On Medications and Child Safety

Peracelsus, who is considered the father of toxicology, said, "All things are poison, and nothing is without poison; only the dose permits something to not be poisonous."

Last night I had a huge panic attack. Bedtime was late since I had pajamas still drying in the dryer. My children were playing around the house. I found my 3 1/2-year-old in the bathroom where he had discovered a bottle of liquid children's allergy medication that had a cap that had been shattered (the inner safety cap was still in place and functioning). He had in his hand, another bottle cap that he was trying to fit in its place. He told me that his younger brother had broken the lid. He was trying to put this new one on it. I took the bottle from him and found the pieces of the shattered lid and placed it back in the drawer they belonged in, taking inventory of the drawer and discovered that the extra cap had belonged to a missing bottle of acetaminophen.

Panic ensued at that point as I frantically rushed around the house trying to seek out that missing bottle of medication. All kinds of horrible thoughts filled my mind as I considered the repercussions of somebody getting a hold of that bottle. What if the kids actually got a hold of it and drank it? I was terrified of not finding it last night and leaving the bottle in the house if we left and letting one of our pets get to it. It's toxic to the dog and deadly to the cat. I tried to recruit the kids to help find the bottle, but that proved to be futile.

I eventually found the bottle set atop the bar in our kitchen. There were only a few drops at the bottom and I began to panic even more. I knew that the bottle had not been full, but it only had a few doses doled out from it. It had at least more than half of the medication originally.  

Aside from being a little cranky my little one was acting fine so I decided to call the after hours pediatrician number to see what they suggested I do. They took my information told me they would write it up and give me a callback. The wait between the initial call and the time they called me back with horrible. I tried to be patient and calm and continue bedtime, but really what was running through my head was getting the kids dressed in case we need to run to the emergency room. The callback basically told me that they weren't sure what to suggest since he wasn't showing any signs or symptoms of a problem. They instructed me to call poison control because they would have more data on the toxicity and what sort of things I needed to be concerned about. The call to poison control certainly put my mind at ease. As it turns out, even if the bottle had been full,  my little one would not have been able to consume what's considered a toxic dose. They told me that since he wasn't showing any adverse reactions that I should just keep an eye on him and call the pediatrician with an update in the morning. 

I was almost afraid to put him to bed last night, but I eventually did and this morning he still seems fine. I've been mulling the whole ordeal over in my head and I've come up with a few tips that may help other parents to avoid a situation like this.

Tips for Medicine Safety:

Somehow, my kid busted the safety cap.

1. Don't trust the child safety caps. Sure, they may be hard for us to open, but kids like a challenge. It's best if medications are completely out of reach or in a locked box where children can't access them. One of the biggest flaws in the design of my second bathroom is that there's no medicine cabinet so I had the kids' medications in the drawer. I will certainly be looking into other places to keep medications for the children and finding a safer alternative than just trusting the safety caps, because obviously, my two year old can get them open - and I always make sure the caps are secured properly.

2. Keep track of the quantity in the bottle. Yes, it seems anal, but it's important to know how much is in any particular bottle in the off-chance your kid gets in it. It can be as complicated as keeping an inventory and marking it anytime a dose is given or keeping a marker handy to mark the liquid level for liquid medications. Just make sure you know how much the initial quantity filled the bottle so you have an idea of the remaining amount comparatively.

3. Buy smaller bottles. It may not be cost effective, but it's safer. The less there is available, the less there is the potential to accidentally consume. Kids' medication is purposefully made to taste good and young kids have little concept of dosing. I was so relieved to learn that the full bottle did not contain enough for a toxic dose for my child's size and thankful that a larger bottle hadn't been available at the time I had purchased it. Normally, I go for the deal of bulk and larger sizes, but this is one area where I'm changing my tune.

4. Know your child's weight. Kids grow rapidly and just keeping track of weights from regular pediatrician wellness visits every six months is not accurate enough.  Poison control will need to know an accurate weight so they can calculate safe dosing and toxicity levels. Make sure to have a scale and weigh your kids regularly. For my kids it's a game, taking turns and watching the numbers come up. I've also figured out that doing this regularly helps them hold still better when being weighed at the doctor's office. Not to mention, it's a good thing to keep close tabs on so we are using car seats, carriers, and other children's equipment properly and safely.

5. Keep the number for Poison Control in an easily accessible location. I got the number from the pediatrician's office, but it's good to have if you call them first. I now have it stuck to the side of the fridge should I need it again, which I hope I don't. Poison Control varies by state, so make sure to have the number for your state.

6. Don't try to treat on your own. It is not recommended that you induce vomiting or try to address the problem on your own unless you are medically trained to do so. The time since they consumed the drug matters and inducing vomiting may have little effect or it may be more dangerous than letting the medication process through their system as I was told. Call for help immediately and wait for and follow instructions given.

I'm very thankful my little one is ok, but the experience opened my eyes. I certainly have learned from it and I hope others can as well. Please share these tips and if you have more, comment below!

On Co-sleeping, Bed-sharing, and Infant Death

We need some education. That's right, education. It hits the news all the time when a baby passes away in the night. SIDS is mentioned, sleeping in an adult bed is mentioned, etc. It all gets garbled and confused and we are hit with absolutes about sleeping babies. Don't sleep with the baby, never put the baby in an adult bed, etc, etc, etc.

Ok, well, here's the thing, these news reports or stories do a little bit of reporting on the incident and then jumble up all kinds of facts and if you aren't clear on the details, they'd have you believe that SIDS is caused by a family bed. All these things are mentioned in these reports but typically, they forget to differentiate. I want to lay the record straight. No matter how you choose to arrange bed time for you and the baby is your decision, but understand the differences in what they are talking about.

Let's talk SIDS. SIDS stands for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. What makes it scary is that no one knows the cause. Babies simply pass away in their sleep. Many news reports that talk about babies dying in their sleep mention SIDS, but then go on to talk about how the baby suffocated while sleeping with his or her mother. Well, that cause of death was not SIDS, it was suffocation. Why was SIDS even brought up? Who knows, but they bring it up anyway. If a child truly died of SIDS, it almost assuredly was not sleeping with it's parent(s) - that's not a guarantee, it's just not likely. There are many things that can be done that are suggested to decrease the risk of SIDS such as having a fan on, giving the baby a pacifier when going to sleep, having the baby sleep in the same room with the parents, breastfeeding, lay the baby on his or her back to sleep, etc. Other safe sleeping practices have nothing to do with SIDS and more to do with preventing suffocation such as making sure the crib sheet is tightly fitted to the mattress, keep blankets and stuffed animals out of the crib, etc.

And speaking of suffocation, that is most commonly the cause of death when a death is reported when the baby was sleeping with the parent. You hear many things like the baby rolled into the soft mattress or that the baby suffocated in the pillows. Alternately, you hear the tale of the baby being suffocated while the parent and baby were napping on the couch. Well, yeah, of course that is what you hear - those are all considered unsafe sleeping practices even among the people that encourage sleeping with the baby. Now, I'm not trying to make light of the situation, obviously it's a tragedy and no one wishes that upon any parent. The problem is that most of the news reports make too many generalizations and tend to confuse people and then just make people believe that if your baby sleeps with you, you will suffocate it. Co-sleeping becomes a dirty word. Which is odd considering it's actually encouraged by the AAP.

What? It's encouraged? I must be crazy to say that. Nope, I'm not. The reason it doesn't sound right is because there is a distinction between co-sleeping and bed-sharing that people don't always recognize. Co-sleeping means parents sleeping with the baby in the same room - not necessarily in the same bed. The AAP recommends that babies sleep in the parent's room on a separate surface. The "in the same room" part helps reduce the risk of SIDS since it is believed that the parents breathing patterns help to regulate the breathing of a sleeping baby. The "on a separate surface" part is to reduce the risk of suffocation. Most people that are afraid to sleep in the same bed with a baby are afraid to do so because of suffocation. Many people that do sleep with the baby in the same bed (or unfortunately couch) do not understand the safety measures that need to be taken before setting up this sort of arrangement. So, despite what the news says, co-sleeping is good and encouraged.

Bed-sharing however, is typically looked down upon or at the very least, discouraged. Bed-sharing is a type of co-sleeping, but co-sleeping does not necessarily mean bed-sharing. Bed-sharing has a long history, most notably in tribal communities where mother and baby sleep side by side - not necessarily on a bed though, typically on the ground. Studies have actually been done with mothers and babies sleeping side by side where if there is a change in the baby's breathing, the mother will, in her sleep, nestle the baby closer to her. It is believed that is action will kick-start the baby's regular breathing pattern because they are once again closer to their mother who has a regular breathing pattern. It's just my two cents, but physiologically speaking, presence of carbon dioxide in the lungs is what makes us breathe, not lack of oxygen, so it would make sense that the mother exhaling carbon dioxide near the baby's face would cause inhalation - that's just my personal conclusion - that this has something to do with reduction of SIDS risk along with close proximity of the mom helping to regulate heart rate and breathing. In any case, bed-sharing isn't inherently dangerous, but the blanket discouragement of it is due to lack of appropriate safety measures in place. Safe bed-sharing means that the baby is not near pillows or blankets, the bed is a firm surface (sorry to those of you who like your pillow-top mattresses), the baby sleeps next to the mother only - not another adult (or especially another child) because only the mother is biologically "programmed" to have an altered sleep pattern/habit because of a present baby, neither parent should be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, the parents should not be over-tired, etc. Another point that is not often discussed: breastfeeding is a pre-requisite. Yes, that's right, if you don't breastfeed, the baby shouldn't be sleeping in the bed with you. One reason that was suggested by one expert was because positionally, a breastfeeding baby is safer since they typically sleep lower next to the mother where her arm will typically block upward movement of the baby towards the pillow.

Either way, no matter what you choose for your family, make sure you are educated. SIDS is not suffocation. SIDS is deemed the cause of death when they have eliminated all other causes. Co-sleeping does not always mean bed-sharing - though the news reports would have you believe so. The media jumbles it all up and confuses and scares us (unless you pay close attention to the subtleties of their reporting). This is why we need to be educated.

On Car Seat Safety

Safety is the only reason you need.

Ok, let me explain. But, before I do, I'm sorry if I offend anyone with this post, but there are a few things I had to get off of my chest.

My little boy recently turned one. So did many of the babies in my mom group and several of the other babies I know have recently turned one or soon will. The topic of car seats seems to be coming up more and more frequently in general conversations I have had, on websites I've visited, and in various forum discussions. Needless to say, not from a single source, but many, I'm inundated with tons of comments and opinions about car seats, in particular, turning babies forward facing when they reach the age of one since many of them are 20 lbs by then, and this is the legal age at which they can be turned forward facing.

Like many other parenting topics this generates some very strong opinions, arguments, judgments (forgive me, because I'm contributing to this), and excuses. The thing that has really gotten me thinking lately on this particular topic, unlike many other parenting issues, is that car seat safety is not a topic that should generate this sort of discussion. I'm not saying we shouldn't talk about it, but what I'm saying is that unlike whether or not you vaccinate, bottle or breast feed, circumcise or leave in tact, attachment parent or practice Baby Wise, etc. the issue of car seat safety is black and white. Many other issues that generate such strong opinions are surrounded with facts, circumstantial evidence, and anecdotal tales that offer two or more sides in many cases that may or may not affect the child's future, their intelligence, their over all health, their mental stability, etc. Car seat safety? That's a whole different ball game.

I think when we hear the word "safety" or "safer", we understand, but the concept does not sink in. That factor is given as much thought as many others. I hear tons of other factors to consider when selecting car seats for young ones and whether or not to forward or rear face. Here are some:

My spouse wants to forward face our one-year-old.
My child prefers to face forward.
I want to be able to see my child and can't when they rear-face.
I was given a forward facing seat.
My child is too big to rear-face.
Harnesses are not available for larger/older kids.

I've seen all of these comments in more than one place, multiple times. These are things that you hear especially when an individual is faced with someone commenting that rear-facing is safer. And then an argument and not so nice words are exchanged repeatedly among strangers on a public forum. It gets ugly. And this is all despite the fact that the AAP has updated it's recommendations and now recommends rear-facing at least until the age of 2 and TxDPS (for those that live in Texas) has changed it's recommendations that children stay rear-facing as long as possible and to the upper limit allowed by the seat.

Here is the thing though (and here is where I get all judgey and get up on my soap box): Safety is the only factor that needs to be considered. No other reason has the right to be factored in when it goes against safety. Let's put it another way. When your child's life is on the line, why are there other considerations? It sounds drastic, but that is the reality. We are told that rear-facing is 5 times safer than forward facing. So, let's put that in terms that may sink in more: when forward facing, a child is 5 times more likely to die in a car accident than when rear-facing. Yes, it sounds harsh, but that is the cold hard truth. Automobile accidents are the number one cause of death in children. I don't know that they have statistics about proper vs. improper use of seats/harnesses, forward vs. rear-facing, harnessed vs. not harnessed, correct installations vs. faulty ones, etc. related with that little tidbit of information, but they do know that car accidents are the number one cause of death in children.

We are in our cars on a daily basis, often many times a day, and don't think about getting in an accident because most of the time we arrive at our destination safely. Think of all the near misses we encounter - someone cutting us off, another driver trying to come into our lane who didn't see us in their blind spot, the line of cars slamming on their brakes in the middle of the highway - it goes on and on. It only takes one time for it to be fatal to us or our child.

So please, really consider it. Too many parents have had to suffer the loss of a child. This is one argument that the proverbial in-laws shouldn't win (I apologize to all in-laws that may find offense - I do not mean to insinuate that all in-laws do not have the child's best interest at heart). Rear-face as long as possible, use the seat you have correctly, read all of the instructions that are included, etc. When you are faced with the fact that a hasty car seat decision could mean your child's life, safety is the first and most important factor to consider.

On Baby Mobility - Pulling up

When babies start to pull up onto things, it can be exciting as well as one of the scariest things that ever occurs in the first year.

My little one discovered how to pull up the same day he started to crawl. Two milestones in one day isn't seen very often, but it happened with ours. My husband witnessed the pulling up long before I did and while he told me about it, seeing it yourself really makes it real. Not that I didn't believe him, but I guess I just had to see it.

That particular day, he was being especially cranky and I decided to put him down for a nap because the cranky was relative to his sleepiness. He fussed for a little bit and then quieted down and when I went to check on him, I found that he had pulled himself out of his sidecar co-sleeper and onto our bed. There he was, laying face first on our bed, legs still in his co-sleeper. Luckily, I was able to move him back to his bed without waking him up.

That type of pulling up can be really scary because there is the fall risk. Other pulling up comes with its fair share of falling though and that is why I think it is one of the hardest times as a parent in the first year.

When babies first learn to pull up, it is new and exciting, but unfortunately, they don't automatically know how to return to the floor. They will fall forward and backward. And not lightly, mind you. It appears as though they fall straight, like a board. And for some reason, they don't seem to have a sense of mobile things either. A chair or toy on wheels is just as good for pulling up as anything else, leading to more falls when it rolls away.

For these situations, I found it easiest to keep my little one off of the tile and just redirect him to the carpet. Our fireplace has a floor level hearth, so I originally wasn't too worried about it. I should have been. One day I saw him pull up on his bouncer seat and then take a face-plant directly into the side of the fire place. Luckily, he was okay. Seeing that and seeing how the hard hearth was still a potential site for injury lead me to line it with foam puzzle mats. These created a nice cushion should he decide to fall again, at least, if he hit the floor.

Before too long, they do figure out how to place their hands down to catch their fall or they will learn to sit to return to the floor. Before that though, it is very hard to see them fall, but it is part of their development. They have to figure out how to stop the fall and unfortunately, they can't learn to do that if they never fall. I'd suggest keeping them from real dangers like hard flooring until they get their bearings and learn to work their way back to the floor on their own.

On Pets and Kids

Prior to having a baby, I worked for about 11 years in pet hospitals. I worked pretty much every position other than veterinarian and over the years I became obsessed with continuing education. I love to learn and the idea of getting free education and a meal was too good to pass up! What can I say, college does that to a person. When I graduated college, my desire to learn didn't go away and I not only attended continuing education seminars, but I sought out online opportunities and even attended a conference. While I focus a lot of my training on nutrition and behavior (as those are my main interests), I have also spent many, many hours learning about parasites in pets. The reason for this subject is because it is such a main focus in pet care that affects pretty much every pet and pet owner and there is a great need to understand the risks when working with and educating clients at the pet hospital.

People seem to take different approaches when it comes to pets and kids and especially pets and babies. Some people want the pets to stay away from the baby and have the kids wash their hands after touching or petting the dog or cat. Others, have the kids playing right on the floor with the animals and never think a thing of it. I'm of the second variety. I am the type to not get to stressed if I find the baby chewing on the dog toy, but that is because I know that there isn't anything on that dog toy that the baby couldn't get somewhere else and unless he's eating it, it isn't going to harm him.

There are, however, areas where there is valid concern with pets and the safety of children. Of course there are the pets that have behavior issues or those that are clumsy (like my lanky Labrador that has knocked over my baby more times than I can count); but it is the unseen problems that people don't always think about. For the most part, bacteria and viruses like particular species, so getting a cough or cold from the dog or cat is highly unlikely. Some skin infections can pass between people and pets like ringworm (caused by a fungus) or scabies (also known as sarcoptic mange caused by mange mites). If lesions show up on your pet and kids, take the pet to the vet and the kid to the pediatrician. Both the pet and the child will need to be treated simultaneously to clear the infection and prevent them from passing it back and forth.

Even more of a cause for concern than fungal or parasitic skin infection is that of intestinal parasite infection. The reason is that there is still a high prevalence of intestinal parasite infections in pets; and people, especially the young (babies and children), old, and immune compromised are at risk as well. While people don't usually get intestinal parasites, they are affected quite negatively by the larva of roundworms and hookworms. Most commonly seen are what are referred to as larval migrans. Eggs are passed in the feces of infected dogs and cats. Once the eggs hatch, the larva burrow into exposed skin and moves around the body. In dogs and cats, they work their way through the body and end up in the intestinal tract (sometimes after years of dormancy within muscles). In people these larva don't take the same path. They can stay just under the skin causing a severe itchy reactive area in the skin or they can work their way to the eye and cause blindness.

Many pets throughout the country are not on a parasite prevention all year long. It is very common in many areas to use heartworm or flea control just during the summer months, but this type of thinking is flawed. In areas where humans live, temperatures remain ambient enough for parasites to continue their life cycles. If it gets a little cold, they can go dormant and when it warms up, they can hatch and continue developing. Because of this, it is important to keep your pet on preventative all year long, every month. Most heartworm preventatives also protect against intestinal parasites (like hookworms and roundworms) so this is the best way to protect your kids from being exposed to them as well.

The main parasite that people think about when it comes to pets and people is Toxoplasmosis in the case of pregnancy and cat ownership. Unfortunately, there are a lot of rumors that get spread about this infection. Toxoplasmosis is a protozoan that cats can get from killing and eating wild rodents.When a cat contracts Toxoplasmosis, they typically will spread it for about three weeks and then they recover (they often never show symptoms). A cat that has had Toxoplasmosis becomes immune to it and will never contract or pass it again. Humans get it fecal/orally so if good hygiene isn't practiced when scooping the box, it can put them at risk. Pregnant women should especially be careful as a Toxoplasmosis infection can lead to major problems for the developing baby. Cats that have been indoor all of their lives are very unlikely to have ever been exposed. Cats that have been outdoor (or indoor/outdoor) all of their lives are very likely to have been exposed. If the cat's history is unknown, extra care should always be used especially since all cats do not show symptoms when they are passing the protozoan. Pregnant women are, however, more likely to get Toxoplasmosis from uncooked chicken so safe handling and cooking practices are just as important as when cleaning up after the cat.

Even if you don't have pets, they can still cause concern for your kids, especially when it comes to areas your kids may be outdoors. If possible, avoid the use of public sandboxes (stray cats love to use these as litter boxes and likely aren't kept on preventative) and other similar play areas that are not blocked or guarded from stray animals. If you have a sandbox at home, make sure to keep it covered when not in use (again, stray cats can jump the fence and leave little gifts).

For more information check out the following page for the Companion Animal Parasite Council

On the Kelty FC 3.0 (Product Review)

Yesterday we received our new hiking carrier for the baby, the Kelty FC 3.0. Now, I have to say I'm a bit unaware of the differences between a lot of different packs, but there were several things that made me select this particular one.

The Kelty FC 3.0 features a 5-point harness. This is well known to be the most secure type of harness for car seats. Another wonderful feature is the rain and sun shield. This is an extra hood you place over the baby's head so that they are protected from the elements. The sides of the hood are mesh so the baby can still see out and the hood is removable for times when it is not needed. The pack features several pockets acting as a backpack as well as a carrier where the hood can be stored as well as other necessities like water bottles and sunscreen. The pack also comes with a changing pad that has pockets for diapers and wipes. Also featured on the pack are side pockets located on the padded waist strap that are convenient for a cell phones and camera. The carrier will support a baby from 16-40 lbs and those that can fully support their head. The pack will support a total weight of 50 lbs. including child and cargo.

Aside from the many features, a friend reported that the Kelty pack they had, though an early model was extremely comfortable and she had just as much each wearing it as her husband did on their trip to the Grand Canyon and many national parks in the western US. They had rented a pack for part of their trip but found it to be significantly less comfortable than the Kelty.

So, sold on the features and the reported comfort, my husband ordered the pack. We tried it out as soon as it arrived and I fell in love with it as soon as I got it on my back. The main thing that impressed me with the pack is how well it supports the baby's weight. I found that while wearing it, I barely felt the weight of the baby at all. The pack is so well structured, that worn correctly, the child is supported by the pack and not the person carrying it. Now, I still have yet to try it hiking or on longer escapades, and I will add to the review when I get the chance, but for now, I have to say I'm extremely impressed.

On Car Seats, Part 2

New discussions with friends have encouraged me to add to my previous post about car seats. There were several things I've learned in researching car seats and I continue to learn new things as my baby continues to grow. I'm adding to what I have learned so the following is a continuation of my previous post on car seats.

Some things I've learned:

- Many pads and positioners are available for use in car seats to help protect the baby or make them more comfortable. These become very popular baby items and gifts for new moms. Unfortunately this is a very bad idea. The reason is that when car seats are safety tested, they are tested with the padding that comes with the seat and is made to go with the seat. Additional pads can interfere with the design of the car seat and negate safety features that will protect the child. Because of this, any warranties that are available on car seats are voided if additional padding is used other than that which comes with the car seat.

- Heavy coats should not be used with car seats. Because heavy coats are thick, they inhibit the straps from tightening against the baby's body as closely as they should. In the event of an accident, the coat can become compressed making the straps ineffective at holding the baby in the correct safe position. There are several solutions to keep your baby warm, however. Fleece jackets are typically lighter and thinner but provide a great deal of warmth. Heavier coats may be used only if the coat is laid in the car seat, then the child placed in the seat. The harness can be tightened on the child, against the child and the coat secured on the outside of the straps and clips. Another safe option is a blanket that goes over the baby that is safely secured in the seat in lighter layers. Blankets that can be added in and around the baby in the seat run the same risk of secondary paddings as mentioned above and can void the warranty of the seat as well as put your child at additional risk.

- I mentioned previously the recommendations for rear-facing. The AAP has new recommendations and that is to keep children rear-facing until 2 years of age. 1 year is still the perceived age by many, but 2 is the new 1, so to speak. Pediatricians should now be recommending this to parents. The overall recommendation remains to keep them rear-facing as long as possible but for at least 2 years.

- A 5-point harness is the safest strap system, even for forward-facing kids. Always remember, the upper buckle should be secured over the sternum at arm pit level. The straps should be secured so that you can fit a finger under the buckle but you should not be able to pinch the straps. Straps on a rear-facing child should be at or below the shoulder level. Straps on a forward-facing child should be at or above the shoulder level.

- Height and weight are very important factors when it comes to fitting into a seat correctly. A child with a long torso can be too big for a particular seat even though they fit within the height allowances. The seat should extend at least 1" above the top of the child's head. Take weight allowances very seriously as this can compromise your child's safety if you child is even slightly over the top weight for the seat you have. If your seat is not rated to rear-face above 35 lbs and your 1 year old is over 35 lbs, you must turn your child around, and it is recommended that you find a seat that has higher rear-facing limits so your child can rear-face to the age of 2 or longer.

I hope this helps!

On Baby-wearing (updated December 2010)

Baby-wearing can be associated with several different mothering styles. Some may consider it "crunchy" or "granola" others may associate it with attachment parenting. No matter how you look at it, I call it convenient.

If you don't know, baby-wearing is basically a way of carrying around your baby in a type of carrier, typically made of fabric, that holds the baby in a hands-free manner against your body. It's kind of the modern papoose. I'm not sure if you can call it popular, but I think that the idea is gaining popularity among modern mamas.

I have a sling that I wear my baby in. He has done great in it, but I can probably attribute that to starting him in it when he was quite young. My sling, which is a Hot Sling, a type of pouch sling, provides variety in ways a baby can be carried based on age and level of development. When my baby was young, I held him in the cradle hold, basically, he was laying down in the sling. In this position, it was actually quite convenient to nurse him in the sling allowing me to work around the house, prepare meals, or do whatever. The sling works great to hold him securely against my body, which is ideal for newborns. Now, I carry my baby in the hip position, which he's been in since he was strong enough to hold his head up well and sit supported, and it is great because it provides him the security of being next to his mama, he's contained and usually calm, and he can still look around and "interact" with people. When we are out and about, it is great because I am completely hands free so I can shop or do whatever without having to juggle holding him and doing something else.

One situation which I didn't anticipate the benefit of the sling is actually in a gathering type setting. Let's say for example, you are at a social gathering of some sort where you may or may not know the people there very well. This is likely in situations like weddings or showers. It is nice to be able to carry your baby around but your arms may get tired. The sling, or other baby-wearing carrier, comes in handy in these situations. But the best benefit in these situations is that people can see and talk to or interact with your baby, but they are less likely to try to hold them than if you were simply carrying them. This way, you can stay a little protective of your baby without feeling like you are being mean or rude to those you are interacting or conversing with. To me, it is a great advantage.

I get tons of compliments and questions about my sling. I can't think of a time I've gone to the store or craft fair or social gathering without at least one person making a comment about liking the sling or asking if the baby likes it or asking if it saves my back. It is very apparent to me that it is easy to see the benefits that slings provide.

Baby-wearing provides many benefits to mama (or papa) and the baby. First and foremost, the baby is next to his or her parent. This is where babies are meant to be. Baby-wearing allows the baby to be close but still be able to interact with or observe the world around while feeling safe and secure and protected. Baby-wearing allows for hands-free baby carrying. No more worrying about the carrier. No need to fear leaving your baby on the shopping cart to grab some veggies (which can also run the risk of the carrier sliding off or falling off of the cart if it is not secured or locked into place). A baby-wearing shopper can also opt for the hand basket if only a few small items are being purchased because his or her hands are available to hold the basket in one hand and grab items with the other. Baby-wearing allows a fussy baby to move with his or her parent while chores are completed around the house. Many mamas can nurse their baby while baby-wearing very comfortably. Baby-wearing is less bulky and lighter than carrying a baby in a traditional carrier (no more waddling or constant shifting) allowing for longer trips/walks. And again, as I've mentioned previously, baby-wearing allows strangers to say, "Hi" and interact with the baby but are less likely to ask to hold the baby keeping the parent from having to make the decision about whether or not they want to pass of their baby to someone they don't know well or risk appearing rude.

There are several styles of baby-wearing apparatuses. Here are descriptions of a few:

Slings: Slings are worn distributing the baby's weight across the body with the strap on one shoulder. Several varieties are available.

A bag sling provides some structure for a young baby but does not have the versatility that some others may have. The baby is carried in a single cradle position. Be extremely careful with this style though, some of them were part of a recent recall due to infant deaths from positional asphyxiation (suffocation). These types are not usually associated with "baby-wearing" because the baby hangs in a bag rather than being up against the body of the person carrying them and therefore, some or all of the benefits of baby-wearing may be lost.

This is a Hot Sling. This style is called a pouch sling. The sling is a continuous "loop" around the body that is sewn securely. The baby may be held in a cradle position where he is lying down and tucked completely in the sling, a front carry position where he is slightly more upright (shown far right), or a hip carry where the baby is sitting up with the legs hanging out (shown left). The pouch sling is a fixed size and is typically sized for one wearer. A baby can easily be nursed in this type of carrier when in the cradle position.

A ring sling like this one is worn very much like a pouch sling. It is secured by two large durable rings that create tension when the end of the sling is threaded through. It also allows for the variety of positions that a pouch sling has. One additional benefit of a ring sling is that it can be adjusted to change sizes for the baby and the individual using it. This comes especially in handy when dad is much taller or larger than mom. A baby can easily be nursed in this type of carrier in the cradle position.



 

Wrap Carriers: Wrap carriers have less structure than slings. They are typically made with a large long cut of durable fabric with or without  a small amount of stretch. The fabric is wrapped around the baby in a number of configurations from front carry to cradle to back carry and more. Weight distribution is more balanced in this type of carrier which is a benefit if the baby is older or particularly large. This type of carrier can be worn by multiple individuals, as it is retied each time it is worn. A baby can easily be nursed in this type of carrier. Here is a picture of one type of wrap carrier.

Soft Structure Carriers: These carriers provide some structure but they are typically made of durable fabric with or without clasps or buckles to secure them. They are typically easily folded and washed. They are worn either on the front or back of the body. A carrier of this design that ties is called a mei tai. These carriers support the baby's weight over both shoulders and typically have a waist strap and occasionally will have a chest clip to secure the shoulder straps. Some varieties of these carriers (especially those widely available at retail stores) allow the baby to face outward, but use caution with these types of carriers: studies have shown that babies spinal and hip development is better protected when their weight is supported on their rump while they are carried for extended periods of time. If you prefer this style of carrier for your baby-wearing, choose one where the baby is seated on his rump with legs spread wide and knees above the  rump rather than supported in the crotch area. More often than not, you'll find the safest and most comfortable position for your baby is when their body faces yours.


Pack Carriers: Pack carriers have more structure and can be used long term for activities such as hiking, camping, or other outdoor activities. Carriers of this design provide some protection for the baby from falls if terrain is not level, but it will not protect from everything. Babies worn in these carriers are worn primarily on the back and usually are not considered to be "worn". While these carriers do provide some of the benefits of baby-wearing, others are lost. These types of carriers typically provide very good weight distribution to make longer periods of carrying more comfortable.

I hope this enlightens and informs. Make sure to read and follow all safety instructions for proper use and follow your instincts - if the baby doesn't seem safe and secure, he probably isn't. With that in mind, I'd highly suggest baby-wearing to any parents. I enjoy it as does my little one!

Added note: All of these pictures were taken from Google image search results. No copyright infringement was intended. If these pictures are not intended for free use, please contact me and I will gladly replace them. I'd suggest in that situation that the images be better protected and not able to be saved/downloaded to personal computers.

On Car Seats

The search for a car seat is very closely tied to our emotions as mothers. After all, it is your baby's safety we are talking about here. I must admit that when we got our first car seat, I didn't really know the difference between most of them and honestly, I still don't, but I do know a bit more and most importantly, I know where to look for information.

My husband I had picked out a user friendly travel system that worked well for us, and as I soon found out, was a very popular choice for many moms I knew. It makes you feel a little better. At 6 months of age, my baby was rapidly reaching a size that he was getting too big for his carrier/car seat and it was time to upgrade his seat. Since he was still young, we needed to choose a convertible for him and after much research and confusion and more research, I found one I liked and ordered it. We are now happily in our new seat and it is working well.

So, here are a few things I learned on the way to getting our new seat.

- www.car-seat.org is a great site to get input from lots of different moms. They also have some certified technicians on the site that can help you with questions you may have. You can even search for threads that talk about your specific type of car and what car seats work well.

- Most state requirements say to keep a baby rear facing at the least until 20lbs and 1 year of age. I read somewhere that 35lbs is the updated recommendation, but states still say 20lbs. Mostly though, the recommendation is as long as possible. Most convertible car seats go up to 35lbs rear-facing, the one I got is actually rated for up to 45lbs rear-facing which I think is the highest available. Most likely I'll have to turn him around when his legs get too long, but at least I can keep him rear-facing for an extended time.

- All car seats have to meet certain safety standards. You may be able to find individual testing scores from each of the manufacturers, but I couldn't find any place that compares the safety of different seats. I was able to find ease of use comparisons, but that is about it.

- Never ever, buy a used seat from someone you don't know. A car seat should never be used if it has been in an accident. Even if it shows no sign of wear or damage, it is considered unsafe for use after an accident and any warranties will be void. Unfortunately, your best option is just to buy new.

- Car seats come with expiration dates. Yep, that is something I didn't know. Most last 5-6 years, so check the paperwork with the seat. My new seat has an extended usage of 8 years. Again, this is a reason to buy new, used seats may be past their date.

- Always register the seat. That way the manufacturer can contact you in case of recalls or problems. This is so important. It is your kid's safety after all.

I hope this info helps! Good luck with your search!