Cooking Caution
Most sling companies will tell you not to cook in the sling. We, at Nato Bello, think this is good advice but not very practical. While we do advise you not to cook in the sling, we would also like to tell you how you might make cooking with a baby on your hip safer.
Even if you are not doing heavy cooking in the sling, you will most likely check a pot on the stove from time to time. Plus little ones love to watch what’s going on in the kitchen. It’s very interesting and a good time to introduce them to new and different foods.
So, when you are near the stove - Be Careful! It only takes a second for a little one to grab a pot handle or touch a hot pan. I am speaking from experience. Both of these things have happened to me.
If you do choose to cook in the sling, here are some tips to help you avoid danger:
- Tuck sling tail completely out of the way by pushing up and under your baby’s bottom, between you and your baby. No portion of the tail should be showing. It should be entirely tucked in.
- Make sure to put pots on back burners whenever possible.
- Always hold baby far away from stove with one arm, while reaching to the pot with the other. Basically, instead of facing the stove with your body, you are turned side ways and holding the baby as far away as possible. Put your arm around the baby in the sling. You can usually tuck one of their hands under your arm and hold the other hand with your hand. This completely immobilizes them as you are attending to the stove with your other arm.
- Watch out for little grabbing hands when preparing food - they’re fast! A knife or sharp object lying out on the counter can be snatched up in a second of distraction. If your baby is on you hip and near the counter, be aware of what objects are within reaching distance of the sling.
Our goal is for you to be hands-free in the sling but not care-free. Be thoughtful about your situation and environment and aware of your baby when using your sling. We wish you safe, happy sling wearing!