All posts by Katherine

Anti-Barefoot bigotry

Parenting, ,

http://www.onedaywithoutshoes.com/ What a horrid idea.

As a child who chose to go without shoes and would go to extreme lengths to ensure that it stayed that way! And with friends from all over the world who treasure the freedom, cultural associations and joy that going barefeet gives our children, and ourselves as adults, and fear the prejudices of those who have never had that freedom and who consider us bad parents or mad in some way for that choice.

Hope this doesn’t come across as too strident – but this is something I feel very strongly about.  

Bare feet are not a terrible thing – they are wonderful! You feel powerful, grounded, walk and run differently – with lighter steps. No sore feet, blisters, bunions, or misshapen feet. Cuts and scratches aren’t usually  a problem. You can feel the earth beneath you.

Shoes have their place – in cold climates or where there are health issues with parasites, but they are not essential for life in other climates.

Ask many a New Zealander, Australian, or white South African. Shoes are a cultural issue not necessarily an indicator of poverty. For those of us who have experienced the move from a western world to a sunnier clime – shoes are often one of the first things to go – not because we can’t afford shoes, but because they are constricting, a by-product of a different climate, an irrelevant imposition. The barefoot – poverty association is a dangerous thing. Many people choose bare feet for the joy of it.

Wanting to end poverty is a wonderful sentiment – but it is patronising and frankly damaging to dictate the terms to those who we feel need help, to dictate their aspirations in our image.

People need to be empowered to make their own decisions for their family, free to take the western influences they want, but retain their own values and culture. Not be constantly told that unless you wear shoes, drive the right kind of car, wear a suit and tie, eat western approved foods although your traditional ones are ideal for the climate and more nutritious, use formula, use a pushchair, go to school 9 to 5 every day then we don’t consider you suitable peers. The issue is that people are able to provide for themselves and their families – not that they remake themselves in the western image.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barefoot

http://www.unshod.org/pfbc/

http://www.barefooters.org/

Kangaroo care reduces newborn deaths by more than 50 percent

Babycare, Birth, ,

New Research Shows “Kangaroo Mother Care” Reduces Newborn Deaths More than 50 Percent, Proven to be More Effective than Incubators for Stable Preterm Babies.

A new meta-analysis led by Dr. Joy Lawn of Save the Children, and published in International Journal of Epidemiology found a 51 percent reduction in newborn mortality when stabilized babies weighing less than four pounds (2,000 gm) received warmth and breast milk through continuous skin-to-skin contact on the chest of their mothers – kangaroo care.

This makes it one of the most highly effective ways to give more babies the chance to survive and thrive. Not only is it simple and low cost, vital in less affluent counties but it also it is incredibly empowering for new parents making it equally important in more affluent countries too.

A recent documentary Invisible Lives show its benefits in Malawi where it is widely practiced.

Save the Children Press Release

Benefits of Babywearing

Babywearing,

Benefits

Bonding

The closeness between carer and child in a sling helps bonding. You get to know each other and learn to communicate.
Grandparents, dads, and other family and carers can all carry the baby, developing their own special relationship.

For baby and toddler …

Less stress

Babies are soothed by movement and personal contact. From the safety of the sling they can determine their own levels of interaction with the world.

Regulates systems

Contact with an adult helps newborns regulate their temperature, breathing, and heartbeat.

Breastfeeding

You can breastfeed discretely in a carrier.

Physical development

The movement associated with being carried develops babies’ balance and muscles.

Communication

A carried newborn can see your face, and gets more experience of language, facial expressions and body language.

Cry less

Babies who are carried and responded to quicker have been found to cry less.

Stimulates learning

Carried babies spend more time in the quiet alert state required for learning. A babe-in-arms can observe the
world. Touch, has been found to stimulate the growth of brain cells.

For you …

Freedom of movement

A baby carrier gives you greater freedom to move around than a pram or pushchair. Easy to move up stairs and through small spaces, making shopping, public toilets, and public transport easier.

Reduced postnatal depression

The physical closeness and a happier baby can also help mothers suffering from postnatal depression.

Hands free

A baby carrier can give you back your hands, allowing you to get on with the things you want to do.

Comfortable

A well chosen baby carrier distributes your child’s weight, allowing you to carry them for longer periods at a time, and as they get heavier. Most carriers are suitable up to 16kgs, 3 or 4 years.

Exercise

A baby carrier makes taking exercise easier. The associated health benefits are numerous and include promoting bone density to protect against osteoporosis, reducing risk of heart disease and boosting the immune system.

Avoid unsafe ‘bag’ slings

Babywearing,

A major US brand of baby carrier or sling – the Infantino SlingRider has been recalled after the US Consumer Product Safety Commission issued an advisory regarding baby sling safety.

The babywearing community have been warning about the inherent dangers of one type of sling – ‘bag slings’ for several years. Bag slings have a deep pocket that forces the baby’s chin onto its chest, blocking breathing and have been linked to 14 deaths by suffocation of very young babies in the US over the last 20 years. Excess fabric envelop the baby in fabric, covering the face. M’Liss Stelzer, a registered nurse and babywearing expert looked at oxygen saturation of infants in SlingRider and was so concerned that she repeatedly warned Infantino.

Other examples of ‘bag ‘slings to be avoided, include Premaxx baby bag, Munchkin cargo sling, Boppy carry in comfort, Lamaze close comfort and Wendy Bellissimo sling.

What to do if you have a ‘bag sling’

If you have or are given a bag-style sling please do not use it, sell it or give it away. Destroy it by cutting it up so that it can never be used.

Safe slings

There are many other slings available - shallow pouches, ring slings, wraps, soft-structured carriers and mei-tais that are safe for use with your baby so long as you follow the guidelines on correct positioning.

Although pouches and ring slings may look similar, ‘bag’ slings have a deeper pocket and the shape of the bag forces the baby into a dangerous chin to chest position. In a true pouch or ring sling the pocket formed by the fabric is far shallower, the sling is positioned high on the user’s body, and the baby’s face should be visible and close to the sling wearer’s face at all times.

Using a sling has many benefits for parents and babies. They are even used skin-to-skin in kangaroo care to help premature babies breathe better and regulate body temperature. They decrease crying, help with breastfeeding and bonding.

Safe positioning:

As with any baby equipment it is important to use your sling correctly. You should keep your baby snug to you, close enough to kiss her head, with her chin clear of her chest to avoid any constriction of her airways, and her back fully supported. Her nose and mouth should be free of any obstruction.

When you’re wearing a sling or carrier, don’t forget the T.I.C.K.S.

  • Tight
  • In view at all times
  • Close enough to kiss
  • Keep chin off the chest
  • Supported back

Illustrated safe positioning guidelines

Other positional asphyxia risks:

Infant car seats, strollers and badly designed chairs all carry the same risk to young babies. Although 14 babies have been reported as dying in slings in US in the last 20 years, a three period saw 16 die in car seats not involved in car accidents, and nine in strollers. Where ever your baby is it is important to ensure that he has a clear airway and is not chin-to-chest.

Other sling safety tips

Although generally safer than carrying your baby in your arms – you won’t drop your baby if your arms are tired or you trip up – it is important to be careful however you carry your baby.

  • Don’t do any activity that shakes your baby
  • Use a car seat in the car
  • Avoid activities with an increased risk of falling as you would when pregnant
  • Be aware of objects that your baby may bump into or be able to reach.
  • Use an appropriate sling for your baby’s age
  • Dress your baby appropriately for the weather bearing in mind that the slings forms a layer.

When learning to use your carrier practice with a doll or teddy first. Try with your baby when you are both happy and relaxed. It is also helpful to get another adult and a mirror to check your baby and sling, and practice over a bed. Take extra care when learning back carries. You can check your baby when out and about using your reflection in windows.

Get help:

Contact your local babywearing group through Sling Meet, www.slingmeet.co.uk, to find out more about different slings and safe positioning. Always remember to read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Links:

babyslingsafe.com
slingmeet.co.uk
TheBabywearer.com
babyslingsafety.blogspot.com

‘Unsatisfactory’ education

Home education, , , ,

Part of problem here is a wide cultural gap between the school culture and informal learning culture common in home educating families and communities.

Whilst LA officers went to school, taught in schools and predominantly have experience of group based state education – SATs, National Curriculum etc home eduction is NOT school.

It uses very different methods because it is one to one, highly personalised. It is conversation based and independent learning is the norm. Many (maybe most) people without experience of alternative education are unable to assess it, and often are unable to recognise it in progress.

Not only that but sometimes LA officers deem education unsatisfactory because they have an artificial set time for education in mind – and home ed happens every moment of a child’s day – as they play, talk and explore their world. Other times it is deemed unsatisfactory because a family chooses to submit a written report rather than accept visits which can be highly stressful and particularly damaging for children with special needs or who have had bad experiences in school.

Sending teachers and school inspectors to assess home education is like getting the Pope to assess a Muslim, Jewish or CofE’s families religious views and practices.

There are many different approaches to education – many of which are not used in state schools so experience of school based education is hardly a qualification to assess home education.