Frequently asked questions:

Can the baby breathe in there? (In positions with the head covered)
Yes, she can. Do not let anybody bewilder you by telling you that your baby looks too hot, too cold, too lose, too squished or too suffocated in the scarf. As with any other parenting concerns, you are the expert.

Can I take the class even if I cannot afford a scarf?
Even though the hand woven scarves have certain qualities that make them ideal for this purpose, a home made one from cotton interlock or cotton muslin cloth, for example, will certainly do the job and still be superior to other commercial baby carriers, especially for a preemie or babies prone to colic or hip dysplasia.

How long can I carry my baby, and what’s the weight limit for the scarves?
There are no rules except your own. You may carry your baby as long as you feel comfortable doing so or see the need for it. And the weight limit is your limit. I carried my daughter "full time" (meaning she didn’t have a stroller) until she was two and 30 pounds, and then occasionally thereafter. She is four and over 40 pounds now, and I carried her through the fresh snow the other day. Most people will carry their babies until they can walk.

How do I keep baby warm in the winter and cool in the summer?
You may want to carry a smaller baby under your coat in the front and a toddler in a snowsuit over your coat on your back in the winter.
As for keeping cool: Since babies usually generate so much heat, it may be hard to keep from sweating where your bodies touch. Unless it is over 100 degrees outside, the babies rarely seem to mind.

Is it hard to figure out the different positions from the instruction sheet?
Yes and no. This way of carrying your baby does require a lot more learning and practice than snapping a buckle or tying a ring closure like in the commercial baby carriers. Don’t get frustrated, if you cannot find the perfect fit right away. Some people give the instructions a glance and have it down pat; others will have to call back for assistance. There are always at least one or two techniques that will work for you.

Will I need someone to help me put the baby on my back?
No, all the techniques are designed so that you can do them anywhere and by yourself.

Should I take the class before or after I have my baby?
Either one possibility has its advantages. Even though you have to practice with a doll, you might find it easier to get around to taking the class before you have the baby. Some people like to take the class before birth because they don’t know how soon they’ll feel well enough to attend postpartum and because they want to carry the baby right away. If you’re not too worried about that, attending the class with the baby has the advantage that you get to try it out during the class with the live baby and can get the best possible feedback from me while you have me. I’ve had babies anywhere between two days and eight months old attend. It’s never too soon and never too late to take this class.

If you would like more in depth information about Carry Me Close and the subject of baby carrying, read the article "Carry On" from the October 29, 2000 edition of the Chicago Tribune.