Summer Sling Safety

Let's talk about things in terms of your ABC checks...

A=Airways:

It can be tempting to have your carrier looser to make things less hot! ☀️ 🔥

BUT we need baby held close to our bodies, high up, with a correctly tightened sling to stop them slumping down. (If the chin drops onto the chest, oxygen flow will be more restricted, and being low down baby is much harder to monitor, not to mention softer breast tissue can unfortunately smother). A tight sling can help to secure airways, and also reduce fall hazards, you'll likely find it's comfier too!

⛱️ Need shade?

Don't cover baby's face fully with fabric such as a hood or a muslin - this means you can't see/ monitor them easily. You could use a hood one side up (not past the ear) so you can still clearly see airways.

Fabric over the airways may smother, plus cotton fibres in the heat can swell, and actually make baby hotter - babies can't regulate their heat when they are particularly small, this is the same principal with prams, draped fabric over the top can very much create a greenhouse effect.

Other shading alternatives:

Use a wide-brimmed hat (if you're wearing one too it can add more shade) these hats shade the neck and head - but you can still see baby's face fully. You could dampen a muslin and tuck into the sides of the carrier, though much preferably I'd suggest using a proper UV cover such as a bundlebean or Bebe Trek pram/and sling cover that is designed especailly for this purpose.

You could even use a parasol when out and about on really sunny days too.

Be conscious to take breaks and only carry at certain times of the day when the sun isn't at its highest.

B = Body Positioning:

To keep cooler why not try a hip or back carry depending on your sling type and baby's developmental stage (+6m with a buckle, sooner with wovens, half buckles and ring slings).

(As with all carrying) having baby nice, high with their face fully in-view means we can check to see how warm they are easily. With back carrying you could use a sling mirror or your phone camera to check if baby looks flushed.

C=Comfort:

Your carrier will act as (at least) one layer of clothing. Watch for flushed cheeks. And take breaks as needee if you're too warm.

Dress yourself and baby in lighter colours and layers. As an example for baby - thin trousers, long sleeved tee & socks, if really hot you could have baby in far less but be wary of exposed skin to sunrays (consider a UV suncover around the carrier as mentioned above). Burning can have serious consequences. If baby is old enough (+6 months) use protective sunscreen. A parasol could add extra shade for you both too.

🥵 Carry a waterspritzer or mini fan to stay extra cool.

💧 Make sure to stay hydrated, carrying is thirsty work, for both you and baby (offer water if appropriate/ more feeds as needed).

👶 Sling type

If your regular carrier is fairly bulky you could investigate in a summer alternative (mesh front, lightweight, to keep the material covering baby to a minimum) Mini Monkey, Kahubaby, Connecta, Muslin Ring Sling or Mesh option!

🎒 Carrying extra? Make use of carrier pockets, bumbag (cross bodybag), or an extra pair of hands to help transport items less sweatily!

Let me know if these tips have helped you 😊

Emma

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