Babywearing is more popular than ever, due to an ever-increasing interest in natural parenting. Wearing your baby in a sling, wrap or carrier is a wonderful way to keep him close and still have your hands free to take care of necessary day to day tasks. Like any other child care product, however, baby carriers should be used with common sense and security in mind. The following guidelines will help ensure that you are wearing your baby safely.
GUIDELINES FOR SAFE BABYWEARING + Make sure your baby carrier of choice doesn’t obstruct your baby’s airway. This is especially important for newborns, as the carrier’s fabric might block their nose and mouth and compromise their ability to breathe. + Though it might be tempting, refrain from cooking while wearing your baby. Prep work, like washing veggies or stirring cold ingredients may be safely accomplished. Just don’t handle sharp or hot objects while wearing baby! This includes pouring and drinking hot coffee or tea. + Learn the best way to wear your baby carrier. A carrier worn the wrong way can cause serious back problems. This is especially important if you purchased it over the Internet! If you’ve never seen anyone wearing a carrier like yours in real life, it can be hard to get the fit adjusted quite right. Luckily, most babywearing companies offer great support. If your carrier just doesn’t seem to fit correctly, or doesn’t feel comfortable, don’t hesitate to contact the manufacturer. With a little tweaking, you might be surprised how much more comfortable it feels. + Don’t allow your carrier to compromise good posture. If your shoulders are constantly pulled forward from a baby being strapped to your front, consider purchasing a carrier that will enable you to wear baby on your back sometimes, to even things out. + If your carrier begins to feel too loose toward the end of a long walk or at the end of the day, take the time to tighten it immediately. Holding your baby in a loose fitting carrier is an accident waiting to happen! + Never bend at the waist while wearing baby. To avoid back injury, not to mention baby falling out of the carrier, use your knees to squat when you lower yourself. + Follow the safety guidelines and heed the warnings that are listed in your carrier’s instruction manual. Pay close attention to weight requirements and limits so you’re sure to be toting your tot properly. These tips may seem simplistic, but it never hurts to brush up on safety guidelines, especially where your precious bundle of joy is concerned!
Jill carrying her baby in a HotSling
2 Responses to “The Art of Babywearing: Safety Guidelines”
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Jill, your little guy is precious, and you look fantastic! I really need to invest in a better camera. Any suggestions?
More great articles on how to wear your baby in many different types of carriers:
http://www.thebabywearer.com/index.php?page=usinglinks
including a really important article on how to safely wear your newborn:
http://www.thebabywearer.com/articles/HowTo/Positioning.pdf
And if you have any questions about how to wear a particular carrier (or find one used at an excellent deal): http://www.thebabywearer.com/forum/