Wednesday, September 10, 2014

So, you want to be a babywearing educator?

This has been weighing on me that there are so many that want to start a group or become an educator and aren't sure what all goes into it as far as knowledge. This is not meant to be any official guide, equivalent to taking any of the courses with Babywearing Institute, Center for Babywearing Studies or any other school, or even the equivalent of a Babywearing International VBE, ABE or MBE. This is purely a guide for those who are interested in being an effective educator to ensure they have a basic level of knowledge to help those seeking it.


So, where do you start? First of all, you'd want to make sure this is what you really want to do. Becoming a babywearing educator is donating your time, effort and love for babywearing to others who are interested or desperately need it. You also need to figure out what you are prepared to put into it as far as time and effort and decide if that is enough to have a group going. Do you want a play date like setting? Are you interested in the structure of an official group? Is BWI for you? These are all things to evaluate and go from there as far as the direction you want to go in. Also, are you a member of Thebabywearer.com? If not, join. Its free and there are a lot of resources there.

Now to the big stuff. What should you know about babywearing to be an effective educator? I'm not going to lie, it's kind of a lot. It's especially a lot for someone who isn't familiar or comfortable with each type of carrier option there is. To start, you want to be familiar with the basic safety that includes all types of carriers. You may already be familiar with them but in case you aren't, get yourself familiar with "TICKS" and the ABC's of babywearing. Some of those are a little repetitive, but they are important.




Now, as far as each type of carrier and what you should know. It is always good to practice yourself with your baby or with a demo doll. Practicing is especially important because yes, you can learn from a youtube video, but you'll still likely fumble when it comes to trying it until you do it a few times. You also want to be confidence in what you are teaching and having done it at least a few times will help you have that confidence rather than showing something you have only seen videos of rather than done yourself.

Stretchy wraps:
You want to know the safety information for these and why that is important for safety. For example, a stretchy wrap is only safe for front carries. It is also so long because multiple layers are needed for adequate support. Stretchy wraps such as the Moby have a weight limit on them of around 35 pounds. That is what they are tested to hold up to at least that, however, many find they start to sag and become less supportive somewhere between 15-20 pounds. A stretchy wrap is commonly used with a PWCC (Pocket Wrap Cross Carry) which can be pre tied and the baby popped right in. You'll need to be comfortable with doing and teaching a PWCC for a stretchy wrap.

Ring Slings:
A ring sling can be safely used for a front, hip and back carry depending on the baby's level of development. Front from newborn, hip from assisted sitter and back starting at an unassisted sitter. A back carry in a ring sling is considered an advanced skill. It should not be done by someone who is new to ring slings or has a small baby. There are a lot of great videos out there to learn about how to use a ring sling. Here is one that I made which shows a front carry. I'd also recommend any made by Babywearing Faith or Wrapping Rachel as well. It is important to feel comfortable showing at least the front and hip carry, but the back carry as well is a plus. You are bound to have someone who is set on doing a back carry with a ring sling and it's better for them to learn from someone who knows so they can do it safely.

Woven Wrap:
A woven wrap is great from newborn up through toddlerhood and can be safely used in front, hip and back carries depending on baby's level of development as well as the wrapper's experience and comfort level. Woven wrap carries that I've found I teach often are: Front Wrap Cross Carry (FWCC), PWCC (Pocket Wrap Cross Carry), Rebozo, A hip carry such as Coolest, Robin's or Popins Hip Carry, Secure High Back Carry (SHBC), Double Hammock (DH), Rucksack and Reinforced Rear Rebozo Rucksack (RRRR). Knowing a variety of carries that can be done with different size options is great because there will be people who are either intimidated by a longer wrap or have already gotten a mid or shorter length wrap and need to make it work. Being able to offer them a front, hip and back carry option for a long and shorter/mid wrap depending on their needs is really important.

Mei Tai (Asian Inspired Carrier):
A MT can be used from newborn up to toddler for most with some modification for smaller babies and is most ideal for a baby that is an assisted sitter. It is a great option if there will be multiple wearers like mom and dad so there is no readjusting between different people and can be easier to use for those who aren't as comfortable with woven wraps. It can be used in a front, hip and back carry depending on baby's level of development. Knowing how to do all 3 positions is important.

Soft Structured Carriers (SSC):
A SSC can be used from newborn through toddler hood with some modification/available insert for smaller babies and ideal for a baby that is an unassisted sitter. All can be used in a front and back carry, and those that the shoulder straps buckle can be used in a hip carry as well. Knowing each position is important as well as playing with adjustments to get familiar with the all the buckles and clipping the chest clip.

The differences in measuring wraps

Ok out of curiosity I decided to do an experiment of sorts. There is a lot of question about the true difference between measurements so here goes. In this, I started with a woven post wash that had not been messed with at all after washing.

First, I laid it out in the hallway and got a flat measurement:



Next, I measured it "Soft tape in hand" aka STIH:


Then, I ironed it. I generally iron one side, flip it and iron the other. For time purposes I ironed one side of the wrap and measured STIH: 



What I found interesting was my findings. 

Flat Measurement: 3.45m (136in)
STIH:  3.68m (145in)
STIH post ironing: 3.83m (151in)

That is just around an entire size difference between flat measurement and post iron measurement. I've noticed a lot of complaints about wraps being received freshly washed and measuring short as well as difference in ways of measuring them once received. I thought this would be a great way to show the difference of measurements how important measuring correctly can be. I will try to update after a few uses with the wrap as well to show how using the wrap a few times can also have an impact on the measurements.

Saturday, January 18, 2014

Babywearing DIY

There are a lot of ways and types of carriers you can make yourself if you are a crafty person. It is highly recommended that you use Guttermans thread or heavy duty due to the amount of weight and wear they will get on them. I would recommend limiting any carriers you make to use for yourself, family or at the most close friends. There are standards required for carriers made for others as well as selling carriers, of which can be found through the BCIA and CPSIA. I also highly recommend you know the proper uses for the type of carrier you are using as well as safety information. It would also be helpful to see an already made carrier of the kind you are making in person to get a better handle on the quality of materials used, fabrics as well as stitching. 

Stretchy Wrap (such as a moby, sleepy wrap...) - Very easy to make and no sewing is even required. You can get 5.5-6 yards of cotton knit fabric (with stretch no more than 30%), cut it down the middle (depending on the width of your fabric) length wise and you're done! You can hem it all the way around for a more finished look but it's not necessary at all.

Water Wrap- This can also be done very easily and no sewing is required. You get 5.5-6 yards of football mesh, cut it in half length wise (depending on the width of your fabric) and you have 2 wraps. You can serge the edges all the way around or hem them if you want, but it's not necessary.

Woven Wrap- This can be done with minimal sewing skills. You can use gauze, osnaburg or 100% linen. All 3 are safe for front, hip and back carries. This will depend on the length wrap you want. If you want a standard long wrap which would be around a size 6 You'd get 5.5 yards of the fabric you choose. You should be able to cut it down the middle length wise to get 2, but it will depend on the width of the bolt. I'd recommend 25-30 inches wide for a wrap when finished so it would need to be at least 52 inches wide to get 2 out of one piece. After cutting it down the middle length wise you can also "taper" the ends which would be to cut them at an angle. This will help when tying it when you wrap so it wont be so bulky. These vary based on wrap brand so if you already have a wrap you have tried and like then you can measure the difference on that one, if not, you can make it an average taper of anywhere between 5-10 inches. You do the tapers opposite of each other (meaning, on one end of the wrap the "top" is longer with the "bottom" shorter, on the other end the "top" would be shorter and the "bottom" would be longer). Then, you'll hem it all the way around the length and width of the wrap. It may also be helpful to add a "middle marker". This could be done by just a short decorative stitch, a small scrap piece of a decorative fabric to mimic a tag, or just a few stitches. This will help you when wrapping to know where you should start from depending on the carry you choose to do.

                                                 top rail                                              
                    \                                              ^                                     \
                      \                               middle marker                               \    Taper
                        \                                                                                     \
                          \                                                                                     \
                            \                               bottom rail                                     \


Ring Slings- This can be done with moderate sewing skills. It is only recommended to purchase the rings used for slings from slingrings.com. They have been weight tested and proven to be safe. They are also not welded so they have no weak points in them which under pressure could cause them to break. There are wonderful tutorials on how to make ring slings on sleeping baby production's website.

Reversible Ring sling(same fabrics) http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/reversible.html
Reversible (different types of fabrics) http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/reverse2.html
Two layer with lightweight fabric- http://www.sleepingbaby.net/jan/Baby/doublelayer.html


8 steps to sewing an x box. 

Mei Tais- This can be done with a moderate to higher level of sewing skill. You should be sure to use heavy duty thread, reinforce all seams, extend the straps at least 6 inches into the carrier and use "x boxes" on the shoulder straps where they extend into the body of the carrier. There are a lot of great tutorials and patterns out there on how to make a MT and many threads over on thebabywearer.com. Here is the link to a post there with numerous patterns and directions.



(You could do this with 100% linen and Osnaburg fabric as well.

Scandi MT Tutorial- http://scanditute.blogspot.com/


Soft Structured Carriers- This can be done with moderate to higher level sewing skills.



SSC PDF download pattern- http://www.mediafire.com/?whdfr3hbm9t




Podaegis (Pods)- This is a blanket type carrier with straps on the top. These can be made with moderate sewing skills.