When wearing a baby, it is essential that the baby’s legs are spread wide open, in a frog-like position. The sling supports the baby in such a way that the baby appears to be sitting. The sling is spread from knee to knee. The baby’s back should form an arch, it mustn’t be straightened with the sling. If you use a so called tuxedo belt, spread it all the way from baby’s bottom up to his neck, using the whole width of the sling. A small baby should be supported properly with the sling so that he won’t slouch.

What is the proper height?

The child’s bottom should be at the same level as the bearer’s navel.

If the child is hanging too low, it’ll make carrying extremely uncomfortable. Also, there’s a danger that the bearer will push the child’s legs backwards while walking. If the child is too high up on the front, you won’t be able to see properly and you’ll have to take peeks from the sides. This will surely kill your neck and shoulders. If you cannot carry him high enough to be comfortable but low enough to be able to see properly, it means that the child is too big to be carried on the front - it’s time to learn to carry him on the back.

How tight is a good wrap?

It has to be tight enough. If you have fabric hanging loose, the knot is shifting away from its place or if carrying feels uncomfortable and heavy, you probably have it too loose. If you can’t take a deep breath, it’s definitely too tight. Make always sure, that the sling won’t put too much pressure on the baby’s legs or hands.

Different kinds of slings have to be wrapped a bit differently. A stretchy sling like the Baby Bundler needs to be wrapped pretty tight compared to a woven sling like Didymos. With a stretchy sling, you hardly need to leave any room for the baby, depending on his size. Also, there are stretchy slings and then there are stretchy slings, so make sure you get to know how yours behaves and practice daily, if need be.

How to tie the sling?

Learn to make the seaman’s knot. It’s easy: Make two single knots on top of each other so that the latter is the mirror image of the former. If in the first knot, the left side goes over the right side, then in the second knot the right side should go over the left side.

If you find this too difficult, be sure to make a double knot.

Handling the sling and finishing the wrap

When wrapping your sling, learn to slide your hands on the sides of the sling. This way the sling doesn’t twist. A twisted sling will make carrying uncomfortable.

Spread the sling properly on the shoulders. If it’s too near your neck, it may cause some pain on the neck muscles. Set the sling in the middle of your shoulders. If need be, ask someone to help you spread the sling where you can’t reach it.

If the sling feels too wide with a small baby, fold it in the middle to make it narrower. This way it’s easier to make a nice looking wrap.

Use a mirror as a help. If you’re outdoors, you can use windows to make sure the wrap looks ok.

Mark the middle of the sling with a thread that shows easily. This will help you to find the midpoint quickly.

I just wanted to let everyone know that this weekend,
May 27-29 is the La Leche League Conference at the
Costa Mesa Hilton. For more information, visit
http://www.lalecheleaguescnv.org/conference/pages/.

I will have a booth in the vendor area if you want to
come by and see me I will have some super comfy
Ergos, Ergo accessories, and beautiful Storchenwiedge
wraps.

My friend Jessica and her adorable son will be there too
and she will have Happy Slings ring slings and
Happy Slings Pouches. So, if you are wanting to try
something out, buy something cool, or just come by and
hang out with us, thats where we will be

See you there!!!

Please email me if you are interested in coming.

APOrangeCounty · AP Playgroup for Orange County
This group is a playgroup and networking resource for moms in Orange County who practice Attachment Parenting, in part or in whole.

SlightlyCrunchyAP · A list for “slightly crunchy” attachment parents
Are you committed to attachment parenting, but only slightly into “crunchy” natural parenting? This is a list for those of us Attachment Parents who aren’t quite totally “granola.”

Babywearing
Are you interested in babywearing? Do you have a sling, but aren’t sure how to wear it? Do you want to purchase a sling, but would like to know more about the different styles that are available? This list is for people interested in wearing their child and learning about all aspects of babywearing.

SoCalAPFamilies
This group is for families in southern California who are drawn to parenting in the natural and instinctive ways that have come to be known as attachment parenting.

Very Young Kids Teeth
Parents share experience information dealing with issues with their young children’s teeth dental health. (Mainly ages 0 to 6 years -the preschool years).

Discussion includes:
- developing good dental health habits in young children. - tips tricks to make dental hygiene fun(or at least not a horrible daily struggle!) - choosing child-friendly and child/parent-respectful dental health practitioners. - what to do when things go wrong: dealing with decay,cavities or disease after they’ve occured. - where/how to get work done - anesthesia choices, pull vs. crown/cap. Implications for speech development, confidence, trust in dentists, further damage, further treatment. - supporting children through procedures, to minimize anxiety pain for both children and parents. - supporting breastfeeding despite ignorance from breastfeeding un-informed health professionals. - the impact of not breastfeeding on short and long term dental health (caries, jaw and facial development, teeth alignment, speech development) - supporting attachment parenting through dental procedures. - sharing resources.