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
Showing posts with label CPSC. Show all posts
Showing posts with label CPSC. Show all posts
Monday, October 4, 2010
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...
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...
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.
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.
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.
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.
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