Make it Work!

Good Morning, Babywearers!

It's been a busy weekend, and I'm sure many of you have been out and about babywearing - I've seen you at the Greek Festival, Chinese Moon Festival, Soda City, and all the other usual places like soccer games, grocery stores, Target and the Mall. Well, you know what I mean. I saw posts on Facebook - there's no way in the world I can manage to hit all that stuff in one weekend, even if I wanted to! But I love seeing the variety of carriers each of us use every day.

That's one thing I really, really love about Babywearers of the Midlands - we have parents that use SSC/Buckle carriers all the time, others that are all about wraps, we have moms that love their Mei Tai, and still others that can't get enough ring slings. And yes, we have families that own and use a variety of these carriers, depending on the situations (yours truly, for example). That's one thing that I think is really important about this group as it grows - we see that all carriers are welcome and we can geek out about just about anything. If you are prone to geekery, at any rate.

Update: 09/27/2015: As you can see, this post was originally written and published a little over a year ago. In that year, a lot has changed in the babywearing community regarding recommended safety practices and regulations. The most commonly given  new rule of thumb is: if it is not in manufacturer's instructions, don't do it!

 

Therefore I'm updating this post with some caveats to safety, and when these Make It Work Tricks are ok to do, and when they are not.

 

For ALL OF THESE TIPS - they are not long term solutions. They are things you can do to make a carrier work for a wear or two, not more than that.

Make it Work!

All of us have done it. Bought a carrier slightly too big for our baby. Maybe the baby was smaller than you thought, or the carrier bigger. Or perhaps you were gifted a carrier and you can't get a good fit. I'm going to focus on three "tricks" you can use to make a carrier work for you and your baby, at any size. You may have heard of them, but wondered what they were. They have become so common in the babywearing world that they have become part of the lingo, and often not given much explanation. They are: The Hair Tie Trick, The Blanket Trick, and The Scarf Trick. I'm hear to break it down for you, so you can make these carriers work for you!

Updated Caveat: If your baby and carrier size are serious mismatch - they baby won't fit in for weeks or months - sell or trade your carrier for one that's the proper size. Under each of these tips I'll explain why they are short-term solutions.

The Hair Tie Trick

Who? This trick is used to make carriers work for smaller babies and newborns. It can also be used on a toddler carrier to make it work more like a standard.

What? Used primarily on Mei Tai, because it doesn't usually place unusual stress on the seams. On Buckle Carriers/SSC, this is a short term, do once or twice solution.

Where? At the base of panel, above the waistband.

When? Use this when the panel of the Mei Tai or SSC appears to swallow your baby. Especially with newborns, you want to follow TICKS:

• T: Tight - carrier needs to fit baby snugly to your body
• I: In View at All Times
• C: Close Enough to Kiss
• K: Keeps Chin off Chest - need that airway open!
• S: Supported Back - you want baby upright, with back in C position when they are tiny.

Why? Because a carrier that is too large for your baby means that following TICKS is impossible; a too large body panel means that it fits your baby too loosely. Baby can slump down, out of view, and compromise her airway. It is of utmost importance that baby carriers, like car seats, fit your baby and are used properly at all times. This trick narrows and shortens the body panel making it work for a newborn or smaller baby. It makes it possible to keep baby in view and follow all the rules of TICKS.

How? Easy Peasy. Using a hair band, ribbon, or other loop of elastic, slip it over the waist band (the ties if using a Mei Tai, the webbing if using a SSC), and onto the lowest part of the body panel, above the waistband. This shortens and cinches the panel, making it comfortable for a newborn to be legs out, in an M Position. For more on Ergonomics (like M Position, C shaped Spine, TICKS, and other alphabet soup awesomeness, see HERE. )




an uncinched Mei Tai
See how it does not follow the rules
of TICKS?
(this was Demo Dolly. She was in no danger)



If you look closely,
you can see the hairband at
the base of this Mei Tai

See how well it fits, when it's cinched?



Using a hair elastic to cinch the base
of a Mai Tai







Using a Kinderpack's Storage loop
to cinch the base of a standard carrier



 

Updated Caveat - using the roll up strap to cinch the base of the carrier was a recommendation that even the manufacturer, Kinderpack endorsed not all that long ago. They no longer recommend this particular use of the storage strap, as it places undue and unusual stress on the seams that have not been tested to safety standards.  

The Blanket Trick

Updated Caveat: Only use this trick at the manufacturer recommendation. The only manufacturer that endorses this method is Lillebaby.  Why? most infant inserts sold with carriers not only boost baby up, they also support your newborn around the sides, to prevent slumping and leaning which helps protect that precious airway.  Furthermore, blankets smoosh more than the foam pillows used in infant inserts and can easily become dislodged.  Final recommendation: use this with a Lillebaby if your baby is not ready to be legs out in the narrow base setting. Other wise,  you may want to try and borrow, trade, or buy a carrier better sized for your newborn until they fit properly in the one you have.

 

Who? This trick is used to make carriers work for smaller babies and newborns.

What? Used on SSC/Buckle Carriers.

Where? At the base of panel, above the waistband.

When? Use this when the panel SSC appears to swallow your baby. Especially with newborns, you want to follow TICKS:

• T: Tight - carrier needs to fit baby snugly to your body
• I: In View at All Times
• C: Close Enough to Kiss
• K: Keeps Chin off Chest - need that airway open!
• S: Supported Back - you want baby upright, with back in C position when they are tiny.

Why? Because a carrier that is too large for your baby means that following TICKS is impossible; a too large body panel means that it fits your baby too loosely. Baby can slump down, out of view, and compromise her airway. It is of utmost importance that baby carriers, like car seats, fit your baby and are used properly at all times. This trick boosts baby higher in the body panel, and makes a narrower seat for baby, making it work for a newborn or smaller baby. It makes it possible to keep baby in view and follow all the rules of TICKS.

How? Buckle or tie the waist of your carrier in your preferred location. Most parents tend to do this a bit higher than their belly buttons when using carriers with a newborn, in order to get baby in a higher position. Roll a flannel receiving blanket, and place on top of the waist band. Hold the roll with one hand while placing baby sitting on it with the other. Bring the back of the carrier up, and put your arms through the straps and fasten the chest clip. Many people prefer this method rather than the manufactured infant inserts (like Ergobaby's) because it is not padded and therefore less hot. But please, if your carrier comes with an infant insert, use it, rather than this method. Or let us help hook you up with a cooler carrier! There are a lot of great options out there that are more breathable and work wonderfully for newborns.

Side view of Jackie and H, blanket roll

Front view - placing baby on roll



All done - Baby H is
 Snug, Kissable, Viewable, and Comfortable
and adorable, too!



 

 Scarf Trick

Who? Have a narrow based carrier (made by Baby Bjorn, Snuggli, Evenflo, etc)? This trick is for you!

What? This trick will turn your less than ergonomic carrier into one more comfortable - for both you and baby, by bringing baby's legs up into an M position, and securing baby more snugly to your torso.

Where? Like most of these tricks, around baby's seat.

When? This can be used for babies of any age or size that fit the weight limits of your narrow based carrier.

Why? Contrary to what some of you may have heard, using a Narrow Based Carrier is not going to cause your baby to develop Hip Dysplasia. However, if your baby is prone to this condition due to other medical factors, using a Narrow Based Carrier (NBC, from here. I'm a lazy typist), will certainly not help. This trick brings your baby into a more ergonomic position - that is, a position that is far more comfortable and natural for them, while at the same time, securing them more snugly to your torso, which makes it more comfortable for YOU, the wearer.

Why does it work?  In most narrow based carriers, even when baby is facing you, they are harnessed such that they are really hanging in front of your body, only connected by the shoulder straps (and maybe waist band, if your NBC has one). The baby's weight is pulling away from your center of gravity which in turn, pulls on your shoulders and can hurt your back. This is especially evident if they are up for a long period of time. As far as your baby goes, ever notice - particularly with a newborn - how when you hold them upright, their tiny legs tuck in and up, like a frog? When you are holding them, your hand or arm is almost always under their bottom, supporting this frog-legged position, so that it almost looks like an M with the baby's knees being the top points of the M? You want your carrier to mimic the position you would hold them, in arms, as it feels most natural and comfortable for both of you.

How? There are two ways you can do this. The first, and most common, is to use any scarf that you could comfortably tie around you and baby. Bringing babies legs up into an ergonomic position, use the scarf around the both of you to secure the baby's legs in that M position, tying the scarf in the back.  The second method, you need a couple yards of a narrow strip of cloth. With baby in the NBC, you use the strip tied almost like you would a Moby wrap, bringing baby's legs up into the M position, and the fabric crossed behind your back. This method might be a bit cooler than using a scarf, and may overall feel more supportive than the scarf alone, since it also helps distribute the weight of baby better across your torso and shoulders.

Ashleigh, using the 1st scarf trick
She tucks the scarf up under baby's bottom
to create an ergonomic seat before tying in back.

Chris, using the 2nd scarf trick
She starts like the first scarf trick,
creating the seat, then bringing the ends of the fabric
crossed in back and over her shoulders
before tying under S's bottom.




 

 

Hopefully, this has helped you find ways to make your carriers work for you, or perhaps you can take this knowledge out in your community to help your friends, family, and neighbors use their carriers in a way that makes them more comfortable.  I know so many people give up babywearing because they can't find a way to make the carriers they have work for them, and they don't want to spend more money on another carrier without knowing if they can make it work. If you, or someone you know, wants to try out some options, please invite them, come with them, drag them to, one of our meetings. Ok, maybe not drag them. We are so blessed with what we've been able to add to our Lending Library, and we want to share the love! Plus we love seeing new faces and getting to know each one of you better.

 

Our Lending Library has grown so much over the last year since this was originally published! please contact one of our Librarians, and we will be happy to help you find a carrier that fits and works best for you and your little one.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



. . . Have You Any Wool?

Happy Blog Day!

First, I want to apologize for my hiatus, I was thinking about new, fantastic, and hopefully wonderfully helpful blog topics to write about this fall. Coming up, I'm going to talk about different wrap fiber blends, what you should have in your stash (short answer - whatever you want!), pricing (retail and market value) of carriers, and much more! If there are particular topics you'd like me to explore, do not hesitate to suggest them in our Facebook group. Do you consider yourself an expert within your particular babywearing niche? or perhaps you just want to share your babywearing journey? Borrowed one of our Lending Library carriers - write a review! I'd love to plug some guest posts into the rotation.

Apple picking Fall 2013

Fall brings with it so many awesome babywearing opportunities: apple picking, pumpkin patch exploring, corn maze wandering, farmer's markets, State and County Fair going, Renaissance Faire trekking, and so much more. The (hopefully) cooler weather, makes babywearing a much more pleasurable experience, and many of these venues are difficult for stroller navigation. With cooler weather approaching, you'll see many more wool wraps available, and might be curious about them - I'm here to break it down for you.

Wool: it's not just for cool weather

While the advent of cooler weather brings out the woolie love, wool is not just for cold weather. It's a natural, animal fiber that breathes amazingly well. It will insulate you in the winter months, for sure, but many of the thinner weight wool wraps do an excellent job wicking away moisture and keeping you and baby cool when the weather gets hot.

Emily - Linuska butterflies
size 2 woolie

For all woven wraps, not just woolies, check out this chart for what wrap geeks mean by "thin" and "thick" - it's actually a measurement, and not just a guesstimate. Most of the wool blend Didymos Indios are on the thinner side of the spectrum, while Didymos wool blend India, Artipoppe (this is a brand), and Oschas are on the heavier end of the spectrum. Heaviness/Thickness is measured in grams per square meter. You can find this out yourself by weighing a wrap on a postal scale in grams, and figuring out then the square meter size of your wrap - there are more detailed instructions HERE, or of course, you can find most wraps in the www.wovenwrapsdatabase.com chart, which is searchable by blend, colorway, release date, and more. Many of the smaller wrap companies, like Linushka and Woven Wings offer wool and cashmere blends as well, and are very popular.

What's to love about wool

Rachael in her new wool wrap

Wool, how do I love thee, let me count the ways!
Thou art cushy, and soft,
Moldable to a fault,
Wick away moisture, there is no doubt
You stretch just right and even bounce!
There is no fiber quite like you -

Forgive my not-so-fabulous poetry skills, but really, there is a lot to love about wool. You will find
no other fiber with as much cush on the shoulders - I don't think even the thinner wools get very diggy in the shoulders. It has a surprising stretch and bounce to it, which is especially nice when wrapping larger babies and toddlers. It's supportive, soft, and molds to even the smallest newborn like a second skin. Wool is truly an amazing fiber.






I sense some hesitation . . . .

Why doesn't everyone own wool, then, if it's so amazing? Two reasons really. Fear, and allergies. I can't really help the allergies, but the fear . . . let's see what we can do about that.

 

The care of wool

Wool is a picky fiber, when it comes to washing. Mostly it comes down to two things (again, I know!)

Handwashing

I know your washer has a delicate or handwash setting. I KNOW it does. I don't care how gentle it agitates, it is just not the same as washing actually by hand. The scary thing about wool is that it can be ruined in just one badly handled wash. So please. Use your sink or tub and give it a quick lukewarm bath. By Hand. Use a wool friendly detergent, you don't need much. Whenever you wash your wraps, however you wash them, unless they really were the object of a poop-splosion, followed by a spit-up bath, and then rolled around in the mud, they really do NOT need (not even your easy to care for 100% cotton wraps) heavy duty or frequent washing. Really. In fact, I'd wager to say that the less you wash them, the better.

Dry flat

Have any wool sweaters? wool scarves? they have this same instruction - dry flat. Hanging to dry stretches out the fibers in a way that wool doesn't like. Find a clear table, an ironing board or two, and dry your lovely soft woolie on a flat surface.

What about FELTING??

Why does felting happen? Felting can happen whenever the wool fibers get dried to quickly, or with too much heat. Sometimes it happens if the fibers are agitated too much in water that is too cold. If you follow these easy to follow washing and drying instructions, your wool will not felt and you will love it the more you wear it. Promise!

More on wool care from Babywearing 102:

Wool: Many people are intimidated by wool, but taking the plunge is well worth it. It is surprisingly breathable and one of the cushiest fibers. Some wool can be on the scratchy side, but there are many wool wraps out there that are kitten belly soft and not “wool-like” at all. Caring for wool isn’t as hard as it seems. Most people opt to hand wash wool. Make sure to avoid felting your wrap by using only lukewarm water, avoiding extreme temperature changes, always laying flat when wet, and never roughly agitating it. Simply fill a tub with lukewarm water, add a dime sized amount of wool wash or baby shampoo, gently swish, and let it sit for 30 minutes. Then very carefully lay the wrap flat on a towel, being careful to support its weight in all places. Fill the tub up again with water the same temperature as the water you just drained. Add the wrap and swish gently to rinse it. Let it sit for a few minutes. Then carefully sandwich the wrap in between two towels, roll up the towel, and squeeze to remove excess water. Lay it flat to dry. For more information, check out TheBabywearer for information on washing, conditioning, and ironing wool.

How do you know if a wrap is felted?

Check for fuzzies, waviness, and puckering are the primary signs of felting. Felting destroys many of the great wrapping qualities of wool, including give, stretch, cush, and bounce. Felted wraps are not safe for babywearing anymore, but can be used in wrap scrap crafts, like bags, shoes, toys, and other goodies.  www.thebabywearer.com has a great thread for more information, including pictures, HERE.

Now, not all wool is created equal. Some wool wraps come softer than others. If your woolie is a bit scratchy, try a bath (for it, not you! - though if you are so inclined, add bubbles and a glass of wine - I won't tell) in Eucalan, a special wool wash that will help add lanolin back to the wool. It will smooth and soften the fibers.

Emily - Woven Wings Geo

Chris - Natibaby Snowflakes
Lending Library Wrap!



What are you waiting for? Check out the wonderfulness that is wool! You can look at locally owned woolies and even check out one from our Lending Library during one of our upcoming events.

 

Upcoming Events

 

 

 

September 13 - Our monthly Saturday Meeting - 10 a.m. at the LDS Institute on Assembly Street. We'll be talking about tips and tricks for wearing during those precious newborn days when baby may not weigh much, but you'd still like to be hands free.

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 25 - Our monthly Thursday Meeting - 10 a.m. at the LDS church on Broad River Rd. We'll be talking about Sharing the Babywearing Love - ideas and tips on how to approach Babywearers (or wannabe Babywearers or potential Babywearers) in the wild, as well as some how-to's for becoming an even better babywearing advocate. This will be a great opportunity to learn about teaching others about babywearing safely, using the carriers they have, as well as how to use carriers new to them.

 

We have lots planned for October in honor of International Babywearing Week! Stay Tuned!