Safe sling how to...

Recently there have been recalls about many baby slings.  As a HUGE believer in slings I thought I'd share the rules concerning safe slings.

1.  Hold it up.  If you can't see through it...DON'T buy it. 
2.  Put it against your mouth & nose.  You should be able to breathe EASILY through it.  Remember babies scrunch down into little balls.  Have any trouble?  DON'T buy it.
3.  I believe in 100% cotton for slings.  The kind you quilt with.  Spandex should not be in a sling.  Spandex gives...allows your baby to slouch down/squish down even more than they do on their own.  NO SPANDEX in a sling.
4.  Rings.  Rings should NOT be plastic.  They should be welded together or one complete piece.  I purchase my rings from Lowes out of the hardware section.  They're used for all kinds of things that weigh more than a baby.  I trust metal that's made to hold a hundred lbs.  BUT!!!!!
5.  ALWAYS check your rings before putting your baby on.  ALWAYS.
6.  Check your sling.  Look for wore spots, holes, unraveling.  It'd be horrible to have your child fall out because you were not keeping an eye on your slings condition.  If you can't sew then find someone who can.  Until then...stop using it .  I also do not recommend hand sewing for slings.  I like the close tight stiches that come with machines. I also have my husband grab the rings & tail in opposite hands & pull.  I listen, watch & go over it to look for pulled/loose stiching.
7.  I trust only myself but still check.  In other words just because it's hand made doesn't mean it's safe.  There are lots of mamas out there that make great products.  I don't care what they do/say/test...TEST IT YOURSELF.  It won't be their arms empty if something happens.  I absolutly do NOT trust mass marketed items.
8.  Make it yourself or buy it from a highly recommended mama.  AVOID store slings/Made in China, etc.  There are lots of sling patterns out there.  I've made a sling for nearly every mama I doula'd for as well as friends...well over 100 easy & I've made slings, wraps & mei teis for myself.
9.  If you have a newborn use a towel/blanket underneath the baby to lift him higher.
10.  If you've never used a sling as someone to show you how.  Mama's who carry their babies will be THRILLED to help you.  I've never met a slinger who wasn't excited to share the benefits of a sling.  It's a great way to meet others who are supportive.



I trust tummy 2 tummy videos. I have their dvd & it's really awesome. They share a lot of info about different positions/ways to carry the baby.

One of the number one things is to use your head. There are no guarantees. Use your head, learn how to install your child in it right, read & watch videos, have others check you.

Oh, and with Tyler & Rhea they didn't have slings. They were stricly hip n arm babies. So I was nervous about the sling...it's not my arms can I trust this metal & fabric?...So I used a 10lb bag of sugar. I did everything in that thing. I flung that bag around like a carnival ride on diet pills. And it was safe, secure & still snug afterwards. I was exhausted but my sugar, had it been a baby, would have been sleeping soundly. When leaning over be sure to keep your hand on the baby for support.

Spandex can be used in wraps & wraps only. With a wrap make sure your child's mouth & nose is always exposed to air. Do not cover their face. I found that the wrap going over her ear would help hold her head in place while cleaning house. Her head was turned to the side & the wrap came up over the ear then around my shoulder.

Use your heads & keep your babies safe. Slings can be a usable & valuable tool for parenting & keeping your baby safe, secure & happy. Just like a carseat you need to check it every time before they're straped in. Just because you've the chest straps on doesn't mean anything if they're so loose they slip out or the seat isn't buckled into the belt.

By the way...This is my opinion. "Guarantees are for major appliances...", Anita Blake, vampire hunter series. Research & learn for yourself.

Honey