It’s You and Me Baby

Many of the baby carriers on the market to day are made with synthetic materials. This may not seem like a big deal, but anything besides the softest natural fabrics can irritate a baby’s sensitive skin. So when it comes to carriers, where your child will be spending a good deal of time, it’s important to choose a material that is conducive to healthy skin.

Cotton baby carriers are always a good choice, as cotton is soft and the vast majority of children won’t have any adverse reaction to it. Try to find cotton that hasn’t been treated with chemicals or detergents, which can be detrimental to the baby. If you choose to go with cotton, cleaning the carrier will be easy, so there’s really no need for these chemicals in the first place.

There has been a lot of controversy revolving around baby wraps as of late, and, in my opinion, much of the news has been sensationalized. If used improperly baby wraps can be dangerous. But this can be said about virtually any product. The truth of the matter is that there are myriad benefits of using a baby wrap, and, when worn properly, they are quite safe.

Before you put your baby in the wrap, it’s a good idea to practice with a doll or stuffed animal to ensure you can tie the knots properly and understand how the child is supposed to rest in the unit. When you are wearing the child, keep a constant eye out to be sure they aren’t getting entangled in the wrap and all of the knots are secure. Like all things baby related, it’s best to be over cautious.

Ever since my sister had her baby a couple of months ago she’s been complaining incessantly about having to carry the child around with her. It’s not that she doesn’t like holding the child, much to the contrary. The problem is her scant upper body strength, which makes holding the child for an extended period time a burden and often causes pain in her lower back.

When I had my first child, I experienced a similar dilemma, and the only answer I could find was an ergo baby carrier. We went online last weekend and purchased one for her, and after using it just once she fell in love. It really is amazing how much relief the carrier provides, but the best part is that you still get to hold and coddle your baby.

The Action Baby Carrier is a lightweight, soft-structured buckle baby carrier.  It is a great infant baby carrier especially in the front carrying position with the child facing in because young infants love to be up against mom or dad’s chest.  With greater needs for sleep they will often sleep comfortably on their caregiver’s chest in this position.  It has enough fabric to support the head and neck of a young baby who may not have good head control.  It can also be used in a front-carrying facing out position for infants who are less likely to sleep and more likely to want to explore.  You virtually can’t carry your baby in the unsafe “C” or fetal position.  It can be used for carrying children on one’s back and since it is designed to be used for children up to 40 pounds you can use it for years!  My 4-year-old is 40 pounds and loves being carried “piggy-back.”

It’s simple to use and to get your child strapped on by yourself, even on your back.  Another nice feature is that the body of the carrier is not padded.  This helps keep you and baby from getting too hot in warm temperatures. 

Some other features include:

• Simple to use sleeping hood
• Adjustable hip belt from 28″ to 51″ with no extender belt
• Folds into a compact size that can easily fit into a diaper bag
• Breathable lightweight yet supportive material 
• Safety chest strap
• Made in the U.S.A.

The action baby carrier is a fantastic carrier.

Throughout my life, I have suffered from severe lower back pain, which has limited the amount of weight I can lift and how long I can stand comfortably. When my son was born last year, I was worried that the pain would detract from the time I could hold him容specially when we were in public. This was a serious concern, so I immediately began looking for products that would allow me to hold him while minimizing the strain on my back.

After consulting with my physician, I decided to tryout ergo baby slings. As with all ergonomic products, they are specially designed to work naturally with your body to reduce tension and provide the highest level of comfort. Although I still try to limit my time on my feet while holding my son, the sling has given me the freedom to carry him in public without physical discomfort.

There was a recent warning that young infants should not be carried in a fetal position in a baby sling (referred to in reports from the consumer products safety commission as the curved or “C” position).  If the baby’s chin is tucked into his chest it can make it difficult for him to maintain an open airway.  So safe ways to carry a young infant in a sling are pictured here.  Baby worn chest to chest, head up but resting on mom or dad’s chest is a safe position.  It is achievable in many different carriers.  For example, the carriers pictured here from left to right are the following:  Kangaroo Korner Adjstable Pouch, Action Baby Carrier (a buckle carrier), Mei Tai, Sleepy Wrap, and the Baby K’tan (light blue)  This position is an excellent position for many reasons.  Not only is it safe but also it allows for skin-to-skin contact  which is a powerful stimulant for regulation of temperature stability and breathing regulation.  Babies know their parents’ scents which helps them feel secure and bonded.  Parents are better in tune with their baby’s needs so they respond to baby more quickly.  This helps baby feel secure and loved–again helping with bonding.  So fortunately one of the safest positions for babywearing  provides many benefits.

Like many mothers, when I first brought my daughter home from the hospital, I was reluctant to let other people hold her, let alone be out of the room. Of course, after a few weeks these obsessive maternal instincts subsided a little, but I am still admittedly overprotective. When I first began bringing her with me when I ran my errands, I wanted to have a safe and secure travel system that would keep her close to me at all times.

Strollers and the like seemed too impersonal, and I certainly wasn’t fond of my baby being on wheels in a crowded area. One of my girlfriends suggested that I try Asian baby carriers. After my first time wearing one, I was in love; the carrier kept the baby close to me so that I could care for her and maintain constant contact

Do you miss being pregnant?  Most women would answer “no.”  It can be very uncomfortable being pregnant–the fatigue in the beginning, for some morning sickness, watching what you eat and drink, the weight gain, heartburn, not sleeping well and of course feeling so big and uncomfortable at the end of pregnancy.  However, there is something intimate about being pregnant–the closeness you have with your baby.  One way to have some of that closeness back is to wear your baby in a fabric baby sling or wrap.  When you wear your baby you and baby feel the warmth of each other, the rhythm of your heart rates and breathing.  It is another way to feel close–building that special bond.

If you know somebody that’s recently given birth to a new child, the best way to congratulate the couple is by offering your help. New parents are often inundated with gifts, but what they really need is time to settle. For this reason, it would be greatly appreciated by the parents if you offered to bring over dinner or clean up the house a bit while they grabbed some much needed shut eye. These little everyday chores can be easy to complete, but they are time consuming. And freeing up this time for the parents will let them get everything they need in order.

After everything has settled down, however, baby gifts once again become very much appreciated. But whatever you’re looking to purchase, make sure that you look into unique baby gifts. If you go with generic products, you run the risk of offering something that the little one already has. Choose little known and engaging pop up books or handmade board games, or you can go for a pragmatic gift like an ergonomic baby carrier, which the parents and baby will both enjoy.

If you haven’t heard of the Baby K’tan baby carrier then you are missing out on a very unique fabric baby carrier.  The Baby K’tan is like having a sling without the rings, a buckle carrier you can use on the hip, and a wrap that is easier to get on and off.  It has a unique double-sling design not found with other carriers.  Not only does it allow for carrying in 8 different positions but you can even carry twins hands-free.

The Baby K’tan has a unique two loop design that holds babies more securely and is extremely easy to use.  It is a cross between a sling and a structured front carrier, therefore, more versatile.  It can hold children on the back, front, or hip.  It is lightweight, washable, and easy to store.  You can have all the benefits of wearing your baby and conveniences of holding your baby hands-free with the Baby K’tan.