A guest post by Bitsy
[This is an entry in our non-fiction writing contest where you could win - First Prize a 10 Person Deluxe Family Survival Kit, Second Prize an Herb Seed Bank or Third Prize a copy of Dirt Cheap Survival Retreat. For complete rules and list of prizes see this post.]
Imagine this scenario: You and your kids (one infant and one young child) are stranded in your car. To get to safety, you need to hike 10 miles across rugged terrain.Exactly how quickly do you expect to move when pushing a baby stroller?
Or consider this possibility: Members of your surviving group have small children. It becomes necessary to bug-out to a different location. Due to an EMP attack, the only option is traveling on foot. How do you transport the kids?
Even a more basic situation could result in the need for carrying an infant or toddler. Perhaps every single adult hand needs to be busy tending the garden, preserving food, defending your location, and hauling water. Who has the time to keep an eye on the baby to ensure he or she doesn’t choke on a stray(now worthless) dime?
The solution is simple, basic and hundreds of years old: Wear the baby.
Baby wearing means wearing a baby on your body, usually in a sling, wrap or carrier of some type. It’s a type of baby transport that has been utilized in countries around the world for centuries. In recent years, it has become more popular in the United States. Some parents—particularly those who follow the“attachment parenting” school of thought—believe thatbabywearing promotes a bond between the child and parent. This may be true, but for preppers baby wearing has practical implications.
Personally, I have carried both my children in this manner simply because it gives me the freedom to use both hands when I need them. With my infant, I find strapping her to my body is easier and less cumbersome than trying to drag a car seat into stores and restaurants.
You’ve probably seen people carrying their babies on the front of their bodies—nestled against the parent’s chest—in a Bjorn carrier (or a similar brand). A front carry for small infants is necessary to ensure that the child is safe and its head is supported. Unfortunately, this also impedes the parent’s ability to reach and bend. However, once a baby reaches the age of 4 months or so, it can be moved to the parent’s back. This makes for a much easier carry and allows greater reach for the parent’s arms.
There are a variety of carriers and each has its pros and cons. Some are designed specifically for hiking(Kelty is a popular brand) and have a metal frame. However, I tend to think the one with the easiest learning curve and the most versatility is the soft-structured buckle carrier.
The soft-structured buckle carrier doesn’t require any type of special tying or wrapping. You simply adjust it to fit your body and snap the buckles after the child is in the carrier. Most can be used to carry a child on the front of your body or on your back (just as you would carry a backpack).
Although most soft-structured buckle carriers are rated to a certain weight limit for the child, you could definitely push those limits in a SHTF situation. Ergo is one of the more popular brands of baby carriers, and it was tested carrying a 90 pound adult!
Personally, I carried my first child in a soft-structured buckle carrier until she was two years old. I would have carried her longer (simply for convenience) if I hadn’t gotten pregnant with my second child. But if I ever need to bug out on foot,I would have no qualms about carrying a five-year old child in this manner in a sturdy carrier.
The cost of these carriers can be prohibitive, totaling $100 or more. But if you have babies or toddlers in your family, they are well worth the investment. In addition, you can usually find them cheaper by browsing “babywearing” message forums on the Internet, where baby wearers offer their used carriers for sale. Ebay is another option for finding inexpensive used carriers.
I have often wondered how we would transport our kids—and move quickly—if the SHTF and walking on foot would be necessary. Carrying an infant in my arms while holding the hand of a small toddler isn’t likely to get us very far. As a result, I keep a carrier for each kid in my car at all times. I also have a few extras stashed around my house. If there’s any chance your SHTF posse might include babies or small children, I highly recommend you include a baby carrier among your provisions.
One small bit of advice: Practice wearing your child! In a SHTF situation, you don’t want to waste time learning how the carrier works. It’s better to be adept at these carriers (which actually take very little practice) before you NEED to know how to use them. In addition, if you have small kids, spend some time walking while you wear them. This gets the kids used to being in the carrier (Some kids love it. Mine typically fall asleep when I wear them.) and also gets your “babywearing” musclesacclimated to the extra weight.
