Our babies are our most precious gift, and safety is imperative. It is important to be sure when wearing your baby in a baby carrier that he/she is properly positioned, has a clear airway, is comfortable and the fit is secure.
With the recent warning from the CPSC regarding safety and baby carriers it is important to decipher what is a safe way to wear your baby and what is not.
Below are some guidelines to assist you in knowing how to safely wear your baby. If you have any questions about a carrier and it's safety please feel free to
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. I am happy to help assist with proper positioning.
Also, the information on this page can be downloaded FREE in a pdf brochure format. Please feel welcome to distribute the brochure in your community! CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE.
Susan Horn
Owner, Sweet Pickles
Some baby carriers are designed with the ability to wear your baby on your back. This requires practice and is a learned skill. Be certain to have someone assist you when learning to wear your baby on your back. Practice over a soft surface (like a bed).
Always inspect your baby carrier prior to wearing to be sure there are no tears, broken buckles or loose seams.
Always double check your positioning using a mirror or an assistant once baby is secure in the carrier.
Below are some additional examples of safe babywearing in various styles of carriers.
    
"My heart goes out to those parents who have lost their babies while trying to hold their babies close in a sling. This CPSC warning is very important if it can help us prevent even one death. It is important to understand that any baby carrier can be used in an unsafe manner and certain carriers promote improper positioning simply by their design. This does not mean that the act of babywearing is unsafe. It means that we must insist on clear safety rules and products that encourage safe babywearing.
As a physician, I would welcome good randomized controlled trials supporting the best positioning for infants in baby carriers and the best designs to promote this optimal positioning. Until then, our best guess is that baby should be held upright, visible at all times, mouth and nose clear, and head and neck should be in good alignment. In order to best learn from the CPSC warning, we should know what types of slings were involved and the circumstances surrounding the deaths. Babywearing is wonderful for parents and for babies. This should be about education and understanding how to make babywearing safer for everyone."
Maria Blois, MD
Author, Babywearing: The Benefits and Beauty of This Ancient Tradition
There are several additional resources online that focus on safety for our babies. Below are web sites that are up to date, informative can be incredibly helpful to keep your baby safe.
BABYWEARING RESOURCES
Safe Kids
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