Babywearing consultations are just as important as lactation consultations.
I’m finding out there’s this huge misconception about babywearing consultations being a frivolous and not needed expense. That it’s only for those who can afford it, it’s not necessary, and it’s not important. Or worse yet, that it’s “trendy”. Babywearing has been around since the dawn of time, you guys. I digress.
I’m also asked “Why would I schedule and pay for a consultation with you when there are online videos I can watch to learn from?” or “My friend’s mom’s cousin wore in the early 80s and she’s willing to show me how she did it.” Let me tell you friend, there are a lot of things from the early 80s that we don’t do anymore. Leg warmers for the average, everyday person? Crimped hair? The CAR SEATS?
Yes, there are online videos you can Google, and yes, it’s kind of your friend’s mom’s cousin to “show you the ropes” in her early 80s carrier, but these do not replace the need for a certified babywearing educator. The videos are supplementary at best and don’t include weighted babywearing dolls and a physical person with years of experience to walk you through the steps, and spot you to ensure you have a safe grip and your baby has a deep enough seat. That early 80s carrier you were lent will not meet you and your baby’s current needs in modern society, and it’s over 40 years old. So, there’s that.
If you intend on breastfeeding your baby, you see a lactation consultant. If you plan on wearing your baby, you see a babywearing consultant. This is to ensure you are wearing your baby safely, in the correct position, with a comfortable carrier that’s adjusted properly, and that you’re confident.
There are online groups and chats dedicated to babywearing as well, but I have read a lot of misinformation posted in these online spaces. Asking for fit checks online can lead to misleading advice and suggestions that contradict one another and end up leaving you just as confused as you were previously - or even more! Taking advice from a "veteran mom" who has worn for years does not ensure that they have been wearing their babies properly for all these years, and could now simply be giving you incorrect or outdated information. I’ve even seen people highlight their incorrect wearing online, with video captions including something along the lines of: “we know he’s sitting too low in his carrier, but we can see him and we’re comfortable with it.” (???)
Now, I’m not an internet troll and I don’t give unsolicited advice, so when I come upon these posts there isn’t much I’ll do. I may make a comment saying “Hi! I’m a babywearing educator and am happy to answer any questions you may have, just send me a PM!” but they’re usually already 30 – 40 comments deep anyway, and there’s no way the original poster is going to keep up with the comments and read every one. My corrections and offers would fall on deaf ears (or in this case, blind eyes)? While I read through these comment threads, cringing at the advice, I can’t help but ask myself: do they know I’m here? Do they know what I can do for them? Locally or not! I prefer in-person consultations, but I’ll do virtual ones if it’s too far of a drive. I’m here to help you. If you want to wear, I want you to wear. I love seeing parents and caregivers wearing their babies, but I love seeing them wear their babies safely even more.
Babywearing safety, the same as sleep safety and car seat safety, isn’t something you can be “good enough” at. You either know it or you don’t. The more you practice, the better you get with time, and the good news is you never stop improving! I’m always practicing to improve and I started wearing eight years ago! You can’t wrap a baby, say “it’s safe enough”, and move on with your day, the same way you can’t fill a newborn’s crib with stuffies and blankets or forward face them in a car seat. If your baby is in an unsafe position in your carrier, you risk injury and/or fatality. To be educated is to be safe, and that’s the main goal. To be educated is to know what to look for in case something goes wrong and to know how to fix it. To be educated is to be confident in your skills, comfortable in your carrier, and become a calming and regulative environment for your baby. The snuggles are a definite bonus though!
Until next time,
Flora
(Pictures: Top: courtesy of Bethlehem de los Reyes, mother of four. Bottom: courtesy of Alice Hardin, mother and musician.)
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