I'm getting excited to spread the babywearing love next weekend at the Mother Earth News Fair at the Puyallup fairgrounds! Bring your babies; bring your slings; bring your questions and join me in booth 908 right by the Kids' Treehouse stage and organic food court (could there be a better location?).
I will also have some carriers for sale from my personal stash (Didy Indios, MT, Ellaroos) as well as some Maya Wraps, GypsyMama wraps, doll carriers and maybe even some Babylegs from Attached to Baby.
Keep your fingers crossed and I may also manage to get my samples of Colimacon et Cie wraps from Sweet Pickles to start taking orders!
Hope to see you all there...Happy Babywearing!
Showing posts with label babywearing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label babywearing. Show all posts
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Friday, April 8, 2011
No Recalls
This week's BCIA newsletter led with the wonderful news that they "are thrilled to announce that the recall crisis that threw us all together in 2010 has been averted."
So, Thank You babywearers! The combination of financial support for the BCIA and pressure placed on the CPSC by contacting your legislators and spreading the information to everyone you know worked. Over the past few weeks all 6 companies that were threatened by CPSC (re)investigation have received closure letters for their files. Unfortunatley, at least one of these companies was hit so hard by these events and the costs associated with them that they have closed their doors.
Although the loss of one babywearing business is a great one, this is definitely still a success story for babywearing as a whole.
So, Thank You babywearers! The combination of financial support for the BCIA and pressure placed on the CPSC by contacting your legislators and spreading the information to everyone you know worked. Over the past few weeks all 6 companies that were threatened by CPSC (re)investigation have received closure letters for their files. Unfortunatley, at least one of these companies was hit so hard by these events and the costs associated with them that they have closed their doors.
Although the loss of one babywearing business is a great one, this is definitely still a success story for babywearing as a whole.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Belated updates on CPSC news
I've been a bad blogger. I blame...ummmmm...homeschooling...my kids...busy business stuff...OK, Me. There's been so many things going on with none getting the full attention they deserve that I just realized I haven't updated this blog in months.
I'm sorry.
So, here's the scoop:
With a lot of hard work by the BCIA and support from babywearers concerned about not only the safety of carriers available to parents in North America but also the message that the safest place for a baby is close to it's mother, the CPSC has not issued any new recalls. In fact, in November they issued a statement indicating that they will be aiming for more education regarding babywearing safety instead of recalls. The Babywearing Institute and Dr. Evelyn Kirkilionis - preeminent babywearing researcher in Germany - are working with the CPSC on a babywearing education campaign. The BCIA has also issued a statement that they have pledged to work for this as well.
While this is great news and a great step by the CPSC, I still do not agree with the positioning recommendations illustrated in their November statement. Please remember to keep your baby in a vertical (upright) position in a carrier that supports their natural spread-squat position for optimal hip and spine development. The cradle carry position illustrated in the CPSC statement (and on many websites and manufacturer's instructions) is NOT an ideal position, puts a baby at too great a risk for potential positional asphyxia and does not support the hips/spine in the healthiest position possible. Proper positioning in a good carrier along with the education to understand what this is are key.
If you're unsure about any of the information you've found recently or if you're unsure how to use or choose a carrier for your little one, please feel free to contact me or a Certified Babywearing Educator in your area.
I'm sorry.
So, here's the scoop:
With a lot of hard work by the BCIA and support from babywearers concerned about not only the safety of carriers available to parents in North America but also the message that the safest place for a baby is close to it's mother, the CPSC has not issued any new recalls. In fact, in November they issued a statement indicating that they will be aiming for more education regarding babywearing safety instead of recalls. The Babywearing Institute and Dr. Evelyn Kirkilionis - preeminent babywearing researcher in Germany - are working with the CPSC on a babywearing education campaign. The BCIA has also issued a statement that they have pledged to work for this as well.
While this is great news and a great step by the CPSC, I still do not agree with the positioning recommendations illustrated in their November statement. Please remember to keep your baby in a vertical (upright) position in a carrier that supports their natural spread-squat position for optimal hip and spine development. The cradle carry position illustrated in the CPSC statement (and on many websites and manufacturer's instructions) is NOT an ideal position, puts a baby at too great a risk for potential positional asphyxia and does not support the hips/spine in the healthiest position possible. Proper positioning in a good carrier along with the education to understand what this is are key.
If you're unsure about any of the information you've found recently or if you're unsure how to use or choose a carrier for your little one, please feel free to contact me or a Certified Babywearing Educator in your area.
Monday, February 14, 2011
Becoming a Certified Babywearing Educator
A little belated, but none the less official:
I am now the first (and only) Certified Babywearing Educator in Washington. Yay!
In August I completed the Basic and Advanced training classes through the Babywearing Institute in Logan, Utah. In January I took another week to student teach the same series of classes to a group of great babywearers including the mamas from BabyHawk , as well as babywearing group leaders and store owners at Granola Babies in Orange County, CA.
I'm very excited to take the next steps in my babywearing education and in being able to more completely educate new babywearers. My journey isn't done and I'll be announcing some exciting changes, events and opportunities in the near future.
I did want to take a little bit of space to talk about my experiences in becoming certified.
Why'd I do it? Well, the simple answer is that I wanted to learn more. There were always those things that I tried to figure out on my own by reading through countless website posts, blogs, instruction manuals, asking questions and attending meetings but they just didn't seem to work for me or didn't seem quite "right". When I started running this library and helping people learn to wear their babies I passed on the best of what I knew. Now I know more, it makes more sense and I'll be passing that on to you.
The more personal answer is that when I had my first baby, 10 years ago yesterday, she needed to be attached to me at all times. There were no breaks and, what was worse, there didn't seem to be any answers about how to help her and help me live this new life. I searched every avenue I could think of, did the best I could with what I could find and wore her in a Bjorn for her entire babywearing career. When she was 2 and still desperate to be held and carried and attached at all times I went to an Attachement Parenting International meeting who's guest speaker was a babywearing "expert". This "expert" told me that there were no carriers that would fit a toddler and a fluffy mama like me. That's not true, of course - not even 10 years ago at the beginning of the renewed interest in wearing our babies in the United States. And, that was the sad end to our babywearing days - much too early for both of us.
I became a Certified Babywearing Educator so that the most current, full and science based information would be more easily available to parents and caregivers in the area. I also became Certified so that I could make sure that the information I was passing on was the best and most accurate available and so that new babywearers would be clear on where my expertise comes from.
How was it? It was great! A little bit hard - stretching the limits of my comfort zone in talking in front of groups. A little bit stressful - leaving my kids for the first time - Ever. A lot of great information. A lot of great experiences and new friendships. A lot of support for and validation of the concerns I'd been feeling about some babywearing advice I'd encountered.
Is it worth it? Simply, yes. If you have any interest in taking the classes but weren't sure if they were for you, I would highly recommend them. The research based methods taught at the Babywearing Institute are those that every babywearer should understand, practice and pass on - even if they don't intend to teach in any official capacity. The research is slowly making its way to the public forums, which is wonderful, but the in-person, hands-on experience really helped to make it concrete for me.
What's next? I'm working, slowly but surely, to become a Licensed Certified Babywearing Educator so that I can certify other new babywearing educators. I am available for private consultations, group presentations, consultations with parents and their child's physician, business trainings both locally and outside my area (if it works for my family). I'm also continuing to work on projects with the Babywearing Intstitute to spread the important messages of babywearing safety and optimal positioning and create a forum for babywearing educators to discuss these topics and build community.
What is most important to me is that you know that I started on this journey to do what I knew was best for my babies. I am continuing on this journey to try to make it easier for other parents to do the same. I want to pass on what I have learned through my experiences as a parent, my research and my education. I will only teach you what I have learned to be safe based on the best and most current research available. Just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done. Babywearing is part of me as a mom and as a person. Right now it is one of the best ways that I can share who I am.
I am now the first (and only) Certified Babywearing Educator in Washington. Yay!
In August I completed the Basic and Advanced training classes through the Babywearing Institute in Logan, Utah. In January I took another week to student teach the same series of classes to a group of great babywearers including the mamas from BabyHawk , as well as babywearing group leaders and store owners at Granola Babies in Orange County, CA.
I'm very excited to take the next steps in my babywearing education and in being able to more completely educate new babywearers. My journey isn't done and I'll be announcing some exciting changes, events and opportunities in the near future.
I did want to take a little bit of space to talk about my experiences in becoming certified.
Why'd I do it? Well, the simple answer is that I wanted to learn more. There were always those things that I tried to figure out on my own by reading through countless website posts, blogs, instruction manuals, asking questions and attending meetings but they just didn't seem to work for me or didn't seem quite "right". When I started running this library and helping people learn to wear their babies I passed on the best of what I knew. Now I know more, it makes more sense and I'll be passing that on to you.
The more personal answer is that when I had my first baby, 10 years ago yesterday, she needed to be attached to me at all times. There were no breaks and, what was worse, there didn't seem to be any answers about how to help her and help me live this new life. I searched every avenue I could think of, did the best I could with what I could find and wore her in a Bjorn for her entire babywearing career. When she was 2 and still desperate to be held and carried and attached at all times I went to an Attachement Parenting International meeting who's guest speaker was a babywearing "expert". This "expert" told me that there were no carriers that would fit a toddler and a fluffy mama like me. That's not true, of course - not even 10 years ago at the beginning of the renewed interest in wearing our babies in the United States. And, that was the sad end to our babywearing days - much too early for both of us.
I became a Certified Babywearing Educator so that the most current, full and science based information would be more easily available to parents and caregivers in the area. I also became Certified so that I could make sure that the information I was passing on was the best and most accurate available and so that new babywearers would be clear on where my expertise comes from.
How was it? It was great! A little bit hard - stretching the limits of my comfort zone in talking in front of groups. A little bit stressful - leaving my kids for the first time - Ever. A lot of great information. A lot of great experiences and new friendships. A lot of support for and validation of the concerns I'd been feeling about some babywearing advice I'd encountered.
Is it worth it? Simply, yes. If you have any interest in taking the classes but weren't sure if they were for you, I would highly recommend them. The research based methods taught at the Babywearing Institute are those that every babywearer should understand, practice and pass on - even if they don't intend to teach in any official capacity. The research is slowly making its way to the public forums, which is wonderful, but the in-person, hands-on experience really helped to make it concrete for me.
What's next? I'm working, slowly but surely, to become a Licensed Certified Babywearing Educator so that I can certify other new babywearing educators. I am available for private consultations, group presentations, consultations with parents and their child's physician, business trainings both locally and outside my area (if it works for my family). I'm also continuing to work on projects with the Babywearing Intstitute to spread the important messages of babywearing safety and optimal positioning and create a forum for babywearing educators to discuss these topics and build community.
What is most important to me is that you know that I started on this journey to do what I knew was best for my babies. I am continuing on this journey to try to make it easier for other parents to do the same. I want to pass on what I have learned through my experiences as a parent, my research and my education. I will only teach you what I have learned to be safe based on the best and most current research available. Just because something can be done, doesn't mean it should be done. Babywearing is part of me as a mom and as a person. Right now it is one of the best ways that I can share who I am.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
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.
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
Read the article: No Such Thing as Too Much Love: 'Spoiled' Babies Grow Up to Be Smarter, Kinder Kids
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
