Emergency Childbirth

Susana Baig of Emergency Childbirth was the first person I heard talk about baby slings
being emergency preparedness items. Our family has benefited immensely from the practical use
of babycarrying since the birth of our first child, nine years ago. My sling has come in handy as a
lightweight baby blanket, as a changing pad and pillow when on the go, as a discreet covering when
in the predicament of needing to nurse in public, to free my hands so that I can get housework done
while holding my baby and to ward off well meaning, but aggressive baby "snatchers" at church
services or elsewhere. Besides all of that, slings are fun. They're the best way for new parents and
grandparents to show off their new gift from God. Sweetest of all for me has been the mother -child
bonding which is inherent in babywearing, long after the very deep maternal-infant bonding that takes place directly after a well-managed birth. Yet, with all of
the ways I've used a carrier, never once did I consider it to be an emergency device.

This morning, Susana shared with me a link to WearYourBaby.com which is currently
featuring video demonstrations of emergency babycarrying in lieu of Hurricane Katrina.
Shortly thereafter, I came across this article , "New Orleans Disaster Has Message
for Our Country," which analyzes the lesson the New Orleans disaster has for us, saying
that "Americans are great at improvising responses to emergencies, and at rushing aid to
their neighbors," but that "Americans are often not good at preparing for attacks and
emergencies, even when the handwriting is on the wall in letters 10 feet high." The writers
conclude with a powerful warning, "In spite of our best security efforts, a major terrorist attack
-major enough to make 9-11 look like a prelude -is possible. And the potential for gigantic natural
disasters isn't limited to the Gulf Coast. If what happened in New Orleans doesn't wake this country
up to its deficiencies in emergency planning, it is not just sleeping but comatose."

The woman at demonstrating emergency babywearing at WearYourBaby.com may not be a Christian,
but I felt the Holy Ghost in what she is doing and in her kind words to fellow victims of Katrina. The brunt of Hurricane Katrina may be past. But who knows what's in store for the future in the United States?
Visit WearYourBaby.com. Let your children lead the way in reviewing the videos over and over until they
have mastered and are teaching you and others the art of emergency babywearing.

If you are one of the growing numbers of mothers who carry their babies as a matter of
habit, be sure to mention to anyone who comments on your sling, what a wonderful
emergency preparedness device and practice it is and how it is one that they should have too!

A final note: Keep in mind that neither babywearing, with it's myriad benefits, nor studying
emergency childbirth procedures or basic emergency preparedness (including the storage
of clean, drinking water means anything if one hasn't taken the primary step -the essential and
first step of readiness in obeying the everlasting gospel.

# posted by Emergency Childbirth @ 2:30 PM