Practitioner Profile | Sarah Mahri, Baby Wearing

Why did you start your practice? / What drew you to do this work?

Babywearing was such an integral part of my ability to meet my baby's needs and to build up my self belief in my ability to cope with the intensity of those needs. After I had my third baby I was sharing the love of babywearing with every parent I came across. I soon learned that this was my calling and became certified through The Babywearing School Australia. Babywearing is healthy and important, it has positive impacts on maternal and infant mental health, physical development and emotional growth. There are large gaps in education around safe babywearing in Australia and I am greatly concerned about this, which is why I am so passionate about sharing my knowledge as much as possible. I hope to be part of the solution in addressing the gaps in our skills and knowledge around safe babywearing and bring it back into the mainstream. 

What do you enjoy the most about your work?

It is an honour to play a part in supporting a mother-baby dyad in postpartum and to equip them with knowledge and skill that can lead to a connected and fulfilling early parenting journey. Being welcomed into the homes of women in sacred postpartum and to be able to hold space for them, listen and learn with them is a privilege and responsibility that I do not take lightly. The most rewarding aspect of my work is the joy on the faces of my clients when they experience comfortable babywearing and also watching their babies look up at them in adoration. It's so powerful being able to support a new mother with a skill that can open the world up to her and her baby in postpartum and beyond. Babywearing creates so many possibilities for connection in both the mundane but also the adventurous days exploring in the wild.

What is the most memorable thing you can tell someone about your job?

Recently during a consultation a client of mine was moved to tears by the feeling of freedom she felt with her baby in the carrier. She confided in me that she had a deep fear of being alone with the baby when her partner was due to return to work the next week. She could not imagine how she was going to be able to keep holding the baby but also look after herself. She shared that after the consultation she felt capable and even excited about the possibilities for her and her baby. It's so important to me that mothers feel supported and cared for in post partum and part of that is giving them tools which allow them to thrive, and in the case of babywearing it quite literally gives them their hands back.

Based on your area of expertise, what can you share with our followers around postpartum care?

Postpartum is such a vulnerable time, parents deserve support to learn how to meet their babies' intense need for proximity to them in ways that are sustainable in our modern world. Babywearing is an ancient art that is healthy for both parts of the dyad and in western society it is undervalued and underutilized. In early postpartum we know how important it is to be on the mothers chest, the babys natural habitat. But this need can be overwhelming for a newborn mother. Using a carrying tool can make this prolonged contact more sustainable. When you're holding a baby in one arm it can be difficult to do the most basic self care tasks like buttering toast, brushing teeth, tying up your hair. Carrying baby in a sling or carrier can mean you can keep holding your baby, meeting their need to be close, but meeting your own needs as a whole person too. It's empowering and practical in a way that honours both parts of the dyad.

Consider: actionable tips / practices, educational piece, insights into your area of expertise.

Safety is paramount when it comes to using slings, wraps and carriers with newborn babies.

Here is a checklist to make sure your baby is best supported in optimal positioning.

TICKS

T - Tight : There are no gaps between your body and your baby's body.

I - In View: You can see baby's face and nothing is covering their head at all.

C - Close enough to kiss: Baby is high up on your body, resting their head just under your chin.

K - Keep chin off chest: Baby cannot tip down their head and let their chin touch their chest.

S - Supported spine: is baby squatting into a seat, knees higher than bottom.

 A bit more about my offerings:

I offer in-home one to one consultations in pregnancy and postpartum. My clients gain comprehensive education on safety and ergonomics, optimal positioning and healthy hip development. Consultations include demonstrations for several types of carrying tools which can help determine the best fit for their family. They have the opportunity to try on and learn the features, followed by step by step expert skills transfer on the carrier of their choosing. Families will feel confident and empowered in their new skill to continue to keep their babies close with comfort for the long term. I sell carriers, wraps and slings that can be purchased in consult or via instagram.

See instagram post here.

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