As more and more parents in the UK discover the advantages of carrying their children close in slings and carriers, there is an increase in the number of ‘babywearing’ exercise classes. These classes are often marketed as being fun for parent and child, and helpful for mothers to regain fitness after giving birth.
Recently, I have been asked several times for my opinion on sling exercise classes. I am a trained sling professional but I am not a medical professional in infant or postnatal health. I also recognise that there cannot be a ‘one-opinion-fits-all’ approach to such a varied industry; I believe it’s important that parents are aware of some good questions to ask a class teacher and be able to evaluate risk for themselves.
As a growing industry, sling dance and fitness classes are sparking much debate amongst professionals across the relevant disciplines. The UK sling exercise industry is currently unregulated and there is a wide range of classes on offer, some very well-marketed and high profile, but with very different approaches to safety, health and responsibility.
Babywearing and Sling Exercise
Moving gently for fun with your baby is a lovely way to bond with them and develop a sense of shared rhythm, balance and enjoyment. Anyone who has ever swayed around the room with their child (of any age!) to a favourite tune knows the pleasure of that connection and shared giggle!
The rising popularity of sling fitness and dance classes is definitely built upon this ‘feel good factor’. Teachers are often trained in postnatal fitness and sometimes choreography, and some have trained in babywearing peer support or even in babywearing consultancy. However, the lack of regulations means that there is no common standard for sling exercise classes, and teachers may lack some or all of these qualifications and experience.
As with any exercise class, the onus is on the participant to declare any physical issues to the teacher which may affect their suitability to take part. The minimum requirement is often for postnatal mothers to have had their six-week check, but this may often be too early for taking part in certain types of exercise. Generally, but especially where carrying an additional weight on one’s body is involved, mothers who have pelvic floor issues or other problems, such as diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), may actually not be ready for exercise classes at six weeks and risk causing further damage by taking part.
In the case of sling exercise classes, the parent’s responsibility is not only for themselves, but for their baby. However, some responsibility for ensuring parents are informed about safety must also lie with the class teacher, especially if they are advertising that they are trained, insured and in some position of authority to advise on safe postnatal exercise or safe babywearing.
Babywearing Safety
There are some really excellent sling safety resources available, produced by babywearing professionals. Two of the best-known are the ‘T.I.C.K.S.’ checklist and the ‘ABC of Safe Babywearing’ and these both emphasise the importance of keeping baby’s airway free, especially important for young babies with little or no head control.
Another very comprehensive safety resource called ‘Baby-Carrying Safety’ was compiled by the French Consultants Inter-School Board and translated by Slingababy. This also focuses on clear airways but also includes guidance on activity and awareness levels whilst carrying a child in a sling – to adapt your level of activity and to avoid shaking or fall hazards.
As per sling safety guidelines, a sling must be tight enough to hold your baby securely in a safe (chin-off-chest) position and this is especially true when your movements are more vigorous than a normal walking motion. It’s worth remembering that, even under normal circumstances, a stretchy wrap must be tied tightly to prevent slumping and breathing problems, and some believe that stretchy wraps are not ideally suited to babywearing exercise at all for this reason.
How can you decide if a class is safe and responsible? Below, I’ve outlined some questions to ask yourself and the class instructor when making that decision. I use the term ‘sling exercise’ to cover classes covering sling dance and sling fitness: any class involving non-everyday movement with your baby in a carrier.
Some questions to ask…
Infant safety
Safety of postnatal mother
Safe sling use
Many of the above are common sense suggestions which may seem obvious. But it’s always worth bearing them in mind – the lack of current regulation means that, in theory, anyone could set up a class and give it a babywearing ‘spin’. Until the industry is regulated – and I believe it will be one day – the onus is on the parent to be aware and ask questions of their sling exercise class, no matter how professional, well-established or widely marketed, and make their own decision. A responsible company will be happy to answer any queries in detail to reassure parents!
Speaking as a mum, I'd fully embrace an opportunity to enjoy moving with my baby in different ways, if I was confident the class teacher respected and was knowledgeable about the above issues. Whether in a gentle exercise class or a sling walk in the woods, experiencing movement and rhythm with our children is a wonderful way to enjoy each other and grow together.
Recently, I have been asked several times for my opinion on sling exercise classes. I am a trained sling professional but I am not a medical professional in infant or postnatal health. I also recognise that there cannot be a ‘one-opinion-fits-all’ approach to such a varied industry; I believe it’s important that parents are aware of some good questions to ask a class teacher and be able to evaluate risk for themselves.
As a growing industry, sling dance and fitness classes are sparking much debate amongst professionals across the relevant disciplines. The UK sling exercise industry is currently unregulated and there is a wide range of classes on offer, some very well-marketed and high profile, but with very different approaches to safety, health and responsibility.
Babywearing and Sling Exercise
Moving gently for fun with your baby is a lovely way to bond with them and develop a sense of shared rhythm, balance and enjoyment. Anyone who has ever swayed around the room with their child (of any age!) to a favourite tune knows the pleasure of that connection and shared giggle!
The rising popularity of sling fitness and dance classes is definitely built upon this ‘feel good factor’. Teachers are often trained in postnatal fitness and sometimes choreography, and some have trained in babywearing peer support or even in babywearing consultancy. However, the lack of regulations means that there is no common standard for sling exercise classes, and teachers may lack some or all of these qualifications and experience.
As with any exercise class, the onus is on the participant to declare any physical issues to the teacher which may affect their suitability to take part. The minimum requirement is often for postnatal mothers to have had their six-week check, but this may often be too early for taking part in certain types of exercise. Generally, but especially where carrying an additional weight on one’s body is involved, mothers who have pelvic floor issues or other problems, such as diastasis recti (separation of abdominal muscles), may actually not be ready for exercise classes at six weeks and risk causing further damage by taking part.
In the case of sling exercise classes, the parent’s responsibility is not only for themselves, but for their baby. However, some responsibility for ensuring parents are informed about safety must also lie with the class teacher, especially if they are advertising that they are trained, insured and in some position of authority to advise on safe postnatal exercise or safe babywearing.
Babywearing Safety
There are some really excellent sling safety resources available, produced by babywearing professionals. Two of the best-known are the ‘T.I.C.K.S.’ checklist and the ‘ABC of Safe Babywearing’ and these both emphasise the importance of keeping baby’s airway free, especially important for young babies with little or no head control.
Another very comprehensive safety resource called ‘Baby-Carrying Safety’ was compiled by the French Consultants Inter-School Board and translated by Slingababy. This also focuses on clear airways but also includes guidance on activity and awareness levels whilst carrying a child in a sling – to adapt your level of activity and to avoid shaking or fall hazards.
As per sling safety guidelines, a sling must be tight enough to hold your baby securely in a safe (chin-off-chest) position and this is especially true when your movements are more vigorous than a normal walking motion. It’s worth remembering that, even under normal circumstances, a stretchy wrap must be tied tightly to prevent slumping and breathing problems, and some believe that stretchy wraps are not ideally suited to babywearing exercise at all for this reason.
How can you decide if a class is safe and responsible? Below, I’ve outlined some questions to ask yourself and the class instructor when making that decision. I use the term ‘sling exercise’ to cover classes covering sling dance and sling fitness: any class involving non-everyday movement with your baby in a carrier.
Some questions to ask…
Infant safety
- Has the choreography/exercise routine been devised by someone who has professional knowledge of infant handling and physiology?
- Do the movements seem respectful to the developmental stage of infants taking part? Is good strong head control required of all babies taking part, if anything other than gentle swaying is involved? Does the teacher help participants ensure that babies’ heads are well supported?
- How does the teacher safeguard against infant overheating or movement that is too vigorous or harmful? Particularly with young babies, the general advice is to avoid jumping, bouncing, jogging or spinning motion or any sudden movements which might jerk baby’s neck or cause it to fall backwards without support (e.g. leaning forward or sideways without supporting baby’s head with one hand).
- Does the process of learning or concentrating on the fitness/dance moves prevent the parent being fully aware of and responsive to their baby at all times?
Safety of postnatal mother
- Has the suitability of the mother for this particular sort of exercise been specifically assessed at her postnatal check and does the class teacher confirm this? Are there any other factors about her health that will prolong the postnatal recovery period – is the teacher aware of and knowledgeable about such factors?
- Aside from qualifications to advise on safe sling use, is the teacher adequately qualified in postnatal fitness?
Safe sling use
- Does the class ask that people taking part are experienced in using their chosen sling?
- If sling beginners are welcomed, is sufficient time allowed at the start to advise on safe sling use? Does the teacher offer to supervise sling beginners throughout the class – if so, can the teacher lead a class and monitor every participant, or will their back be turned and attention focused on the movements/choreography? In this situation, is there a designated second person there who is trained to observe less experienced sling users throughout, ensuring that babies remain in a safe position in the sling and cannot fall or slip into a position which compromises their airway?
- If a class teacher is actively instructing newcomers on how to use a sling (as opposed to providing support and information), check that they are fully trained and insured to do so – not all babywearing training and insurance covers teaching activity.
- Does the class focus on the mother’s fitness and recovery, or is the focus more on bonding through gentle movement? If the focus is mainly on fitness, could that be achieved in a more traditional exercise class, without children being attached to the participants in slings?
Many of the above are common sense suggestions which may seem obvious. But it’s always worth bearing them in mind – the lack of current regulation means that, in theory, anyone could set up a class and give it a babywearing ‘spin’. Until the industry is regulated – and I believe it will be one day – the onus is on the parent to be aware and ask questions of their sling exercise class, no matter how professional, well-established or widely marketed, and make their own decision. A responsible company will be happy to answer any queries in detail to reassure parents!
Speaking as a mum, I'd fully embrace an opportunity to enjoy moving with my baby in different ways, if I was confident the class teacher respected and was knowledgeable about the above issues. Whether in a gentle exercise class or a sling walk in the woods, experiencing movement and rhythm with our children is a wonderful way to enjoy each other and grow together.
Links for further reading:
The T.I.C.K.S. safety checklist online
Babywearing International's safety info page, with a link to the ABC of Safe Babywearing
Link to the great safety leaflet by French consultants, translated by Slingababy
'Sling Safety with young babies', an article by Dr Rosie Knowles of Sheffield Sling Surgery
'Postnatal exercising with a baby in a carrier', Renee Jeffery of Norwich Sling Library
'Babywearing: Is It Preventing Diastasis Recti From Healing?' by Lorraine Scapens
Some more info on diastasis recti can be found here
The T.I.C.K.S. safety checklist online
Babywearing International's safety info page, with a link to the ABC of Safe Babywearing
Link to the great safety leaflet by French consultants, translated by Slingababy
'Sling Safety with young babies', an article by Dr Rosie Knowles of Sheffield Sling Surgery
'Postnatal exercising with a baby in a carrier', Renee Jeffery of Norwich Sling Library
'Babywearing: Is It Preventing Diastasis Recti From Healing?' by Lorraine Scapens
Some more info on diastasis recti can be found here