COTM: Pouch Sling June 2017

Carry of the Month (COTM) is an ongoing feature for the BWIP blog and Facebook group. Each month one of the Volunteer Babywearing Educators (VBEs) will choose a wrap carry or carrier to showcase and write a blog post with instructions or videos. At our monthly meetings throughout the valley, we will designate time to demonstrate the carry or carrier in person and answer your questions. Feel free to join in on the fun! Post pictures of you trying out the COTM in the Facebook group or email us your entry. Check out the bottom of this post for the prize raffled off for participation this month! 

Nikki models a pouch with her beautiful daughter, Mia.
Image description:  A photo of a smiling woman wearing a small baby in a pink and brown patterned pouch sling is in the corner of this image.  The photo is surrounded by text.  To the right, it says, "Pouches are... easy to store, compact, easy to use, cool for summer, low cost, comfortable."  The bottom of the image has the Babywearing International of Phoenix logo.  

Our Carry of the Month (COTM) for June 2017 is a pouch sling!  This post will talk about how great pouches are during the summer and link to a few tutorials.  Stay tuned to the end for an exciting announcement!  

Volunteer Lauren demonstrates a pouch sling with her 4 month old baby boy.
Image description:  A light skinned, dark haired woman in a purple shirt wears a young baby in a black and white patterned pouch sling.  Both are smiling at the camera.  They are outside with gravel, a tree, some plants, and blue sky in the background.  

There are several ways to wear these simple carriers.  You can use one for a centered front carry, a hip carry, or even a cradle carry.  They get a bad reputation because people often end up with the wrong size and struggle to wear it safely.  But when you find one that fits properly, they are the perfect summer carrier.  They are small, simple to use for quick ups and downs, and readily available at consignment stores.  A pouch sling can get rolled up in your back pocket or the bottom of your diaper bag.  It's cool and airy because the fabric is thin and there isn't a lot of fabric to cover you and baby.  

Pouch slings are relatively easy to find.  You can usually find a large selection of used pouches at children's consignment stores.  There, you can try them on to check the fit before buying.  You can also come to a meeting to try on our pouches and find the right fit for you before you buy.  If you prefer buying new, you can find them in dozens of colors from Seven Slings or Hot Slings!

Elizabeth demonstrates her 

Our Volunteer Elizabeth demonstrated this carrier for a carry of the month a few years ago.  Click here or on her photo of her awesome tutorial.  

This video is a good demonstration of how to put a newborn into a pouch sling.  

This video explains how to use the pouch for a hip carry.

This video shows a safe cradle carry.  When attempting a cradle carry in a sling, be very aware of safety!  Baby should be upright, not facing into you.  Make sure baby's chin is not on his chest and that baby's head is higher than the rest of the body.  Be certain that fabric is not covering baby's face.

And now our announcement...

 I am excited to announce the debut of our pouch sling exchange!  

For the month of June, our pouch sling exchange will be traveling to each meeting.  We have a variety of sizes of pouches and we operate the exchange like a penny jar.  Bring a sling that doesn't fit you and trade it for one that does!  The pouch exchange will be available upon request after the month of June.  

Image description: Three books are arranged on a wood table.  Titles are Find the Duck, Duck's Day Out, and Very First Words.

Our prize for June 2017 is three books from Usborne.  These books are great for toddlers and preschoolers.  To enter to win, simply post a photo of you trying out a pouch sling on the COTM thread in our Facebook group.  If you're not on Facebook email your entry to us at PhoenixBabywearers@gmail.com.

At the end of the month we will draw a winner. To earn additional entries, you can post a new picture of you trying it out every day.

(Valid only for Arizona residents. Winner is responsible for pick up or any shipping costs.)

Disclaimer: Any tutorials or advice given on this blog by Babywearing International of Phoenix or representatives of BWI of Phoenix are to be used at your own risk. Please use caution when attempting any of the carries highlighted on this blog and using any of the carriers discussed on this blog. Some of the information or advice may put some users of this site at risk due to health issues, physical limitations, or misuse. If you or your child have health issues or physical limitations, please discuss the appropriateness of the carry or carrier with your health care practitioner. BWI of Phoenix cannot be held accountable for any injuries sustained by the reader when attempting these carries or using these carriers.

Our contributing author this month is Lauren Maynard.  Lauren is an Advanced Babywearing Educator with Babywearing International of Phoenix.  She loves trying out new carriers with her preschool aged daughter and newborn son.  Lauren regularly attends the weekend and central meetings.