Baby Wearing

Baby Wearing is the practice of 'wearing' or carrying a baby in a sling or other carrier. It is a tradition present in many human cultures and almost every Elven one.

History

The babywearing tradition is one that has no specific origin. In human culture the earliest known example is from traditional Inuit clothing, but the tradition seems to have been a part of most cultures for the majority of recorded history. The same can be said for elven culture. In both instances the tradition branches from a need to carry babies for long periods of time: for example, a nomadic culture would need the ability to both carry a baby with them and keep them safe from the elements.

Execution

There are many ways to wear a baby and different cultures prefer different methods. The method used largely depends on available materials, ease of use, why the baby is to be worn and for how long.

Wrapping/Slings

Wraps are a long piece of fabric that is wrapped around the body and baby to hold them in place. This is the most commonly used method of baby carrying amongst Elves as single fabrics are the readiest available resource for most. Though it can be tricky to wrap the cloth in exactly the right way to be comfortable, safe and secure, many Elven cultures who use this method will learn the correct ways from an early age. Slings are similar to wrappings but contain two rings the fabric is threaded through to wrap the baby to the parent's hip.

Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) and Meh Dai

SSCs are one of the most popular forms of baby wearing in the west among humans. They contain padded back panel for the baby and padded straps and a waistband to ensure secure and comfortable carry for both the parent and the child. They are also often called front carriers as the baby will almost always be carried against the parent's chest with their body facing inward. Meh Dai are a traditional Chinese carrier, similar to SSC in that it contains straps and a back panel, but tend to have a soft fabric back panel rather than the firm padded one of SSCs and can be worn on the front or back of the parent.

Cradleboards

Cradleboards are a form of babywearing that was (and still is in some cases) popular among the Native human populations of North America and Scandinavia. They can be made of many different materials but all share structural similarities: a firm, protective frame that supports the baby's back, a footrest and rounded cover over the baby's head not unlike modern carriage hoods. They are usually covered in animal skin or blankets to keep the baby warm, and lined with fresh plant fibres that act as a removable and changeable diaper for the child inside.

Observance

Dark Elves

As the Thin consider babies to still be a part of the parent until they are able to lift their head unaided and open their eyes fully, the wrap they use must be particularly sturdy and able to be worn almost nonstop for around a year. As such, Thin tend to use a handmade cloth and clay device that is functionally a combination of Soft Structured Carriers and Cradleboards which rests against the parent's chest tightly to the skin and is not removed for at least the first month of the baby's life. The parent tasked with carrying traditionally will remain mostly sedentary for this time to reduce strain on both of them. Thin will only use soft wraps after they can lift their head unaided, and these wraps will be used up until they can walk unaided. Dark Elf wrappings tend to be made either of Qiviut or silk and are traditionally worn loosely and slightly to the side to allow the baby room to turn and explore its surroundings with all its senses. Ring slings are also used for this purpose, and Eastern Thin have been known to use Mei Dei.

Wood Elves

Dhamin, much like their Thin cousins, prefer stiffer carries for their babies. The nomadic people tend to only wear wrappings in the case of older children who require extra care or attention, or with children who can walk but not for extended time to give them breaks, in which case they will be worn on the back to allow the parent the most freedom of movement possible, as many will still have to work to provide for or help the clan. Younger babies will be carried in a Cradleboard crafted from available local resources and travel with the clan this way, either worn on the parent's body or transported in a sleigh or other draggable transport.

High Elves

Qealin are the species of elf most likely to use soft wrapping to wear their babies, doing so ceremoniously for milestones of the baby's life as they feel it imbues the child directly with the pride in the parent's body. High Elves in positions of power may also wish to wear their baby in public appearences and thus wrappings are usually made of the finest silks and patterned decorative fabrics, usually in Mei Dei style or Ring Slings depending on personal preference and cultural norm from place to place. Once the child is able to walk, they will be expected to do so and wearing is discouraged outside of exceptional or special occasions.

City Elves

As the Civin evolved and grew in tandem with human culture, often remaining 'stealth' among their ranks, the tradition of babywearing will depend entirely on where and when the family grows. Those who live alongside or among Native cultures are likely to adopt the same methods of babywearing as those cultures, whereas those who grew in western cities are less likely to use babywearing altogether. They are, however, more likely to adopt babywearing methods than their human counterparts in general and adopt what humans would call an "attachment parent style". Western Civin therefore are most likely to use commercially available SSC.

An example of a soft woven baby wrapping