hope to see you all there! :)

Monday, February 1, 2010

SPREAD THE LOVE with Sakura Bloom!!

On Monday, February 1, Sakura Bloom is launching an international fundraiser to benefit 60 of the world's top babywearing groups!

Babies. Parents. Community! Babywearing groups around the world do incredible work introducing new parents to the joys of baby carriers. We invite you to join us in an international fundraiser to benefit 60 of the world's top babywearing groups!

Together with thirty-six of our amazing retailers worldwide we are thrilled to announce the Sakura Bloom Spread the Love Benefit.


Here's how you can join in to Spread the Love and Win Big:

Purchase a $10 Spread The Love ticket. Each ticket enters you into a drawing to win one of thirty-six $100 gift certificates donated generously by our participating retailers-a total of $3,600!

All proceeds from the benefit will be used to provide each babywearing group with a silk Sakura Bloom sling for their lending library of baby carriers.

Tickets will be on sale February 1-14 and winners will be announced on Wednesday, February 17.

Bonus! The babywearing group with the most tickets purchased in their name-just enter your group's name in the comments box at checkout-will receive an entire wardrobe of Sakura Bloom slings! What is a wardrobe of Sakura Blooms? A big package from us containing our full range of linen and silk slings!

Buy a ticket or two (or as many as you'd like!) and show your support for babywearing groups here, there, and everywhere!

Monday, January 4, 2010

Babywearing is Magic!

Another amazing babywearing video! Grab a hanky and be amazed :)

This one is by Sarah Sophia at www.tout-et-des-roses.com and tied for first place in the Sakura Bloom Triathalon with Leigh's entry below.