It’s You and Me Baby

 

Did you know there is actually a therapy for colic?  Something you can do for your baby that has been tested?

  A study was published in the medical journal Pediatrics back in 1991.  The title of the article is “Carrying as colic ‘therapy’: a randomized controlled trial.”  The study concluded that “In healthy infants, crying behavior is reduced significantly by ’supplemental’ carrying; that is, increased carrying throughout the day in addition to that which occurs during feeding and in response to crying.” Parents can feel overwhelmed by a colicky baby.  This is where a baby carrying sling can be extremely helpful.  When a baby is colicky and crying more than average extra carrying can help. Parents in this situation would probably want to do anything to help.  Increase the amount of time you carry your baby by wearing your baby in a baby sling, wrap or pouch.  By reducing your baby’s crying and making carrying easier on your body baby slings do a lot to solve this age old problem.

Have you made your baby a sling baby yet?  Sling babies are babies who are worn by their mothers, fathers or other caregivers in a fabric baby carrier, pouch or sling.

Babies worn this way cry less and have more of an opportunity to bond.  Caregivers respond to their needs more quickly which increases a baby’s security and confidence that the world is a safe place.  Since they cry less when held this way there is less stress hormone released and circulating in their bodies which means their immune system will not be suppressed.  Stress hormone is a destructive hormone which releases energy stores from the body.  This means stress or crying can impact a baby’s weight gain and development.  It’s great to know some of these facts.  It helps you see all the advantages of holding or carrying your baby–something most parents are drawn to naturally.  There are so many benefits to making your baby a sling baby.

When you try to do a search for a baby sling the search engines will bring up the phrase best baby slings.  So which are the best?  Well, since wearing or holding your baby this way has become more popular there has been a dramatic increase in products on the market for carrying your baby this way.  That’s why it’s difficult to say which one or ones are absolutely the best.  It really boils down to what you prefer.  Here’s a few thoughts on how to choose.

Baby Slings

A baby sling typically means a one-shouldered carrier. These types of slings are great for infants including newborns as well as toddlers. Newborns and young infants are usually carried in a cradled position and they often will fall asleep in it. Slings are great for fussy babies who often calm more easily when held close and tight. For older infants and toddlers you can use the sling to carry them on the hip.  Baby slings that have rings usually have a generous amount of fabric that hangs down from the rings, referred to as the ”tail.”  This can be used as a cover up for nursing.  Maya Wrap ring slings have a pocket at the bottom of the tail which can be used to hold things like keys, an extra diaper, a small wallet or your cell phone.  This allows you to leave a bulky diaper bag in the car.  It’s very versatile.

Wraps

Stretchy wraps, such as the CuddlyWrap, use both shoulders. This provides great comfort and support for both wearer and child. It distributes the child’s weight evenly across the wearer’s back. They are easy for beginners. There is only one tying method. They are great for newborns and infants. Easy in. Easy out. Better for carrying your child in the front–either reclining, upright, facing in, facing out or side sitting. Carrying on the back is not recommended with stretchy wraps. There is alot of fabric so it can get hot.

Back Carriers & Buckle Carriers 

The Mei Tai (pronounced “may tie”) is the asian style back carrier but your child can also be carried on your front.  The child’s weight is supported by both shoulders and one’s hips. It can be used to carry a child, newborn to 3 years.  Buckle carriers like the Action Baby Carrier allow you also to carrier your child on your frnt or back but not on the hip.

We all want the best for our babies, right?  Well, then consider what you use to hold, carry, and transport your baby.  Unlike strollers, baby slings provide complete comfort to your child.  Because of the environment of a baby sling your child experiences the motion, pressure and warmth sensations they actually want.  When you see a baby in a fabric baby sling or wrap they aren’t crying or trying to get out.  Baby slings also provide safety, security and an on-going opportunity for bonding.  What more can you ask for?

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.

How would you ever be able to push a stroller on the terrain in this picture?  Well, wearing your baby makes perfect sense in this scenario but it also makes sense in so many situations and ways. Babies like to be held so wearing them in baby sling carriers keeps them content.  By using a sling or wrap baby’s weight is distributed throughout your upper body which takes the strain and fatigue off one arm or side.  Babies can easily fall asleep which allows you to go about your activities without disturbing them.  Baby slings are also easily transported and stored.  Loading and unloading strollers just adds to the demands on your body.  It makes sense that a high-quality baby sling is essential baby gear.

Certainly if you are breastfeeding your child you know that he or she wants to be near you and next to you alot.  Well, wearing your baby in a baby sling carrier or nursing sling is a great adjunct to breastfeeding.  While being worn in a sling your baby will have the benefit of feeling your warmth and the rhythm of your breathing and heart rate.  These are very soothing to a baby.  Your baby also knows your scent.  Being carried this way results in an more content baby.  Studies have shown that babies who are held more cry less.  There are physiologic and emotional benefits.  Babies who cry less have lower levels of stress hormones circulating in their bodies.  This is better for weight gain and development.  In addition, babies who cry less feel more safe and secure which helps with attachment to their caregivers.

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!

Non-specific crying during the first few months of life can make parents feel insecure.  When parents cannot find any reason for the crying and because it becomes worse each week, they assume naturally that they are doing something wrong in caring for their children.

In societies where infants are in close physical contact with their mothers and other close adults, there is less non-specific crying.  Human infants have been carried around by mother throughout the whole of human history.  So we must seriously ask ourselves whether children are able to manage in the first few months of their lives without constant physical contact with their mothers and other familiar adults.  That’s why the use of baby slings has become so popular and so important.

The term “ergonomics” is thrown around somewhat liberally, but few people have a solid understanding of what it actually means or entails. Customers rush to buy ergo baby slings, keywords, backrests and other merchandise, but are the extra costs really worth it? The answer from experts is an almost unanimous “yes”!

Ergonomics is an actual science that works to design products that properly fit the user and reduce strain and repetitive stress injuries. Not only do the products work to increase your health, but their anatomically correct design has also been proven to increase productivity. While many of us may think that this science is relatively new, the earliest developments of ergo technology can be traced back to Hippocrates and ancient Greece.