Bubba Moe Sling

[baby_mumma]

Hi i'm 21 and interested in buying a bubba moe sling for my newborn due next month.

I suffer from seizures, as I am epileptic and I was wondering would the slings be a danger hazard? I'm not allowed to hold a license or drive a car because of my epilepsy and have to public transport it everywhere. I believe a bubba-moe sling would be much easier than walking a heavy pram everywhere.

People just have concerns for me and my babys safety if i was to purchase one of these? What do you think?

My epilepsy is controlled and my parents are making me feel like I can't do anything alone because I have epilepsy. They live interstate so are not able to help out and husband works 14 hours a day everyday, so would you recommend that I still get a baby sling, or wipe that idea completely? I'm so frustrated!!!

[suse]

Not knowing how effectively your epilepsy can be managed, it's very hard to say. If you experience a seizure, how much warning do you get? If you don't have warning of your seizures, you would be safer using a pram, I would think, as you can at least have special 'release grip' brakes installed, and use a long tether to attach the pram to you. If you have warning, but roll or move about a lot whilst in a seizure, you would need to be able to get your baby out of the carrier and into a safe place quickly before the seizure actually starts, and if you were out in public and no-one was around to hold your baby the safest place to put them would be a pram anyway. If you always have warning of your seizures and can get into a position (eg: sitting with your back against a wall) where you will not fall forwards or slump over from that position during the seizure, then it may be relatively safe for your baby to remain in a well fitting carrier whilst you have the seizure.

Have you spoken to the Epilepsy Foundation or your doctor about how to manage your epilepsy independently with an infant - they may have good advice.

As this is a quite specialised question - I'm guessing there's not too many people here who have had a condition like epilepsy and worn their babies - perhaps you might consider posting your question on 'thebabywearer' forum (google it) - it is a specialised babywearing forum and much more likely to have members who babywear with medical conditions.

Normally I would not recommend a Bubba Moe (or any other buckled pouch sling) as they are not as adjustable as other types of carriers (eg: ring slings), so safe newborn positioning can be difficult to achieve. But in your case, a clip style carrier that can be easily and quickly undone (either by yourself or by someone coming to your aid) to remove your baby in case of a seizure may be the most appropriate option. The only thing is that if you have a seizure whilst your baby is still in the carrier, it will not be easy to monitor the baby's positioning and he/she may shift into an unfavourable position. (The Bubba Moe has a very deep pouch, and if using it to carry a newborn in a cradle position, care has to be taken to ensure that their chin does not roll forward onto their chest, which can cause positional asphyxia).

I'm not sure I have answered your question - as much as I am an advocate for babywearing and can see there is a huge need for you to maintain your independence I am hesitant to give advice that may not be safe. Maybe you don't need to discard the idea of using a carrier altogether, but you should look into it as much as possible before making a decision, and be satisfied that you have addressed the safety issues that may arise.

I hope this helps

[Glamourcide]

Hi hun, welcome to BB Congratulations on your pregnancy, I hope it all goes really well for you!
Unfortunately I don't know much about any risk that might be present while wearing a sling with a medical condition such as yours, but I just wanted to say that I have a Bubba Moe sling and I ADORE it It's very comfy, even with a heffalump in it (my bub is now 11kgs!), but it does tend to give me a bit of an ache in my shoulder if I wear it for longer periods of time, so that might be something to think about if you're used to spending hours out and about without a pram/stroller handy to relieve you at times.

All the best, I hope some of the other ladies with a bit more knowledge will be along soon to give you some advice, they're a very wise bunch of ladies so hopefully someone around here can help you out Good luck!

[Spoon]

Hi baby muma,
hmm.. hard question.
I would have to agree with suse that baby wearing would depend on you epilepsy. I am the biggest advocate of baby wearing and still wear my 3 year old son!
Is there a trigger for your seizures?
I would think that your safest bet is to be calm and comfortable whilst you are starting out with baby wearing. Practice with a teddy bear or something over and over until you get used to the positions and know how to do it easily.
The worst thing would be for you to get hot and flustered as you wrestle back and forth a baby into a sling without the proper know how and practice. It would be extremely stressfull for the both of you and distressing too!
I agree with suse that ring slings are the best. They are infinitely adjustable which therefore makes them more comfortable. I have a 100knots sling and I love it! Depending on personal preference, I find that unpadded slings are best cos although the idea is that padded makes it comfortable, it really doesn't. Not for you or the baby. If anything, it just gets in the way! To top it off, it's bulky to carry around also! If a sling is well designed, it will be comfortable whatever position you choose to carry your baby.
My advice = ditch Bubba Moe idea and get a 100knots ring sling! They have a life time guarantee!
Happy baby wearing!