Wrapsody: The Wraparound Baby Carrier

About two months ago, I came across this thread about green smoothies on TheBabywearer.com forums. “Huh,” I thought. I love leafy greens — I put them in a lot of the things I cook the way some women use ground beef. However, I still feel I just don’t get enough of either vegetables or of greens specifically. Most particularly, since getting pregnant, salad is utterly unappealing to me.

What caught my eye was the fact the women were making these smoothies with their ordinary, inexpensive kitchen blenders. Not the Vitamixes I’ve coveted for years, but your standard, run of the mill appliance. It never occurred to my mine could work this magic.

My first attempt at a green smoothie tasted remarkably green. I chugged it because it was not particularly tasty. No bananas, I’ve discovered, can be to green smoothie’s detriment. A few days later, I made another — D.E.L.I.C.I.O.U.S. I made another the next day, and my kids wanted to know what I was drinking. “A smoothie,” I told them, and offered to make them one — which I did, with just a bit of green juice to excuse the color. They all loved it, and when I shared the ingredients they were surprised but not turned off.

Green smoothies have become a staple of our diet.

Tonight, I rearranged our dinner plans. We were out practicing archery and didn’t get home until fairly late, and I didn’t want to start on a sheperd’s pie that late. Mac N Cheese and a bag of steam-in-bag green beans became the stand in (not an awesome dinner, I know, but balance is the key to life, I think). My boys were horrified. “If I eat, like, 20 carrots, can I skip the green beans? Well, can I put them in a green smoothie? With just some milk and peanut butter? I’ll have a double portion if I can do that!”

Sold, to the boy with the green blender-thumb. I declined to taste it, but boy 1 chugged his happily, and boy 2 liked his better than he would have a plate of green beans. (The girl and I just ate them on a plate in their ordinary shape.)

So that’s the story of the Power of the Smoothie. If you haven’t already, try these out. My kids have enjoyed coming up with endless variations, but my favorite easy recipe is just a banana, two big handfuls of baby spinach, some yogurt, and a bit of juice. I’ve also enjoyed them with spinach, parsley, banana, and iced green tea. I do find that ensuring complete blending is important to the smooth goodness of the smoothie.

If you try it, post back with your recipe and how you’ve liked it!

I just read this hilarious blog post from the Beltway Babywearers on the dirty little secrets of babywearing. Now, before you read it, I absolutely MUST say — carefully attend your child whenever (s)he is in a carrier, but most especially if (s)he is nursing or otherwise eating. Also, from a safety standpoint, there are many things you should not tuck into a carrier with your baby — if you wouldn’t put it in his/her mouth, then store it away from baby. However, the post rocks.

Carrying Isaac and Orion, walking with Morgaine, in the Orion and Morgaine Wrapsody Breeze carriers.

That said — I must disagree with their assertion that babywearing may not be dead sexy. Here’s my story.

The year was, approximately, 2006. I was shopping for polar fleece for the ponchos I made at the time — also, I was babysitting. So, while I schlepped the bolts of fabric around the store, I had tied onto me both my son and my charge in an Wrapsody Breeze Orion. Sweet toddler girl on my back, sweet toddler boy on my front, rowdy preschooler in one hand, less rowdy first grader in the other hand. Yes, I was the picture of a mom — but, as a recently single mom, I had, of course, brushed my hair, put some gel in it, and swiped on some eye makeup.

(I’ve tossed up a picture of me in approximately the same position several months before this event, above. I’ll be the first to admit I hadn’t lost all the weight that divorce would take off quite yet.)

After I checked out, a lovely young gentleman helped me to my car; he carried some of my fabric bolts; I carried two more, leaving the preschooler’s hand in the care of the first grader’s so I could balance the bolts on my shoulders. He waited as I loaded the kids into the station wagon, and after I had finished unwrapping the baby girl on my back, he asked me for my number. And then even followed through with a phone call later.

Though I politely declined the date in the end — he was a fine looking man, and lovely to chat with, and he asked me out while I was wearing not one, but TWO babies. Maybe that means he was crazy. Or maybe it’s just proof that babywearing is, indeed — sexy as sexy gets.

I can say, too, that there are Twilight fans everywhere (I’m not one. And though my daughter is, she is certainly a bit young to be in the agreeing masses) who would look at this photo (and honestly, I only know it’s a Twilight character because my daughter told me) and agree, too.

I have been composing this blog post in my head for almost a week now, and I thought I had finally nailed all the talking posts.

However, Susie Spence, from the Magic City Slingers, did all the hard work for me — she has hit all of my talking points and more in a succinct, fantastic press release that you can read here, on the Magic City Slingers’ Blog.

“Babywearing experts say CPSC baby sling warning is good information, but inaccurate reporting and failure to recall unsafe slings are putting babies at risk,” they say. Read it. It’s good, good stuff.

Mama and baby, reaping the myriad benefits of babywearing.

BERWICK, ME – This week, the CPSC has issued a warning about the dangers of using baby slings, due to 3 recent deaths that have occured. As parents, we at Gypsy Mama, LLC and Wrapsody Baby are deeply saddened by these tragedies. We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families affected.

We are firmly committed to the development, health and safety of all infants; as such, we strongly disagree with the governments’ warning against baby slings. We believe that babywearing is a highly beneficial practice that is superior to any alternative products that a baby might spend his time in.

Babywearing is the practice of using a fabric carrier, more or less constructed, to hold a baby or young child securely to an adult’s (typically a parent’s) torso. The carrier used can be either a makeshift item, a traditional carrier, or, most commonly, a modern design. Most modern designs have some basis in traditional carriers from around the world.

It is well known that babywearing, as a practice, is exceptionally beneficial to parents and babies alike. Babies are born expecting to be carried until they are able to independently walk; it is clear that meeting that need permits optimal development of the infant. When babies are carried, they spend more time in the quiet alert phase known to be optimal for learning and development. Carried babies have been shown to become independent sooner. Carried babies cry less & sleep better, which have implications for the quality of life of the family, including prevention of neglect and abuse. Babywearing has many positive implications for the mother as well. It facilitates several factors known to contribute to preventing and treating Postpartum Depression.

In order for a babywearing parent to realise these benefits, it is essential that the carrier(s) used offers several key characteristics:

-It should allow the baby & carregive to be in maximum contact with each other, with the baby cuddled directly with the wearer’s body, and usually oriented vertically.
-Construction of the carrier must be soft enough to mold to both the caregiver’s and baby’s bodies.
-There must be nothing restricting or blocking the baby’s nose, mouth or airway.
-The carrier, when used according to the manufacturer’s direction, must be comfortable for both the baby & caregiver to use for the desired duration of carrying time.

The Wrapsody Baby Carrier fulfills all of those qualities.

Additionally, it is key to recognize that babywearing is a learned skill that parents must be taught in order to perform safely. Available resources vary from manufacturer’s printed and digital instructions to community based meetings, online informational sites, and additional support from manufacturers, retailers and babywearing educators.

If you have any questions about the use of Wrapsody Baby Carriers or about this release, please contact Kristi Hayes-Devlin, president of Gypsy Mama, LLC.
Website: http://WrapsodyBaby.com
Email: kristi@gypsymama.com
Phone: 603 509 2931

March 11, 2010
With the publication of an Associated Press article regarding the CPSC government warning on baby slings and the Consumers Union’s concerns about “bag-style” slings, the companies co-sponsoring this release are taking a stand to help educate the public on the differences between safe vs. unsafe baby slings and carriers as detailed below.

The ancient practice of babywearing made its way into western culture in the 1960s and its popularity with American consumers has grown because of its vast benefits. Unfortunately, this has led to the creation of some potentially unsafe baby slings and carriers. Slings and carriers of concern are popularly categorized under the token term “bag-style” slings. In “bag-style” slings, the deep pouch where baby sits puts the baby in a potentially suffocating curved or “C” like position. Also, excessive fabric with an elasticized edge may cover baby’s face, inhibiting breathing. Furthermore, the design may cause the baby’s face to turn in toward a caregiver’s body, potentially smothering the baby.

In contrast, shallow pouch-style slings, ring slings, mei tais and wraps hold baby in proper alignment and they fit snugly by design and instruction. They have been engineered, developed and tested by parents, often the manufacturers themselves with their own children. These carriers are often simple and without gimmicks. Dedicated and concerned manufacturers of these types of safe slings and carriers have sponsored this release.

Because of the popularity and gaining market share of small baby carrier companies, a few years ago the Juvenile Products Manufactures Association (JPMA) was approached by a handful of these companies asking for a standard to be created. These companies were initially alarmed by the creation of some carriers, mostly by home crafters, fashioned from materials unsuitable for baby products. Soon after, M’liss Stelzer, a pediatric nurse, did an oxygenation study discovering a potential link between infant deaths and “bag-style” style slings, therefore creating even more need for the standard as well as further study.

Upon this need the ASTM, an internationally recognized creator of standards for consumer products and test procedures, created a subcommittee for Sling Carrier Standards. The ASTM Subcommittee is made up of manufacturers, consumer advocates and government officials from the US and Canada including members of the CPSC. The subcommittee started writing the standard two years ago. In this time more deaths have occurred, all linked to the “bag-style” sling being reported by Jennifer Kerr, a writer for the Associated Press in the article referenced in the first line of this release. This has alerted the CPSC to take necessary action and issue this warning.

In well-designed products, babywearing is not only safe, but is actually very beneficial when done properly. Studies have shown that quality baby slings and carriers have been shown to save lives, improve health, decrease crying, increase IQ, and facilitate breastfeeding and bonding. For examples of these cases and further reading see “Increased Carrying Reduces Infant Crying: A Randomized Controlled Tria,l” an article written by Urs A. Hunziker MD and Ronald G. Barr MDCM, FRCP(C), “Saving My Baby,” a blog post written on Fierce Mama’s Blog by Sarah Kaganovsky, and Dr. Maria Blois’s book Babywearing.

Studies have also shown that worn babies are happier and spend more time in the quiet alert phase. In this phase they benefit more than their non-worn peers in language development and knowledge acquisition. Babywearing also helps babies sleep better, and physical needs, including breastfeeding, are met more quickly by a close, responsive parent. Millions of babies over time have been worn to their benefit, making baby slings and carriers more of a necessity than the often-publicized fashion accessory. (Source La Leche League International)

The vast benefits of babywearing should not be disregarded with the report of incidents from “bag-style” slings. The sponsors of this release make safer baby slings and carriers and have been active in the standard writing process and are dedicated to safety through engineering. “We see this as an opportunity to reach out and educate American consumers. We hope to provide valuable information allowing parents and caregivers to not only make informed buying decisions, but also to increase the awareness of how to properly wear children, especially babies, in baby slings and carriers,” says Kristen DeRocha, ASTM Subcommittee Chair. The Associated Press article regarding the CPSC warning gives proof to the growing popularity of baby slings and carriers and validates the need for education.

Several trusted websites exist to aide in the education of babywearing for caregivers and new parents. To name a few: TheBabywearer.com, the Facebook fan page for Babywearing Safety, Mothering.com and LaLecheLeague.org.

This press release was sponsored by:
Hotslings, Maya Wrap, Moby Wrap, Wrapsody, Gypsymama, Together Be, Kangaroo Korner, Taylormade Slings, Scootababy, Bellala Baby, Catbird Baby, SlingEZee, ZoloWear, HAVA, SlingRings and Sakura Bloom.

For comments or questions regarding this release please contact Kacy Jones, Director of Marketing for Hotslings, Inc.
Phone: 214-350-4160×108
Email: kacy@hotslings.com

The nor’easter that swept through New England last week (we’re about 15 miles from Portsmouth, and were without power for 4 days) reminded me of a rainy camping trip (one of many!) I took with the kids a few years ago. This was the first (and so far last) hike-in-and-make-your-own-campsite trip I’ve taken with my kids, then 3, 5, and 7.

I make it a habit to always pack at least one wrap on a camping trip, and usually 2-3 – they make useful blankets, makeshift clothes if someone gets wet, can be used to carry things, lash up tarps, hang as a comfy hammock, and generally, are an all-purpose commodity.

Most importantly, I pack wraps on camping trips and hikes because, if a child or adult in my party twists an ankle, I’m much more likely to successfully carry them out in a wrap than I am without it.

Sleeping gear and clothes bundled in Breeze Antheia

On this particular camping trip, I had packed three wraps – one to wrap up all my stuff in (I didn’t have a hiking pack), the second to lash the pack to my back, and a third out of the habit of packing a wrap. When the rain came, we realized we didn’t have quite enough rope to tie up the tarp – so, I grabbed a stick, whittled the ends to points, tucked them into the tarp’s eyelets, and used the wrap to tether it to a tree.

Breeze Lalita holding our tarp up and open

Once the kids became intolerably cold and the tent started to leak, I packed our belongings into the two wraps, left one adult in charge of the kids, and my (now) husband and I hauled our stuff to the car. My oldest was cold, so I gave her my undershirt before we left. By the end of the hike, I was sweating like crazy in my sweatshirt – so my wrap became a makeshift t-shirt once we left the stuff in the car (a mile’s walk).

Annoyed by the pouring rain and the cranky littles.

We came back for the kids, and as we helped them across the stream, my (now) husband slipped on a rock. One of the kids laughed, I joined in, and my youngest and I also slipped into the shallow stream – he was hysterical to find his clothes and shoes wet and already upset by the rain. So, I stripped off his wet things and took off the wrap while everyone made a show of turning their eyes away as I stood in my bra, tying my little naked 3yo onto my back for the walk up.

Happily, no grownups twisted their ankles – but had I twisted mine when I slipped into the stream, Jonas would have been mightily grateful for the wrap to help balance me piggyback while he climbed the rutted hill to finish hiking out to the road!

Remembering all this caused me to reflect on what a blessing it is to have a babywearing lifestyle, and the many ways it can save lives in an emergency. Mamas and dads without this skill, when faced, for instance, with flooding, may need their hands for balance or to help older children. Certainly, they can’t use their stroller in the floods, and carrying a baby in those conditions takes two hands. They may need to climb a ladder or a tree – both of which are more likely to happen if they have the skill of babywearing.

With the right information, nearly any piece of cloth or clothing can be turned into a baby carrier. There are many, many resources on the web about this, and I am also leading a session on this topic at the International Babywearing Conference this summer. Learning how to do this, and teaching the people you love, could save the life of your baby or another one day.

And even if your emergency is a minor one, like running out of rope to hang your tarp, it is never a bad idea to carry a wrap on hand! Wrapsody Breeze carriers, in particular, are extremely compact, lightweight, and packable.

So, here’s hoping that you never have an emergency in which babywearing becomes lifesaving, but do remember that passing the skill along to friends, family, strangers is about much more than spreading the babywearing love. It could seriously help them, whether it’s a bedsheet sling when their child is sick in the ER or fleeing their home in a fire (watching the transformers blow up in last week’s rain and windstorm brought the possibility of fire in our house too near home!).