How to Stay Current on Baby Carrier Recalls
In an effort to better inform parents about the latest child product safety information, the US government has simplified communications between multitudes of agencies charged with consumer product safety. One major step forward has been the creation of a one-stop website for parents shopping for information about product safety: www.recalls.gov.
In the past many common child-related items, including baby carriers, have been subject to recall. Unfortunately, not all parents are aware of the latest safety information, and the baby carrier you buy today could face a safety issue tomorrow.
Recalls: No Guarantee of Safety
When the government determines a baby carrier could be defective or dangerous for any reason, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) can order the manufacturer to stop selling the questionable product and pull existing inventory from store shelves. But it is essential for parents to understand that even if a product is recalled, the responsibility for removing that item from the home or childcare center falls largely to the consumer. The danger remains, too, that recalled products may still be sold at home garage sales or in stores dealing in secondhand merchandise. In other words, to be certain your baby carrier is safe, parents must do some homework.
Being Prepared Means Being Current
The good news is that the government has made it easy to keep up to date on baby carrier safety bulletins as well as research past recalls. Parents can receive automatic notification of baby product safety recalls simply by calling the CPSC and requesting to be added to their mailing list. Their phone number is 800-638-CPSC. You can also sign up online at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Remember to urge any friends and family members who may have occasion to care for your child to take a safety inventory of the baby carriers they own.
Tips to Ensure Baby Carrier Safety
- Always complete and send in registration cards that accompany purchases. Manufacturers cant notify you of possible safety issues unless they have your contact information
- Search for specific baby carrier safety information by product type at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/recalldb/prod.asp.
- Search for specific baby carrier safety information by manufacturer at http://www.cpsc.gov/cgi-bin/recalldb/firm.asp.
- Check for recent recalls at http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prerel.html.
Remember to use these sites to find info before buying a second-hand product as well as learning about products you already own.
Quick Inspections, Common Sense Are Keys to Baby-Carrier Safety
For many years now, baby carriers have been almost as indispensable a part of child rearing as booties and blankets. Carriers and slings come in all styles, shapes, colors, and materials. They have reduced and in many situations eliminated altogether the need for heavy, cumbersome strollers. Busy mothers and dads often report that the freedom and mobility baby carriers afford is matched only by the cell phone. In addition, there is growing evidence that because they allow close baby-parent contact even when parents need two free hands, using child carriers promotes more secure emotional attachments between the parent and infant.
Many parents, however, are understandably concerned when they read and hear reports of baby carrier related recalls or injuries. But many of the injuries that have occurred can be attributed to the categories of product use and product condition, both under the control of parents. By understanding the fundamentals of basic baby carrier safety and keeping alert to rare but important product alerts, parents can be confident of their baby’s safety and direct their concerns to more pressing issues, like getting some sleep.
Inspect Your Baby Carrier Regularly
Simple and regular inspection by parents of their baby carrier’s condition would likely have prevented a significant percentage of the child injuries associated with baby carriers. Parents should look for any torn cloth or suspect or separating zippers that could come undone and cause baby to slip. Be on the lookout, too, for worn or weak hooks, fastening rings, clasps, and brackets. Watch for frayed, straps or unraveling stitching. If you observe any of these warning signs, they are telling you it is time to repair the baby carrier with proper and sufficiently strong materials or, more likely, replace the carrier. Be especially sure to conduct a careful inspection for these conditions before considering buying a second-hand baby carrier.
Watch Your Step
A second noteworthy cause of injury to babies in carriers really has little or nothing to do with the equipment itself. Many baby injuries occur when the parent slips and falls. Although most parents would think twice about putting a child in a carrier and going outside when it is snowy or icy, every year some parents take the risk. Don’t make that mistake. And remember to check the weather forecast. If it calls for snow, hail, sleet, or heavy rain during your planned trip either reschedule or have a back-up plan in case you get caught.
Finally, don’t forget the importance of sensible shoes. Fashion should always take a back seat to safety.
In many cases, baby carrier safety comes down to common sense and taking just that extra minute before racing out of the house. Keep that in mind and you’ll rest easy when it comes to carrier safety, even if you’re not getting any actual sleep!
A diagnoses of hip dysplasia can be very upsetting to new parents. Although it is a relatively common condition, no parent wants to hear that their child has a physical challenge. Babywearing can still be practiced if your baby is diagnosed with hip dysplasia; in fact, in Europe, woven wrapping is often the only treatment used to correct dysplasia.
Each baby’s condition is unique, so it is essential that you discuss all products you intend to use during the course of your baby’s treatment, including baby carriers. Babywearing is compatible with treatment for hip dysplasia; you might note that the most common treatments, including the Pavlik Harness, place the baby in the same spread squat position recommended as optimal by most babywearing educators.
It is essential that babies with hip dysplasia be extremely well supported in their carrier. Fabric must spread from one knee to the other. The baby should be in the spread squat, with legs flexed and knees up at the level of the baby’s belly button. The fabric of the carrier needs to be carefully tightened around the baby to provide support to the joints and muscles as well as to maintain the baby’s correct position.
Woven wraps and ring slings made from woven wrap fabric ( SBP made with Girasol fabrics) are recommended for carrying babies with hip dysplasia. They are woven in such a way that allows the fabric to move with the baby without losing the ability to support the baby’s body.
Sharing your carrier and your babywearing plans with your child’s health care provider will allow them to incorporate babywearing into the plan for your child’s treatment. Many parents find that the benefits are babywearing are especially important for their children with health concerns like hip dysplasia.
Every parent knows how quickly their baby can move through different stages. All too fast, your newborn baby changes from sleeping peacefully on your chest, to looking out into the world from the vantage of your hip to a busy toddler happy to experience the world from high up on your back. There are many carriers that can take you through all those stages seamlessly, functioning well on your front, back and hip.
Most flexible, minimally structured carriers can easily make the transition from one position to the next. Mei Tais can all be used in each of the three positions, with only a bit of adjustment in the way they are tied.
As a general rule, stretchy wraps are not appropriate for back carrying, so they cannot be recommended for this category. There are two brands whose unique features do make exception to that rule; Gypsy Mama Bali Stretch and Sleepy Wrap.
A woven wrap is a better choice for a carrier that will allow wearing in all three positions. Since they can be perfectly tightened to support your baby’s weight, woven wraps are excellent for making the transitions as your baby grows. They can be tied in countless ways, making very comfortable carries possible even with an older child on your hip.
Some brands of soft structured carrier (SSC) can be used for all 3 positions, although it should be noted that many parents do not find the hip position to be terribly practical in an SSC. Brands that allow the flexible positioning include Angelpack, Pikkolo and Ergo.
Ring slings can be used very well on the front and the hip, with short term back carries a possibility.
Flexibility of position is one of the key features of any baby carrier; understanding which positions the carrier you have selected can be used in will ensure that you are making the best choice for your needs.
A soft structured carrier for comfortable and easy babywearing!
Back Pack carriers place your baby in the most comfortable position for you to wear; on your back where you were designed to carry weight. Padded waist bands and shoulder straps distribute your baby’s weight to your hips and back so you can carry even the heaviest toddlers without straining your back. Back packs can be used from 6 months of age on up to 45 lbs in most cases.
Sounds great! Tell me more…
Back Packs are quick to get your baby in and out of, you just need to buckle the carrier and you are ready to go! They are perfect for travelling, short hikes, day trips to amusement parks or museums and for people who like to get around with their baby on foot. Back packs are a favorite of parents who need to travel in locations where carts or strollers are not practical. Back packs are quite adjustable, with buckles and webbing letting you adjust the waist and shoulder straps to fit most sizes. Most back packs function as front packs as well, with some even allowing a hip carry. This means they can be a versatile carrier. Most back packs come with a head rest to hold your baby’s head in place when he falls asleep. Some also have storage pockets as a convenient feature. Back packs can also come with internal harnesses for you to place your baby into before you lift the carrier up onto your back, which can be a helpful feature if you are new to back carrying.
Recommended Positions:
*Front Facing In
*Back
*Hip
*Front Facing Out
Ideal For:
-2 shouldered support
-Dads
-Outdoor activities
-Travelling
-Errands
-Use by more than one person
-First carrier
-Quick on and off
Environmentally and health conscious parents often look for products for their children that minimize their impact on the earth and provide the safest option possible. Concerns with toxins in children’s products are often in the news. Manufacturers have responded to these concerns by providing many great products that are also earth and baby friendly.
European Options
Product safety standards have long been high in European countries, particularly when it comes to baby products. Oeko Tex standards are an international system of testing and certifying fabrics and textiles as being free from toxic chemicals. Similar in many ways to organic certification, an Oeko Tex certification lets you know a product has been tested to be safe for use with babies.
Many of our favorite brands of carriers are from Europe and meet this standard. Didymos, Girasol, Dolcino, Hoppediz, Ellevill and Storchenwiege all make beautiful woven wraps that are Oeko Tex certified. Calin Bleu gauze wraps and Bara Barn rebozo style wraps and ring slings are certified as well. In addition, Didymos and Storchenwiege are made using organic cotton threads. Mei Tais are also available from Didymos and Girasol, made with their woven fabrics.
Organic Fabrics
Closer to home, many American made brands have sourced organic fabrics and non toxic dyes to use to create their carriers. Made with as many certified organic or non-toxic components as possible, these options allow you to shop both locally and ethically.
Angelpack, BoBa and Ergo soft structured carriers can be purchased in organic fabrics, while Maya Wrap makes a line of organic ring slings. Gypsymama wraps are dyed using non-toxic dyes.
Several other brands sometimes offer limited edition products in organic fabrics, increasing your available options. As more parents continue to choose organic carriers, we expect that manufacturers will respond by providing more and more great products that are healthy for the earth and your baby alike.
Comfortable, versatile and snuggly to keep your baby close!
Wraps let you keep your baby snuggled in closely to you at every age and stage. These long rectangles of fabric are tied around your body, holding your baby in place in countless different holds. Stretchy, woven and gauze wraps can be chosen depending on your preferences; you can choose the right one to keep you comfortable while you are carrying your baby from birth onwards.
Sounds great! Tell me more…
All wraps are essentially the same design, but the fabric choice will affect the properties of the wrap. Stretch wraps are ideal for newborns, keeping them snuggled close to your chest with soft, stretchy fabric. As your baby grows, the fabric will become too stretchy to continue to be practical. Woven wraps can take over from this point. Specially woven with babywearing in mind, woven wraps can be used from birth until your child does not want to be carried any more. Gauze wraps, made from lightweight materials, are perfect for hot climates or summer babywearing at any age. Wraps can be one size fits all or they can be sized to the length you need for different holds. Any sized adult can wear a wrap, although they may not be able to tie every possible hold with it. While the long fabric can seem intimidating at first, wraps come with excellent instructions to help you learn to use them. Once you have perfected your favorite hold, you will find your wrap quick and easy to get your baby in and out of.
Recommended Positions:
*Front Facing In
*Back
*Hip
*Front Facing Out
Ideal For
-2 shouldered support
-Dads
-First carrier
-Breastfeeding
-Many available positions
-Infant to toddler
-Quick on and off
-One size fits most
-Twins
Men instinctively want to hold their babies on their chests; dad is often the most avid babywearer in the family. Most men prefer to choose their own carrier; one that suits their style and fits them comfortably. The age and needs of the baby still need to be factored in; our Shop By Age guide can assist you with that.
Men typically have stronger upper bodies than women; they also tend to carry weight differently as well. With longer torsos and broader shoulders, they may find that carriers fit quite differently on their bodies. For older babies, the favorite carrier of many dads is a frame backpack, since they are often uniquely suited to be ideal for men.
Another favorite with men, especially if they plan to wear indoors as well as out, is a soft structured carrier (SSC). The heavier padding and neutral colors of the Ergo and Ergo Sport make them an especially popular choice for dads. For smaller babies, the narrowing base of the Freehand SSC makes it a good choice. The BoBa SSC is a third alternative that is ideal for dads with neutral colors and foot straps that make it comfortable for even the tallest child to ride.
Dads carrying younger babies will prefer a carrier ideally suited to them; ring slings are likely to be their best bet. Most brands of ring sling offer gender neutral patterns or colors and ring slings easily adjust to fit around men’s larger upper bodies. Longer tails can be tucked into the rings once the sling is adjusted to keep them out of the way.
Time with a new baby is short, so being able to keep his baby close while he enjoys his favorite activities will help every dad develop a close bond with his baby.
Keep your baby close to your heart!
Front Packs are one of the most popular carriers available, for good reason! Simple buckles make them easy to learn how to use and fast to get your baby in and out of. Padded shoulder straps and waist bands keep you comfortable by evenly distributing your baby’s weight. Front packs can be used from the time your baby has good head and neck control until he reaches about 35lbs.
Sounds great! Tell me more…
Front Packs are an ideal first carrier since they have such a small learning curve. A wide variety of styles to choose from means that you can select the features that you prefer. Most front packs also function as back packs, so you can continue to use the same carrier as your baby grows. Some front packs can even do a hip carry too! Front packs have structured shoulder and waist straps that distribute your baby’s weight to your hips and back, keeping you comfortable for long periods of time. Added features such as sleep hoods and storage pockets make the carriers as functional as possible for new parents. You will be able to nurse your baby in most front packs, once your baby has good head and neck control. The weight and age recommendations for front packs vary from one brand to the next, but most can be used from about 15lbs to 45lbs. They are adjustable and can fit most adults well. Some front packs let you place your baby in the carrier before lifting him up onto your body.
Recommended Positions:
*Front Facing In
*Back
*Hip
*Front Facing Out
Ideal For
-2 shouldered support
-Dads
-First carrier
-Breastfeeding
-Outdoor activities
-Many available positions
-Infant to toddler
-Quick on and off
-One size fits most
Finding a carrier that fits well is essential to making comfortable babywearing a part of your life with your baby. Women who are petite need to choose carriers that will adjust to a small enough size to fit them well and to hold the baby securely. There are lots of available options, with most styles able to be adjusted to fit even very petite women.
Soft structured carriers (SSC’s) feature shoulder and waist straps that are quite adjustable. Some women with narrow shoulders do find that certain brands are too large for them, so comparing the strap lengths the manufacturer provides can be helpful while making your selection. Petite women often find that SSCs with unstructured waists, such as the Pikkolo, fit them especially well. Fully structured brands known for fitting smaller people well include the Oh Snap!, Beco Butterfly, Beco Gemini and the Angelpack.
When choosing a ring sling, size has more to do with fashion than function for petite mothers. Ring slings can be adjusted to fit any size, but smaller people will find that regular sized ring slings may leave them with a tail that hangs down quite far. This can look beautiful, which is why so many prefer the look of a longer tail. If you do not, it is easy to bring the tail through the rings to shorten its overall length. Some brands, including the Upmama hybrid pouch and the Sleeping Baby Productions ring sling, come in sizes allowing you to choose the right one for you.
Woven wraps can be ideal for small women, since most brands offer several choices on length. With a shorter wrap (3.7 meters), petite women can tie most carries suggested, without having excess tail length left over.
Mei tais come in varying dimensions and strap length, depending on the design. Petite women might want to choose a brand that has a smaller body size and/or shorter strap length. Freehand, Cat Bird and Babyhawk mei tais all fit that description.
Women tend to be the primary babywearers in most households, so designers keep that in mind when sizing their carriers. There are many options for petite women to choose from. Selecting a carrier that fits you well will ensure that you can comfortable wear you baby as much as you would like!