FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What? When? How?
We get many questions at our meetups and through our online groups, some of which are answered here.
WHAT IS THE BEST CARRIER?
That's like asking what the best car, or jeans, or shoes are! Every carrier will fit every person and baby differently, and have tradeoffs that may make it a great choice for one person and a less great for another. We invite you to join our closed Facebook group and ask all your carrier questions there! If you don't know where to start with carriers, Carry Me Away has a nice overview here.
IS IT SAFE TO ______ WHILE CARRYING MY BABY?
There are only two real safety rules when it comes to babywearing, which are to not drop your baby, and to protect your baby's airway.
If there is ever a question of whether you “should” babywear while doing an activity, ask yourself if:
Would you would do the same activity with your child in arms?
Does this activity requires any kind of special or safety equipment (harness, helmet, floatation device, restraint, car seat, gloves, eye protection, ear protection, etc.)?
A baby carrier is not a safety device, and cannot replace safety equipment. Carriers keep babies close to us -- no more and no less.
For more specific questions and answers, check out our blog or Facebook page to see if we've answered it before.
WHAT IS "BABYWEARING"?
Babywearing is a new name for an old idea: that using cloth carriers to hold babies and children keeps them close, safe, and happy. Humans have been babywearing forever, and babywearing benefits both children and their families!
For baby, being carried helps regulate temperature, heart rate, and breathing; helps establish and promote
breastfeeding through skin-to-skin contact and closeness; reduces crying and improves sleep; helps in managing reflux; provides security and safety even while on the go; helps develop vestibular balance, core strength, and circadian rhythms; and lowers stress.
For parents and caregivers, holding baby close promotes bonding with baby, which may help alleviate
postnatal depression; allows for parents to become more attune to baby's signals and gain confidence; allows for more physical exercise, mental stimulation, and freedom, including freedom to care for older children; and is a wonderful tool for soothing both babies and children.
WHAT IS A MEETUP?
Our meetups bring our educators, families, and our lending library together. Meetups are usually held at a public library. We set out tables of lending library carriers for everyone to try, and our educators will answer questions, give hands-on help, and make recommendations on a first-come first-serve basis. You are welcome to bring your own carrier, to try ours, and to come just to learn about carrier types and safety. Our meetups are always child and nursing-friendly.