So I just spammed all the age and tri boards...

ncbelle

with my sling safety PSA ;-)

Here it is...please help spread the word or add other good links and info to those posts!

Barging in...

I'm a big babywearing fan and have done a ton of research on carriers - I just wanted to point out a few helpful resources in light of the "slings are dangerous" CPSC warning that came out today.

Most slings are safe - when worn correctly!!  The slings that are dangerous are those like the Infantino Slingrider - bag slings.  This site has an excellent explanation as to the dangers: https://babyslingsafety.blogspot.com/

Infantino was alerted to this mama's work years ago and did nothing aside from adding mesh to their carrier - not enough to prevent recent deaths.  This carrier and others like it are not safe - there is no way to properly position a baby in them.  

Ring slings, pouches, wraps, mei tais, and buckle carriers are all safe options - when worn properly.  While there are ways to safely cradle carry a newborn, I advise people to use the upright tummy to tummy position as it is much easier to get right.  Most babies prefer this position anyway and it can be done in any carrier, even a ring sling.

For more information on babywearing safety, please visit the Facebook group Babywearing Safety.

This handout is also useful: https://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%253A%252F%252Fwww.thebabywearer.com%252Farticles%252FHowTo%252FPositioning.pdf&h=ac2e1c70aa3fc25d49c53f6453a1a099&ref=share

thebabywearer.com is an excellent resource as well - tons of videos and instructions in the forums. I have other links in my siggy on wraps.

If you are interested in babywearing, you may want to see if there is a babywearing group in your area or a store that sells good carriers that can assist you with proper positioning.  Sadly, most carriers that you can purchase at big box stores are either not great for long term wearing or are down right dangerous (like the Slingrider).

If you have any questions, come on over to the AP board.  Many of us are avid babywearers and happy to answer questions.

 Please pass this info on!!

 

ibis

And thank you for doing it. There was a ridiculous post on 0-3 for a minute but it was DD'd.

ncbelle

I missed it - I've been trying to hunt down all the posts on the subject and got tired of typing the same thing ;-)  Of course, Friday night is probably not the most hopping time.  Too bad it can't get stickied for a while...

ncbelle

Great - now I have to email the bump and try to get them to at least put out some links to some helpful resources.

I once emailed them about a lame breastfeeding "article" in their email newsletter.  I actually got a response although they never really did anything to address it.

This really is a good and bad thing - I'm really glad that the bad slings are getting negative attention or just unsafe babywearing in general - just hope it doesn't lead to an "all slings are dangerous" mentality.

cindy453

I just printed out the "correct positioning of a newborn" hand out for my GTG tomorrow  

rlteddy

Great info!?

cindy453

also, I feel like a dunce, but I cannot find the babywearing safety facebook page. I wanted to write down a short, simple web address for BWing safety info. 

ncbelle

So weird, 3rd tri got super huffy at my post and no other board has - yowza!  Apparently it's been the topic of the day ;-)

I emailed the bump too to see if they'd include helpful links in their newsletter - the first email bounced - ha!

cindy453:

also, I feel like a dunce, but I cannot find the babywearing safety facebook page. I wanted to write down a short, simple web address for BWing safety info. 

Here ya go! https://www.facebook.com/BabywearingSafety?ref=ts

Hope the meeting goes well.

IrishBrideND

Sorry if I got huffy (I lurk here, I'm not stalking you, I promise )

 

But its just been talked about all freaking day long. It really is the new H1n1!

lulupinkerton

Thank you so much for doing this.

Tonya_G

Very well stated. I got several "tsk tsk" looks while wearing Lily out today, which is a first- usually people are just curious. Still more curious looks than no though, and the only people who commented asked questions about it instead of being judgy- I always try to take it as an opportunity to educate!

ncbelle

IrishBrideND:

Sorry if I got huffy (I lurk here, I'm not stalking you, I promise )

 

But its just been talked about all freaking day long. It really is the new H1n1!

LOL -  It wasn't just you ;-)   But it was funny that y'all were the only board to react that way.  But if you lurk here, you likely know I'm a babywearing nutter!

There have been a lot of posts, but I haven't seen a lot of the info that I included - more about slings as dangerous instead of how to properly wear.  

cindy453

thanks! I'm nervous everybody who shows up is going to want to learn to wrap, and I have no wraps and have never wrapped... ever. I have a "wrapper" coming that offered to show people wrap stuff, but I don't want to feel useless! 

ncbelle

cindy453:

thanks! I'm nervous everybody who shows up is going to want to learn to wrap, and I have no wraps and have never wrapped... ever. I have a "wrapper" coming that offered to show people wrap stuff, but I don't want to feel useless! 

I'm sure it will be great!  Mostly people just want a place to be able to meet and try different things - and you can definitely point them in the right direction for more info.  

anna7602

You are so awesome for doing this! Now, can you set up an 800# number at your house to field all the calls from well-meaning relatives of AP Bumpies?

Seriously, thank you. I will quote this info again and again, I'm sure.

webMistress0609

Awesome post. You're right about Friday night not being a high traffic time. Maybe we should do some more spamming during the week?

sarahsteve

THANK YOU for posting this all over the place   So frustrating that all slings are getting bad press.

megstriesagain

Thanks so much for having the good info!  I've already gotten cc'd on an email my sister sent to my PG SIL warning her against all slings and warning me "because I know you're crunchy and would probably use a sling if I didn't warn you."  Because of your info, I was able to email both of them back with specifics about the Slingrider and the cradle carry!  Hopefully this will help both SIL (who was considering BWing) and keep them off my back (because we're planning on wearing as much as possible!)

Thanks again!