Sunday, June 29, 2008

baby carrier toxins

Yet another reason to research your carriers
http://www.foe.org/pdf/Killer_Cribs_Report.pdf

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

What To look for in a baby carrier

What To look for in a baby carrier

Mei Tais

Strap fabrics need to be a strong heavy weight( twill, denim,canvas)
Mei Tais Panels, should have 3 layers an inner layer of canvas, with an additional layer of the above fabric, 1 addtional layer is good 2 is best.
Where straps join the body, there should be x-boxs/reinforcment type stitching. If you don't see this type of stitching on the front look at the under side. Some manufacturers make these stitches on the bottom 2 layers.

Pouch slings

Slings should be constructed with a layer of home decorator weight fabric twill, denim, canvas. There are carriers of this type that have fancy fabrics, brocade silk etc. Just check that they are double layered pouch slings.
Seams on pouch slings should be french/felled combination seam, There should be more than 1 line of stitching on the outside of the carrier. Ask the maker if there are 3 lines of stitching. 3 is good, 4 is best. Also be sure a premium quality, or heavy duty thread is being used. You do NOT want a cheap thread all weight bears on this stitching alone.

Ring Slings

Ask the maker which rings are used? are they weight tested? Any decent ring has been weight tested.
SHoulder stitching, Your shoulder should have at least 5 lines of strait stitching.
3 lines of stitching can be sufficient if a premiem quality thread is used.
Fabrics should be a woven med weight material.
Quilters cotton should NOT be used for slings.This fabric is intented for quilting, some of these fabrics are 2-5 oz. weight fabric. Sling fabric should be a fabric around 7 Oz weight. Some online fabric retailers have this information posted.

Brocades and silks should NOT be used in a sling as a single layer. These fabrics can be used with an additional layer of suitable sling fabric.
With the exception of
Dupioni and Shantung (silk) is sometimes used in a single layer with light weight babies (under 20#)

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Thursday, April 17, 2008

The invention of the ring sling

How the ring sling was invented by Rayner Garner.

This link provides a photographic essay. Detailing how Dr. Rayner Garner designed The Baby Sling for his daughter Fonda in Kaneohe, Hawaii in 1981.

http://intuit.org.uk/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=8&Itemid=

Saturday, April 12, 2008

Babywearing around the wourld!

http://www.flickr.com/groups/ethnicbabycarriers/pool/show/
This is a beautiful pictorial of babywearing around the wourld. This would make everyone want to wear a baby. There are many types of carriers. I will go into each carrier in the feature. I plan to post weekly. SHowing different types of carriers. how to wear them, positionioning, DIY info as well as needed safety information. Please read over safety information before wearing your baby. Also i am available to answer any questions.