It’s You and Me Baby

The benefits of babywearing and the use of baby slings for nurturing your baby have become increasing well-known.  However, slings can pose two different types of suffocation hazards to babies. In the first few months of life, babies cannot control their heads because of weak neck muscles and their heads are proportionally bigger.  This is even more of a problem for babies who are premature or have been born with a low birth weight.  If worn incorrectly the sling’s fabric can press against an infant’s nose and mouth, blocking the baby’s breathing and rapidly suffocating a baby within a minute or two.  Additionally, when a sling keeps the infant in a curled or fetal position bending the chin toward the chest, the airways can be restricted, limiting the oxygen supply. The baby may not be able to cry for help and can slowly suffocate.  The youngest and smallest babies are at greatest risk.

There are ways to avoid harm.  Putting young infants in a vertical position with their heads up high on mom’s or dad’s chest, they are positioned chest to chest and their heads are turned to the side so that their noses and mouths are clear of any obstruction is one way to keep them safe.  The makers of baby sling carriers have many safety tips and instructions on their websites.  So even if you buy a sling second-hand go to the manufacturers websites and review their safety information and instructions.  

When preparing to attend a baby shower, there are hundreds of different gift choices for new mothers—everything from bottles, bibs, and blankets to toys for girls and boys. The choices can be a little overwhelming, and even if you find a perfect gift, there’s a chance that someone else will have thought to buy the same thing as you. Here are a few unique ideas for baby shower gifts:

~Baby gift baskets, you can find them online or in specialty stores, and they contain a variety of different gifts, some gender specific, some not.

~Clothes for 6 months to 1 year, most people will buy clothes for a newborn, but a mother will greatly appreciate a few sets of bigger clothes she won’t have to purchase as the baby grows.

~Baby skin care products, keeping a baby’s skin healthy is essential, these products will pamper the infant and make them smell ever sweeter.

~Asian Baby Carriers, these traditional baby carriers not only provide reliable transportation but also serve to coddle the baby.

There are many different baby carriers to choose from.  However, carrying your baby in a baby wrap will make a difference in your babywearing experience. Wraps offer advantages over other baby carriers on the market:

1. gives great support for little heads and necks -especially when your baby falls asleep
2. your baby fits just perfectly every time! -no guessing how much room you will need to leave for you baby to fit inside without being too tight or too loose
3. custom fit- simply tie the wrap carrier snug against your body and no matter what body type you are, it will fit!
4. good quality fabric -heavier cotton knit with a touch of spandex-the ideal material for babywearing
5. discreet nursing is no problem -no need to take the baby out of the wrap baby carrier or use any special attachments for privacy
6. your baby’s hips and legs are supported and not just hanging down
7. no pressure points on your baby -no pressure on developing hips or spines like other hard baby carriers which place pressure on your baby’s pelvis
8. holds your baby high -the fabric bounces back unlike the t-shirt like material of other stretchy baby wraps to keep your baby snug against your chest
9. durable -sturdy fabric that doesn’t stretch out or change shape with repeated washing or babywearing
10. feels soft on your baby’s skin
11. adjustable -just enough give so that there is no need for readjusting
12. much more snug than carrying a car seat or other bulky carrier
13. secure -no wrinkles, bulges of loose material, or sagging when babywearing
14. grows with you and your baby -it’s optimal for infants yet you may continue to carry your baby with this wrap baby carrier as long as you are both comfortable
15. no baby is too small -the baby wrap is designed for the tiniest of babies.
16. ideal for kangaroo care - premature infants thrive when in a wrap on mom or dad’s chest
17. one size fits all -adults of all sizes can comfortably wear and share the wrap
18. wide straps over both shoulders so that there is no lopsided feeling like with babywearing in a sling
19. no time limit to how long your baby can stay in the wrap -there are no pressure points on mom or baby so you may carry your baby as long as you and your baby are comfortable
20. no digging straps or poking buckles or buttons -simple design
21. evenly distributes the weight of your baby-much more supported than carrying with your arms, on one shoulder, or your hip
22. instructions are included -no extras to buy
23. perfect for traveling -compact and great on uneven terrain or crowded places
24. cleans up nicely -wash, tumble dry and go!
25. comfortable -moves with you
26. affordable- a great value seeing that your baby will probably begin to walk on his own before he outgrows the wrap
27. natural sleep solution -no plastic, no music, no bouncy seat-just you- calming and soothing your baby with your warmth, your voice, your scent, your movement and your heartbeat.  There is no more natural way to put your baby to sleep.

There’s a reason to touch your baby more often - the threat of Irritable Male Syndrome. We live in a touch deprived world and many of us don’t even notice it - but babies do. Baby boys especially can be affected by the lack of human touch. In her study of indigenous tribes in the South American jungle, anthropologist Jean Liedloff spent 2 ½ years studying children. She found that the little boys in these cultures seemed to be better adjusted than the little boys in modern countries. This may seem like a sweeping generalization to many, but Liedoff believed the boys’ behavior was related to the amount of touch they received from their mothers.

In the South American native cultures, babies were held continuously from the times of their births. Liedoff concluded that the physical practice of holding babies is a vital part of human species development and had become practiced less often in the modern world. The term Irritable Male Syndrome is derived from the idea that males who are not held often enough by their mothers become poorly adjusted children, indulging in bad behavior to get attention. This evidence suggests that mothers need to have more physical contact with their male children. One way to do this is to carry the baby in a baby carrier. Ergo baby carriers keep the baby in constant contact with the mother, while allowing the mother to keep both hands free.

Today’s mother is arguably the busiest person around. She’s trying hard to juggle her young children, the household, and a job. This is a stressful balancing act for many women, and they are constantly looking for ways to get everything done without neglecting any part of their lives. For this reason, many women have learned creative and interesting ways to multitask in order to get everything done.

After all, it’s a common fear that the thing that will get pushed to the wayside is quality time with the children. Mothers who are concerned about choosing chores over their newborns should look into purchasing a Maya baby carrier. This is an easy way to hold your baby close while having your hands free to perform small tasks like doing the dishes or paying bills. It’s also an easy way to take the little one with you to the grocery store without having to haul around a bulky stroller.

As a parent of a newborn, you become part of a whole new world. Newborns need and deserve our full attention. They are new to the world and only understand it through your eyes and love. Newborns are fragile and vulnerable, and patience and gentle care is required of parents and all caretakers of newborns. When I had my first child, I was scared about letting other people hold her, so I purchased an ergonomic sling for them to use when carrying her.

Share with others the need to be respectful of, and patient with, your newborn. Call upon others, such as family members and friends, to help you with your infant in order to be able to take care of yourself. Sleep when your baby sleeps, and eat regularly-you will need your strength to care for your infant.

If you’re about to become a new parent, you may think you don’t need a baby sling or another device to make carrying easy. You may think, “It’s just a ten-pound baby - how heavy can it be?” Think again! Carrying even the smallest baby for a long period of time is exhausting, and your arms will feel like they’re going to fall off after a while.

Plus, you’ll need to be able to use your arms to do household chores, prepare bottles, go grocery shopping and more. Your baby will also be calmer if he is warm and snuggly against your body, rather than apart from you in a stroller. Different parents will prefer different infant slings and carrying devices, so it’s a good idea to try a few to find the best fit. Baby slings come in many different sizes, so they can grow right along with your baby!

 For both beginner and veteran babywearers you’re doing a great thing by carrying your child in this very special way.  Fortunately there are many great baby wrap carriers and baby slings to choose from.  Wrapping and carrying your baby this way creates a wonderful bond between you and your child.  It makes carrying a joy with something to be gained by you–comfort, convenience and closeness–and by your baby–closeness, contentedness and security.  You won’t see a baby worn like this crying.  There is a small window of time to take advantage of this special way of parenting.  Take advantage of it. 

Pouch baby slings are perfect for young infants because babies can just curl up in the pouch and be comforted by the the heart beat they feel in your chest, the rhythm of your breathing and the warmth of your body.  These are all things that mimick being in the womb and are quite soothing.  However, pouches like the Kangaroo Korner Adjustable Pouch (pictured here) are perfect for older infants and toddlers who either just want to be close to you on your hip or who you want to stay with you when the situation warrants it.

Holding your baby alot is a wonderful feeling and babies love it but using just one arm to do it certainly can start to feel like it’s weighing you down.  Well, don’t miss out on all the holding possible but consider making it easier on you.  When you wear your baby in a comfortable sling-type baby carrier like a ring sling or baby wrap carrier you end up making the weight of the child seem lighter by distributing the weight across your back, shoulders and whole body.