On March 12, the Consumer Product Safety Commission released a warning regarding positioning in baby slings. The warning was in response to 3 deaths that took place in bag style slings in 2009. Or hearts go out to the families of these babies. Sixteen babywearing manufacturers (including CatBird Baby, Sakura Bloom, Scootababy, Together Be, and Moby Wrap) issued a joint statement yesterday regarding sling safety.

We have been educating consumers for the last 4 years on how to safely carry their babies and of the dangers to babies when they are positioned chin to chest in any infant product, including swings and car seats.  Parents and caregivers must educate themselves recognize the difference between the unsafe positioning being warned about and the safe positions included in manufacturer instructions and taught by our shop and the Anchorage babywearing group.

All slings are not created equal. There are some slings that are just not safe, though positional asphyxia is an issue for babies in any type of carrier. To learn more about the dangers of bag-style slings please visit the BabySlingSafety blog, maintained by a registered nurse who has tested babies’ oxygen levels in the SlingRider and similar bag-style baby carriers. Other excellent resources include the Babywearing Safety Facebook group and The Babywearer, an international community of babywearing parents and caregivers with forums and articles to help make informed choices and learn to wear babies safely and easily.

Carrying safely is easy and teachable. We offer many avenues for Alaskan parents to learn to wear their babies, including quarterly meetings, private consults, telephone help and online resources including a blog, Facebook group, and Yahoo message board. We also train health care professionals and those working with new parents on how to use babywearing as an appropriate public health tool.

For more information, please contact

larissa@mckinleykidz.com
907-748-4930
www.mckinleykid.com
http://farnorthbabywearing.wordpress.com/

The first McKinley Kid order though came in brand new packaging from Sakura Bloom. I’ll get a picture in a sec…

Theresa seems to be a favorite of everyone’s and I also really love the classic good looks of Amelia, named after the great aviator Amelia Earhart.

Theresa - Freehand mei tai

Amelia - Freehand mei tai

wraps – If I were to have only one baby carrier, it would be a wrap. There are so many different ways to tie wraps, that you can carry your baby in any way you choose, for whatever purpose. Most of the wraps go over both of the wearer’s shoulders and around the waist, giving very good support, great security, and spreading the baby’s weight.

ring slings – Ring slings are long strips of fabric that adjust with rings. Padding is available in the shoulder and along the rails (edges), or just in the shoulder or just along the rails. The tail is the piece of fabric that hangs down from the rings and pulling down on the tail tightens the sling. The tails are wonderful to have for nursing covers, spit-up clean-up, or playing peek-a-boo.

pouches – Pouches are one loop of fabric, typically with a seam in the seat creating a deep pocket for baby. They are sized carriers, so you need to carefully read the sizing chart before placing your order. Most pouch sizing charts work best when you take a shoulder to hip measurement. Pouches are great for quick in-and-out carriers; they pack up small and easily fit in a diaper bag.

mei tais - A mei tai is a traditional Asian baby carrier. Basically, it’s a square of fabric with four straps. Mei tais distribute the baby’s weight evenly over both shoulders and are best for front and back carries. Ellaroo has the mei hip, a mei tai specifically designed for comfortable hip carries, though regular mei tais can be used for hip carries.

soft-structured carriers – A soft-structured carrier, or buckle carrier, is based on the traditional Asian baby carrier. Basically, it’s a square of fabric with four straps that buckle, like a backpack. Soft-structured carriers distribute the baby’s weight evenly over both shoulders and are best for front and back carries, though some convert to hip carriers.

hip carriers - Most babies love being carried on Mommy’s or Daddy’s hip, so hip carriers make this natural carrying position easier on the parent. Scootababy adds extra back support with a padded waist and flexible positioning. If your baby or toddler loves being carried on your hip there is nothing like the comfort of a dedicated hip carrier.

All of these baby carriers do a wonderful job of making carrying your baby comfortable for you and the baby.

Here’s what happened:

“To All Mothers, Fathers, Families and Breastfeeding supporters-

My name is Jill Balgie and the following is my account of an incident that took place this past Wednsday July 15, 2009 at H2Oasis waterpark in Anchorage Alaska.

I had just finished nursing my son at the edge of the kids pool, where my 3 year old daughter was playing, when I was approached by an employee of H2oasis. The female employee kindly informed me someone had complained about me breastfeeding and I could nurse in the upper balcony or in the bathroom. She had also brought along a towel so I could cover myself. I informed her that I had been covered when I was nursing.

I felt very uncomfortable, shocked and no longer wanted to patronize this establishment so I left. When I returned home I called a Leader of the local Le Leche League and the President of The Breastfeeding Coalition who both informed me that Alaska has a law protecting a womens right to breastfeed in public.

Upon learning this I decided to return to H2oasis and ask for a refund. Once there I asked to speak to a manager. A man came into the lobby and introduced himself as Dennis the CEO and President of H2oasis. I started to explained to him what had happened and that I would like a refund. He immediatly and loudly relied “NO, NO WAY. I’M SO SICK OF YOU MILITANT BREASTFEEDING MOTHERS”. Shocked I informed him of the Alaska State Law allowing women to breastfeed in public and Dennis replied (still loud and agitated) “I DON’T CARE WHAT THE LAW SAYS YOU WILL NOT BREASTFEED ON MY DECK”. My partner Barry stated “my son has a right to eat.” Dennis still loudly and emotionally responded “YOUR SON HAS NO RIGHTS HES NOT EIGHTEEN”. Dennis then continued with (not a quote) I DON’T CARE HOW MANY LETTERS OR PHONE CALLS I GET. I DON’T CARE WHAT THE LAW SAYS YOU WILL NOT BREASTFEED ON MY DECK!

During this whole interaction Dennis was within a few feet from my face talking loudly and emotionally. Barry, sensing my fright and how intimidating I was feeling had to ask Dennis to back away from me. More words were shared between Barry and Dennis at this point and then we left.

I wanted to share our story to inform mothers of their right to breastfeed and to inform the public of the practices and admitted beliefs of Dennis Prendeville the CEO and President of H2oasis Indoor Waterpark.

H2oasis
1520 O’Malley Road
Anchorage, Alaska 99507
www.h2oasiswaterpark.com
Phone (907) 522-4420
Fax (907) 344-8138
e-mail: partgolf@aol.com

Thank you all for your support.”

Jill Balgie and Family

Here are the first two steps to do something about it:
1. Call Dennis Prendeville at H2Oasis at (907) 522-4420. Confirm his policy and remind him that it is against state law.
http://www.touchngo.com/lglcntr/akstats/Statutes/Title29/Chapter25/Section080.htm

2. Write a letter to the editor at ADN: http://www.adn.com/help/letters/

Thank you Kathleen for correcting the information I have published. The situation is worse. The CPSC is asking for UNIT testing, not just component testing. Here’s the information on the difference and a link to Kathleen Fasanella’s blog.

Component testing is preferable for two main reasons.

1. This saves money and time if you’re repeating fabrications and inputs over several styles -as you should be for continuity purposes and meeting minimums for purchasing.
2. It achieves the safety intent of the law best.

Unit testing is not preferable for two reasons:

1. It’s wasteful. If you’re using the same exact inputs in your products across styles, it’s dumb to retest the same zipper that is identical in each unit.
2. It is less safe, circumventing the intent of the law. Let’s say you melt down a widget or whatever to reduce it into constituencies for testing. The total weight of the product is calculated in comparison to the weight of lead or phthalates so maybe the product is deemed within guidelines -but that doesn’t mean it’s safe. For example, let’s assume the major attributes of the product -like a flat screen tv- are inaccessible to a child and won’t be touched by them but the on and off button is and it’s completely constructed of lead. Should this product pass? Under current guidelines of unit testing it would but it shouldn’t. It would not pass with component testing. In other words, it is more important to test inputs as those can be weighted with respect to accessibility by the child.

-Kathleen Fasanella

http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/cpsia-unit-vs-component-testing/

I’m writing to you to express my deep concern for the impending enforcement of the new Consumer Product Safety Commission Improvement Act. While I realize that product safety, especially for children, is of utmost importance, this particular legislation is reactionary and holds potentially devastating economic ramifications.

I personally operate a very small business selling baby carriers and other baby accessories – some made by American companies and some imported from Europe. Under these new regulations, small manufacturers (and crafters who sell as a side business) would be required to submit each piece or lot to prohibitively expensive government approved third party testing. From what I understand, each test would cost anywhere from $100-400, for each COMPONENT of the of the carrier, doll, clothing, cloth diaper, etc.. That’s a test for thread, buttons and each fabric. Considering the fact that each piece is made from completely different fabrics, it would effectively eliminate the ability of small manufacturers, and those trying to make a little extra money for their families, to do business legally in the US.

I have read the CPSIA and there is no exception for quantities made, where the garments/products are made or anything else. To me, this means that grandma selling handmade baby blankets at the church bazaar is selling contraband if she is unable to produce the required safety certificate. It means that for artisans and small business in America one thing… unless you are a multi-million dollar company, you have no right doing business in the U.S. So much for the American dream.

February 10, 2009 is being dubbed “National Bankruptcy Day” by many experts in the apparel and toy industry. I expect that if this legislation is allowed to be enacted, it will affect everyone from port workers to parents looking for legal products. Millions of pieces of merchandise will be destroyed because it can’t be legally sold, causing not only environmental problems, but impacting charities that can’t accept donations without a safety certificate.

As you can see, this legislation is dangerous. I imagine that it was originally written with good intention. However, I can only hope that you will take action in defense of hard working American business owners and help us continue our ethical practices of making and distributing safe products. Please help to defend entrepreneurial America!

Sincerely,

Larissa Wright-Elson
McKinley Kid

What’s impressive about it though is the power that blogs, Twitter, Facebook, MySpace, etc. have on our society. Certainly this method of networking and viral marketing has shown its power in the recent Presidential election, but, on a smaller scale, it changed a pain reliever ad.

Motrin’s recent “mom” ad featured the pain associated with babywearing. Really, unless you have a crummy carrier, one that’s not suited to your body and baby, you shouldn’t be in pain while carrying your baby. So, babywearers and moms united through www.thebabywearer.com, blogs, Twitter (I’m walrissa on Twitter), Facebook (the group protesting the ad already has over 700 members), etc. What happened next? Motrin pulled the tv ad and will pull the print ad. And they apologized. http://motrin.com/

Some people are annoyed that the “Mommy Bloggers” have such power over corporate America. But, we’re not just mommies without brains. We’re women with opinions that foster key democratic values, like freedom of speech.

And, hey, it’s International Babywearing Week! What a way for controversy to get publicity for corporations and non-profits alike.

Here is more news coverage:

Babywearing International

FOX News

Forbes

Ellaroo products are 10% off for a limited time in celebration of the joy of babywearing so you don’t hurt – use “motrin” as your coupon code.

I’m adding them to the website now and they will be available to order as soon as the boxes arrive. Come to Friday’s open house to try them in-person!

Of course, she’s also a babywearer. Shown here in Juneau wearing her baby in a pouch, it will be interesting in the months ahead to see if she wears baby Trig on the campaign trail. I do wonder if she has other baby carriers – maybe I should send her something?

Only two Flame and three Spa in-stock. More of the new prints/colors are on the way but I am really excited to finally have some Pikkolos in again.

Flame Pikkolo