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Happy Baby |
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Photo Gallery of Carrier Types |
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| Simple Pieces of Cloth |
Pareos
At least 45 inches wide, and at least 45 inches long. Like the wrap-around skirts worn in Indonesia (Selandangs, Sarongs) and parts of Africa (Kangas).
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Shawls
At least 30 inches wide, and at least 6 feet long. Like the Rebozos worn in Mexico.
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Wraps
At least 20 inches wide and at least 12 feet long. Like an Indian Saree.
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| Structured Carriers |
Podeagis
A pareo with a sewn-on strap. |
Ring Slings
A shawl with rings in place of the knot. |
ABCs
A rectangle with four sewn-on straps. Common in small parts of Asian as well as Africa. |
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What's a SPOC? |
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A SPOC is a Simple Piece of Cloth.   It is exactly that -- just cloth. No rings, buckles, zippers, snaps, metal, plastic, Zelcro, tape or staples. Just cloth. An example would be a shawl, or a pareo. You can do so many different types of carries with them, as well as use them for blanekts, pillows, sunshades, etc. One immediate advantage of a SPOC is that you probably already own several! Mothers in Asia and Africa often use small blankets, towels or their wrap-around skirts to wear their babies. Even if you choose a more structured carrier as your daily favorite, I still advise you to learn to use a SPOC for babywearing, and to teach others, since even in a expected emergency, you'll probably have one with you. Also, they are one-size-fits-all -- babies and parents.
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Simple Pieces of Cloth |
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  The idea of holding a baby with a simple piece of cloth belongs to humanity.
I
love to teach people how to use SPOCs. They are ancient and highly
versatile and are not owned by anyone and anyone can make one. I teach
"Hey let me show you how you can start wearing your baby right now." I
like to talk about SPOCs specifically because they are so simple,
anyone can make one. And because they are so ancient that no one can
claim them. And because they are so versatile, that babywearing is just
one thing you can do with one.
Last week at Subway, I met an
Ethiopian lady who taught me a carry I had never seen -- this is after
14 years of using SPOCs for babywearing--not just for my 3 kids, but my
sister's 4, my friends' babies, etc. Surely SPOCs have been used by
billions of mamas over the years, in uncountable ways of carrying.
Yesterday, I met a Sudanese man in a computer store. He showed me how his wife does it. Again, new to me.
I
love SPOCs because the learning never ends. Because people from all
over the world recognize the "technology" as their own, and identify
with it deeply, and are moved to talk about. Because wearing a baby
with just a piece of cloth *feels* right, down to my bones.
Isn't it great that we all get to choose which carriers work best for us? And which carries? I love that.
Tracy Dower
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Got $5 & 5 mins?
Make a Carrier! |
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Their baby carriers leave a LOT to be desired. But their potties are awesome.
 
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More Help |
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Report a Problem |
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Broken link? Missing image? Misspelled word? Inadequate instructions? Please email maintenance@wearyourbaby.org. I cannot respond to every email, but I do appreciate your help. I will email you back if I can. Thanks, Tracy Dower
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You are a Master Babywearer |
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In China, it is said that "A master is anyone who knows more than you do." So, you are all master babywearers compared with most of the moms in the world. You do NOT need to know everything there is to know about babywearing -- if you know even ONE carry with even ONE type of carrier, you are in possession of knowledge other moms desperately want -- even if they do not yet know they want it. ;-D Therefore, you should all feel confident enough to teach others! So, pick a public place, pick a day of the week, and start sharing your skills with other families! Then, list yourself here.
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