Babywearing and negativity.

Have you ever faced criticism, or at least sneakily snide comments in your babywearing journey?  How often do we see people sharing their stories of public judgment and criticism within the babywearing community? Today I wanted to talk about some of the frequently heard criticisms and why I feel they are both unnecessary and untrue.

1. "Isn't he/she too big for that now"?

First, let's talk about whether that is physically the case. If you are able to wrap your child or get your child into a carrier, and you and your child are comfortable, then the answer is no. Wraps are designed to carry large weights. They are woven and of a quality suitable to safely take substantial weight and movement. Carriers, likewise, are designed to distribute the weight of a child evenly. The fabric, the stitching, the hardware (buckles etc) are thoroughly weight tested. Toddler and preschool carriers in particular are designed specifically to carry bigger children. Unless your child exceeds the weight or height recommendations(in which case, its time to upsize to a bigger carrier!), then again, the answer is no.

From a developmental perspective, the act of carrying a child varies little from hugging or piggybacking a child. Is your child to big to be hugged? No? Then your child isn't too big to be worn! Physical contact is a basic human need, essential to secure attachments. We as adults often seek companionship, and for many of us cuddling up to another human at the end of the day provides us with comfort and security, this is not a need that children suddenly "grow out of" at age two or three, this is basic human need.

2. "She'll/he'll never learn to walk if you carry her/him all the time".

Quite the contrary! The upright position adopted whilst being worn, along with the movement associated with a parent or caregiver's own body movements, assists in vestibular development. It also assists in the development of balance and muscle tone, strengthens the neck, back and hips which is of course, beneficial when learning to crawl and/or walk. In addition, wearing allows you to be physically active whilst carrying your child, role modeling walking and being physically active for them. Your child gains the recognition that walking takes you places, that it is enjoyable and that it affords you a range of experiences. An ergonomically designed carrier or wrap also holds your baby or child in a way encourages healthy hip development, and does not compress internal organs or the digestive system in the way that propping an infant in to a sitting position in a pushchair/high chair/baby seat can.

3. "That's dangerous, what if you trip"?!

If you trip and fall whilst wearing there IS a chance your child may be hurt. If you trip and fall whilst carrying your child in your arms they may be hurt. If you trip and fall carrying them in a capsule they may be hurt. If you trip and let go of a stroller they may be hurt. If you have a motor vehicle accident they may be hurt. The list goes on. Life can never be made entirely risk free, but babywearing is not a high risk activity, and following TICKS guidelines and ensuring you are using a well fitting, safety tested carrier makes babywearing a low risk activity.

4. "Why don't you just use a pushchair"?

You can use a pushchair by all means! However babywearing has its own benefits that go beyond what a pushchair offers. Firstly, your child is in close proximity. This means they have the comfort and security of physical contact, and they can be protected from overstimulation. A worn child has their head close to yours, which naturally leads to conversation. How often do you find yourself chattering away to your child whilst wearing? The impact this has on language development and comprehension, on their understanding of the world around them shouldn't be underestimated! Wearing can also allow you access to places that are not necessarily pushchair friendly; shops with narrow aisles, off road tracks, stairs etc.

5. "Babies die in those things"!

The tragic fact is that babies have been suffocated in bag slings. Bag slings are not recommended as suitable carriers and there is no way to make them safe for use. An ergonomic carrier or a wrap used correctly supports a baby in an upright position, preventing them from slumping, slouching or having their airways compromised. TICKS guidelines are the accepted safety guidelines for ensuring your child's safety. Following those guidelines makes baby wearing a safe, beneficial and comfortable activity for both child and wearer.

REVIEW: Beco Toddler (for The Sleep Store)

Beco Toddler SSC

100% cotton

The Beco Toddler SSC comes in a range of prints, from fun to elegant, classic to edgy. It is also available in wrap conversion and semi wrap conversion options. This was where I struggled, I really couldn't pick a favourite, so Louise kindly made the decision for me. Within 24 hours (a minor miracle in our fairly remote corner of the world!) a perfectly packaged Beco arrived on the doorstep. Folded compactly down, it was tucked into its own little zip up bag. Now let me tell you about me and folding SSCs...there is no me and folding SSCs, it just doesn't work, I always have straps poking out, uneven bulges and I generally resort to storing them in pillow slips! The first thing I did, after inspecting and admiring our new Beco, was refold it....and it folded neatly back up, and fitted straight back into its wee bag! Louise selected the orange Sloth print for us, and it suited us perfectly...fun, playful and delightfully slothy! The Beco toddler is a larger toddler SSC, and absolutely unsuitable before your child is well and truly into size two pants. It has a generously sized panel at 43 cm wide by 48 cm high. My two year old was absolutely on the cusp of comfortable fit, and I wouldn't have wanted to have put him in there any earlier. My (admittedly very small) eight year old still fitted well, with near knee to knee support. The straps are three way adjustable, with the ability to cross for more comfortable front carries. They are well padded, and adjustable from both top and bottom. The waist is fairly wide, sits flatly and has a generous pocket, convenient for car keys or in place of a wallet. Other than front carry, and front carry with crossed straps, the Beco Toddler is suited to both back and hip carries. The sleep hood snaps on and off, perfect for when you know your child just isn't going to sleep, you simply snap it off and it is out of the way. Directly opposite the snaps for the hood, is another set of snaps, which holds in place a really decent sized, detachable, zip up bag! The perfect size for a couple of spare nappies, a snack and a pair of sunnies! The Beco Toddler is very adaptable, and will suit wearers of almost all heights, shapes and sizes, although the very, very petite may find it on the larger side. All in all, the Beco Toddler is a very user friendly carrier, packed with useful features and in a range of prints to suit varying tastes.

REVIEW: Colourwarp Tempest

Colourwarp Tempest
Warp: 100% Supima®
Weft: 40% merino 30% brush tail possum fur 30% cotton

After hosting Posy Possum, I thought I had possum fur as a fibre sussed...wow was I wrong! Tempest is everything Posy Possum wasn't. While it had the same strength as Posy, that was about where the similarities ended! Where Posy was warm and snuggly, Tempest was lighter, thinner, cooler and without the airy texture of Posy. Its colours were cool and crisp, delicate details evident in its icicle-like weave. Its hand painted warp, a wintery palette of blues, whites, purples, pinks and golds, played together beautifully, giving it a classic watercolour feel. Tempest is on the thinner side, with little stretch, yet it manages to be mouldable with an ability to wrap snuggly and effortlessly. It is sturdy, strong, and has enough texture to give some grip. Although it isn't the smooshy, snuggliness that Posy was, it is still soft enough even for brand new squish skin.

Tempest is a shorter wrap, falling slightly short of a size two, and I tried it in TSC, back TSC, HJBC, ruck TUB and torso carries. It held a toddler comfortably in single layer, and even in single shoulder carries. Tempest was a pleasure to wrap with, and while its length may well put it in the too hard basket for beginner wrappers, its wrap qualities would suit any experience level. Although its wrap qualities are lovely, it is its gorgeous hand painted beauty, its perfectly balanced colours and its delicate, detailed weave that make this wrap shine for me, an absolute art work.

REVIEW: Colourwarp Posy Possum

Colourwarp Posy Possum

Warp: 100% cotton
Weft: 40% cotton, 30% merino, 30% brush tail possum fur
Length: 3.81m
Width: 68cm
358 GSM

As I picked Posy Possum up for the first time, I was struck by how warm, cozy and soft it was. Neither overly heavy nor light, it was deliciously soft but with a definite strength. Posy Possum's warm dusky pinks, along with soft gentle greens and sky blues suited its name perfectly. When I wrapped my toddler for the first time, I found this soft, cuddly wrap held him sturdily with a single pass; just the right amount of stretch and mouldability to form to him, yet still sturdy enough to hold him securely in place. The weave itself was gorgeous; a lovely amount of texture, airy yet solid with no tendency towards sagging, enough grip to hold securely but not so much that passes were challenging.
Over the course of a week Posy Possum was put to the test! From unseasonably warm days at home, to cold, snowy and stormy days in the mountains, Posy Possum adapted perfectly. The possum/merino combination meant it was warm and snug in the snow, but was also breathable and beautiful chasing cows on an unusually warm afternoon! I tried a variety of carries (HJBC CCCB, scarf carry with several tie offs, torso, Robbin's, ruck, kangaroo, FCC) and found it comfortable and supportive in both single and multi layer carries. Thick enough to tie an absolutely stunning knot or form a perfect CCCB, yet not so thick that it was anything but an absolute pleasure to wrap with. Posy Possum was here as a tester, however I am confident in saying Holly is lovely to deal with and incredibly passionate about her work.