Happy International Baby Week 2018!
I have to admit slings are pretty addictive!
I wrote a poem about them… Out of all my poems, this is my husband’s favourite!
And my friend Eugene made me this video for his portfolio. Thanks Eugene.
My Mother Didn’t Get It
My mother didn’t get it, it didn’t fit with her programme
“You’ll make a rod for your own back, Why don’t you use a pram?
That child will never leave you, you’ll be carrying her when she’s 12”
I thought (tshh), that’s another bit of parenting advice that I’m going to shelve!
You see, I’d put her down she cried and cried
And no matter how hard I tried
To bounce her on some plastic, inanimate, vibrating chair
She just wanted me to pick her up
To let her know that I was there
And so, casting the advice I heard aside, I picked her up, held her with pride
I wrapped her up, my arms were free, It’s like a hands free kit, but for a baby!
Carrying’s very practical, you can try and get stuff done
Easier than a buggy, when you’re always on the run
And if you start when they’re tiny, you build up your muscles stronger
So when they’re bigger, you can carry them for longer!
So if you’re starting out, there may be things that you’d want to know
There are tutorials on you tube to help you carry like a pro
Huggable and kissable, you need them always in your view
At first it looks quite tricky, You’ll soon figure out what to do.
You might find a local sling meet, a library to try or hire,
There are babywearing consultants to help you and inspire.
You can find the one that suits your shape so the weight is all spread out
It’s really very comfortable when your carriers well thought out
I’m a bit of a rebel, I don’t like to appease
But then it all happened, I got sling disease!!
I started with a stretchy and got a buckles too,
There are so many types. I couldn’t just make do!
You can wear them on your front or back Or even on the side
I didn’t want to leave any type that I had not yet tried!
Mei tais, fly tais, ones you can customise
Checking out forums, searching with my preying eyes
Onbus, Ring slings, with padding or without
Full buckles, half buckles, I’m carrier devout
Yearning, churning, it all got a bit concerning
Learning about all these slings has made me quite discerning
And then there’s the world of wovens, and all the different blends,
I wondered if my wish list was ever going to end?
They come in sizes from 2 to 8,
For me the fours did dominate
Not too long and not too short
The perfect length, the right support.
They come in themes, all colour schemes,
They’re in my dreams, with matching seams!!!
Aaaaaaaaarrrgh!
I wanted to put them all to test
In my quest to find which was the best.
But now, I’m pleased to say I’m over it, my obsession has expired
But my passion for keeping babies close will never be retired
‘Cause carried babies cry less, the evidence says it’s true
Wearing them close felt to me like the thing that I should do
Words by Kati Edwards (Copyright)
PS I perform my poems at various birth conferences and events. If you have a babywearing event you would like me perform this poem and tell my babywearing story at, please get in touch.
PPS Do you have space on a wall for some babywearing art? I worked with artist Stephanie Green to turn an excerpt from my babywearing poem into a poster. Available in A4 and A3 from my shop.
With Love,
Kati x
