Well, it’s time to do my part to say something about the recent uproar about baby carriers. Our slings, mai teis, and various carriers are being looked at as possibly unsafe by the CPSC. There was the recall a few months ago that got everyone that wasn’t already “in-the-know” about baby carriers scared of slings. SCARED. Scared of something that could be the most wonderful thing to discover for you and your child. From this singular recall, all other similar carriers are getting lumped into the issue. There might even be a entire recall on all slings. We need to do something to let the CPSC know that babywearing is safe.

It’s very sad that something that promotes closeness and attentiveness with your child is under scrutiny.  Of all things that we use for babies, carriers should not be taken off of the market.  We have millions of these plastic “containers” to keep baby happy while out of the caregiver’s arms that are sold every day.   Some of these products get recalled, but the basic design is still used and sold to families.  Cribs, strollers, car seats, etc. have all had their share of recalls, but we still are able to buy these products.  Slings should also still be available to the public.  Faulty designs like the Slingrider should most definitely be taken off the market, but the whole general group of slings should not.  They are undoubtedly safe.

In our family, discovering babywearing has been a saving grace. It made everyone happy. My son wanted to be close to me, and I with him, but sometimes there are other things to do. You have dishes to do, laundry to wash, meals to be prepared. My son didn’t really like sitting in a little bouncer while I was taking care of all these things. So, in came the answer to the equation: the sling. I wore him, which made him happy, and I as well because I couldn’t bare to listen to my baby cry for his Mama. And all the while, we were bonding and having a great time! And because my son was so close to me, I was able to care for him and be more in tune with his needs. I would recognize when he was hungry easily, I could tell when he was ill, and I avoided a lot of crying because he was getting everything he needed. And at the time, all he needed was his Mama and nourishment.

So, what can we do? The first thing you can do is visit the Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA) website. There you can find out more about what exactly is going on in legislature that concerns baby carriers. You can also post any positive stories or pictures on their facebook page. I also came across the post below that gives phone numbers of people to call in your state to tell them you feel this recall on all slings is unwarranted.

Here is a re-post from thebabywearer.com

Dear Babywearing Enthusiast:

It is time to BRACE YOURSELF!

A recall of a major baby carrier is being forced through this week. We want you to understand how this has been handled and to appreciate the immediacy of the problem!

* Company was informed by the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) that, after several years, a closed investigation of their product was being reopened.

* Company was told by the CPSC to issue a recall of every product back more than ten years, and to discontinue sales, while admitting that there is no product flaw.

* Company stopped all sales, with the intention of clearing up the matter and reopening shortly.

* Company asked for the Health and Science report that the CPSC later claimed to have, indicating the need for a recall.

* CPSC has NEVER complied; inside word is that there is NOT a Health and Science report.

* Company was sent two draft press releases and asked to voluntarily recall their product or the CPSC would issue a unilateral recall (a forced recall) which included inflammatory language as well as a threat to pursue action against entire class of baby sling products.

* Company held fast, knowing that the product is safe and a benefit to babies and stated they would be willing to work with the CPSC on a public education campaign about sling safety.

* CPSC asked for Company’s financials.

* Company complied.

* CPSC said to company “You are no longer in business, we don’t need your cooperation in order to recall! Prepare to DESTROY all product next week!” Next week is International Babywearing week!

PLEASE NOTE: *THIS IS AFTER THE CPSC FORCED COMPANY TO STOP SELLING!

The CPSC has overstepped their bounds, and are bullying small, family businesses who make safe products!

This is only the beginning, according to the CPSC’s own words they want to eradicate the whole class of product!

A line has been drawn in the sand! Will you help fight the good fight with us? If you care that these products are available to you, to babies, to families across our country, ACT NOW!

If you are represented by any one of these legislators, please call and write to them NOW, before this recall happens. We are asking just a few simple things:

1. Stop all recall actions against baby sling companies until

2. We can finalize the ASTM voluntary sling standards (scheduled for November) and

3. Force the CPSC to follow their own internal procedures, stop using bullying tactics, and use sound science.

• SENATE: Mark Pryor – Chairman, AR (202) 224-2353
• Byron L. Dorgan, ND (202) 224-2551
• Barbara Boxer, CA (202) 224-3553
• Bill Nelson, FL (202) 224-5274
• Claire McCaskill, MO (202) 224-6154
• Amy Klobuchar, MN (202) 224-3244
• Tom Udall, NM (202) 224-5941
• Roger Wicker – Ranking Member, MS (202) 224-6253
• Olympia J. Snowe, ME (202) 224-5344
• Jim DeMint, SC (202) 224-6121
• John Thune, SD (202) 224-2321
• Johnny Isakson, GA (202) 224-3643
• David Vitter, LA (202) 224-4623
• HOUSE: Bobby L. Rush, IL, Chairman 202-225-4372; 773-224-6500
• Jan Schakowsky, IL, Vice Chair 202-225-2111; 773-506-7100
• Ed Whitfield, KY, Ranking Member 202-225-3115; 270-885-8079
• John P. Sarbanes, MD 202-225-4016; 410-832-8890
• George Radanovich, CA 202-225-4540; 559-449-2490
• Betty Sutton, OH 202-225-2266; 330-865-8450
• Cliff Stearns, FL 202-225-5744; 352-351-8777
• Frank Pallone, Jr., NJ 202-225-4671; 732-571-1140
• Joseph R. Pitts, PA 202-225-2411; 717-303-0667
• Bart Gordon, TN 202-225-4231; 615-896-1986
• Mary Bono Mack, CA 202-225-5330; 760-320-1076
• Bart Stupak, MI 202-225-4735; 231-348-0657
• Lee Terry, NE 202-225-4155; 402-397-9944
• Gene Green, TX 202-225-1688; 281-999-5879
• Sue Wilkins Myrick, NC 202-225-1976; 704-362-1060
• Charles A. Gonzalez, TX 202-225-3236; 210-472-6195
• Tim Murphy, PA 202-225-2301; 412-344-5583
• Anthony D. Weiner, NY 202-225-6616; 718-520-9001
• Phil Gingrey, GA 202-225-2931; 770-429-1776
• Jim Matheson, UT 202-225-3011; 801-486-1236
• Steve Scalise, LA 202-225-3015; 504-837-1259
• G. K. Butterfield, NC 202-225-3101; 252-237-9816
• Robert E. Latta, OH 202-225-6405; 419-668-0206
• John Barrow, GA 202-225-2823; 912-354-7282

Another wonderful thing happened! Two ladies came up to my table and one was explaining to the other about how you use a sling. I stepped in to help out with the explanation, and discovered that the lady inquiring about the slings was blind. I immediately got excited! I was previously a Braille Transcriber and have had the chance to meet a lot of wonderful people in the blind community. So, I explained to her how to use the sling and told her about how I loved working in Braille. I miss parts of that job … sometimes. And most of all, I miss talking with people in that community.

So many nice people came to my table that day. A couple good friends came by. It’s so nice to have support from friends and family. Although the sales were minimal, the people I met and saw again totally made up for it. This festival was fantastic!
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All this being said, I don’t like the scare that’s being thrown out about this specific carrier. You could have some other type of carrier that was poorly made and have an equally tragic accident with it. Any number of things could happen within your household that result in death from something that was originally safe, but was misused. Think about the catastrophe that could happen if a negligent parent or caregiver wasn’t careful to make sure baby doesn’t smack their head on the sharp corner of the faucet in the bathtub. Or, even worse, the tragedy that could come from the baby left unattended in the bath water. We aren’t seeing huge warnings about bathtubs. What we do see is advice recommending care when bathing a child. The same concept should go for Ring Slings. The Ring Sling is not the problem, it’s the lack of vigilance on the sling wearer’s part. It should go without saying that anything you use for, around, with, under, or by your baby should be used with care and an understanding of how to keep the entire situation safe.

So, the conclusion I’ve come up with? This warning is well meaning, but really, it’s not the sling at fault; the misuse of the sling is to blame. Anyone selling these baby carriers should be aware of the risk, and should also make this risk apparent to anyone using their slings. But, such a negative regard for this useful product is really unnecessary. The good things about a Ring Sling by far out weigh the bad. For one, using a baby carrier keeps your child close to you. Closer, hopefully and usually, means that baby is being well cared for. In a sling your baby can be comforted far more than any swing, chair, or crib can offer. Instead of being across the house to hear your baby crying, you can be aware of the baby just beginning to awaken and offer comfort, food, or whatever it is they need before the baby gets to the point where they need to cry. The main reason for using such a baby carrier is to be closer to baby and to be more available to attend to any need the child may have. I feel strongly that the bad name does not belong on the shoulders of the Ring Sling, but the person who is using it incorrectly.

A sling is as safe as you want it to be.

So, my slings are selling.  I’m not making enough money to retire, but my sales are definitely rising.  I am thrilled!  Thanks to all the lovelies who bought one, I hope you love it!  And as I’ve been selling online and locally, I decided that having my slings in a store or two would be a good way to try to get a few more sales.  My Midwife offered to let me sell them at her little shop in her office.  So of course, my slings will be there!  I can’t think of a better place to find a baby wearin’ Mama.  Seriously, if you are having a homebirth, I’m betting you wear your baby.  Another place I had in mind was Gretel’s Fine Gifts.  I have loved this little shop ever since I discovered it, and later found out the owner used to work with my Dad.  Small world. So, after stopping in and showing Gretel one of my slings in use with my adorable babe, she agreed to let me sell them in her store!  Thank you, Gretel!

So, from all the local orders and getting slings made for these two shops, my Etsy shop has been suffering.  I either haven’t had the time to add new listings or I don’t have the materials for the new listings because they are being used for slings I’m selling locally.  So, I’m slowly figuring out where to go from here.  I definitely need more linen on hand than I’ve needed in the past.  As well as all the other stuff that goes into making a sling: thread, accenting fabric, and THE RINGS.  You can’t forget those rings for the ring sling!

It’s just so amazing to watch my little business take this step into success.  I’m so thankful that this has all worked out.  I’m able to stay home with my kids and not starve because I have a wonderful husband that works and wholeheartedly supports me staying home.  And to top off that, I have time to focus on my business that I’ve made from something I love doing.

Anyway, enough of that so-happy-I-could-cry stuff. Here are a few of the beauties I have made for Gretel’s store. I can’t wait for my linens to get here so I can duplicate these and list them in my shop!

P.S. I’m not sure why the pictures are all crammed like they are. Annie? If you are reading this, help!