Babywearing peer support workers and babywearing consultants
It is possible to gain qualifications in babywearing. Increasing numbers of people are doing this in order to either better serve their local babywearing group or sling library, or work as a professional consultant.
Traditionally, babywearing groups comprise informal peer support, and this has been a successful model around the country. However, there are times when it is best to seek advice from a trained consultant or peer supporter, particularly when it comes to safety.
So what does it mean to be a babywearing peer supporter or consultant? And how can they improve the help we give in our babywearing groups?
Traditionally, babywearing groups comprise informal peer support, and this has been a successful model around the country. However, there are times when it is best to seek advice from a trained consultant or peer supporter, particularly when it comes to safety.
So what does it mean to be a babywearing peer supporter or consultant? And how can they improve the help we give in our babywearing groups?
What is a babywearing peer supporter or consultant?
A peer supporter is qualified to advise on normal babywearing. He or she will usually work in a voluntary setting, such as a babywearing group, or in a sling library. A peer supporter is trained in general sling selection and use, safe babywearing, and good positioning, and has his or her own experience and knowledge for good measure.
A consultant is qualified to advise on more issues, such as babies with low weight and other medical conditions, and has had more training on sling selection and use. A consultant often provides one-to-one sessions for a fee, and if so must be insured; many consultants also run sling libraries. Some consultants work in a voluntary setting such as a babywearing group.
A consultant is qualified to advise on more issues, such as babies with low weight and other medical conditions, and has had more training on sling selection and use. A consultant often provides one-to-one sessions for a fee, and if so must be insured; many consultants also run sling libraries. Some consultants work in a voluntary setting such as a babywearing group.
When should you refer a parent to a peer supporter or consultant?
Pre-term/low weight babies - babywearing consultants only
Only a babywearing consultant should advise parents of premature and low weight babies, especially those with compromised lungs or airways. Tiny babies are particularly vulnerable to breathing difficulties, and unsafe babywearing of such a child can be very dangerous. You may desperately want to help a parent of a premature baby because you know that babywearing could be so beneficial to them, but you must refer them to a consultant; alternatively there may be staff on their hospital ward who are trained in kangaroo care. People who only have training and experience in normal babywearing simply don't have enough knowledge of the issues to advise these parents; this includes even babywearers who themselves have had premature babies.
Children with medical conditions - babywearing consultants only
A child that has a medical condition, including anything that affects the bones, joints or musculature, may need a specific type of sling or special positioning, and babywearing consultants are trained to know either how to help or who to refer to. Depending on the circumstances, peer supporters may not be able to advise these parents either. However, it's worth asking.
Carrying twins - peer supporters or babywearing consultants
Tandem carrying of older twins is something a lot of babywearers can advise on. But carrying two babies on the front in a stretchy is, although possible, not something you should advise on without training, unless you've done it yourself and know the risks.
Questions of safety - peer supporters or babywearing consultants
All babywearers should know and practise the TICKS rule for safe babywearing, but sometimes other people's babywearing doesn't look quite like yours and you're not absolutely sure if it's right. In that case, refer the question to a peer supporter or consultant, or an experienced babywearer who is certain of their facts. Never take risks with a baby's safety.
Questions of positioning - knowledgeable or qualified babywearers
There is no recorded case of a child actually coming to harm because its legs weren't positioned correctly in a sling, but it is advised that all babywearers know and understand the benefits of correct positioning. If you don't know the answer to a question of positioning you can probably find another babywearer who does. But if you aren't sure, refer to a peer supporter or consultant.
Questions of sling choice and use - knowledgeable or qualified babywearers
You will usually find many, many people in a babywearing group who can help with a question on sling choice or use. But if you don't know who to ask, or nobody knows the answer, by all means ask a peer supporter or babywearing consultant.
When parents want a one-to-one session to go through all the sling options - babywearing consultant
Many parents feel more comfortable paying for advice, and want a one-to-one session to be sure they've got the right sling and are completely sure how to use it safely. This is what professional babywearing consultants do for a living. If you are not an insured consultant or a sling library, you should not offer such a service.
Only a babywearing consultant should advise parents of premature and low weight babies, especially those with compromised lungs or airways. Tiny babies are particularly vulnerable to breathing difficulties, and unsafe babywearing of such a child can be very dangerous. You may desperately want to help a parent of a premature baby because you know that babywearing could be so beneficial to them, but you must refer them to a consultant; alternatively there may be staff on their hospital ward who are trained in kangaroo care. People who only have training and experience in normal babywearing simply don't have enough knowledge of the issues to advise these parents; this includes even babywearers who themselves have had premature babies.
Children with medical conditions - babywearing consultants only
A child that has a medical condition, including anything that affects the bones, joints or musculature, may need a specific type of sling or special positioning, and babywearing consultants are trained to know either how to help or who to refer to. Depending on the circumstances, peer supporters may not be able to advise these parents either. However, it's worth asking.
Carrying twins - peer supporters or babywearing consultants
Tandem carrying of older twins is something a lot of babywearers can advise on. But carrying two babies on the front in a stretchy is, although possible, not something you should advise on without training, unless you've done it yourself and know the risks.
Questions of safety - peer supporters or babywearing consultants
All babywearers should know and practise the TICKS rule for safe babywearing, but sometimes other people's babywearing doesn't look quite like yours and you're not absolutely sure if it's right. In that case, refer the question to a peer supporter or consultant, or an experienced babywearer who is certain of their facts. Never take risks with a baby's safety.
Questions of positioning - knowledgeable or qualified babywearers
There is no recorded case of a child actually coming to harm because its legs weren't positioned correctly in a sling, but it is advised that all babywearers know and understand the benefits of correct positioning. If you don't know the answer to a question of positioning you can probably find another babywearer who does. But if you aren't sure, refer to a peer supporter or consultant.
Questions of sling choice and use - knowledgeable or qualified babywearers
You will usually find many, many people in a babywearing group who can help with a question on sling choice or use. But if you don't know who to ask, or nobody knows the answer, by all means ask a peer supporter or babywearing consultant.
When parents want a one-to-one session to go through all the sling options - babywearing consultant
Many parents feel more comfortable paying for advice, and want a one-to-one session to be sure they've got the right sling and are completely sure how to use it safely. This is what professional babywearing consultants do for a living. If you are not an insured consultant or a sling library, you should not offer such a service.
How to find a peer supporter or consultant
Your local sling group or library may contain peer supporters - just ask! In our area, Katherine Harkness of Sheffield Babywearers and Natasha Perry of Sheffield Sling Library are currently completing the training.
Babywearing consultants in the UK hold a qualification either from the School of Babywearing or the Trageschule UK.
At the moment there are no practising, insured babywearing consultants in Sheffield and we have to refer outside the city. However, that is soon to change.... watch this space and we'll keep you updated!
Babywearing consultants in the UK hold a qualification either from the School of Babywearing or the Trageschule UK.
- Consultants trained by the School of Babywearing
- Consultants trained by the Trageschule UK.
- Babi has a list of instructors, all of whom have one of the above or a similar overseas qualification, and have current insurance.
At the moment there are no practising, insured babywearing consultants in Sheffield and we have to refer outside the city. However, that is soon to change.... watch this space and we'll keep you updated!
