It’s You and Me Baby

 Over the last several decades, the baby products industry has developed a wide range of products that promote separation not closeness.  For example, infant swings and bouncy seats.  These devices basically hold your baby for you while you try to eat or even go to the bathroom!  If you choose to wear your baby in a fabric baby sling, pouch, or wrap then you have the opportunity to get all the benefits of having your baby close, plus the convenience of having your arms free to take care of your own basic needs.   There are important benefits to you and your baby being in close contact through babywearing.  For example, by wearing your baby you provide 3 familiar elements:  1) steady heartbeat, motion, and closeness.  When carried a baby shares in rocking, walking, and talking with the caregiver which reduces fussing.  The rhythm of the parent’s breathing stabilizes baby’s breathing and the warmth of the caregiver helps the baby regulate his or her own temperature.  Being held increases calming hormones and decreases levels of stress hormones in the baby.  Most important is the bonding that takes place when you hold and comfort your baby.

When it comes to carrying my little girl, Dawn, I want to ensure that she is comfortable and warm at all times.  I’ve found that Dawn cries if I put her in a stroller or a traditional baby carrier or basket.  Thus I started using a baby sling wrap, and since, Dawn just falls asleep right in front of me and seems at peace.  I can take Dawn just about anywhere, and whenever she’s in her baby sling wrap, she just cuddles up against me and sleeps.  It’s great when I need to go to the store or even go into work for a few minutes because Dawn will just sleep and I can do all I need to do without interruption. 

I think Dawn and I even have more fun playing when we are together because she doesn’t fuss when I need to do stuff around the house or out and about.  I’m so thankful I have my baby sling wrap! 

Ergonomics is the scientific study of human needs, and ergonomists theorize about methods in which to accommodate those needs.  For example, one of the most commonly recognized ergonomically developed products is the ergonomic keyboard.  This helps keep the hands from cramping or developing carpel tunnel syndrome for people who spend large portions of the day on their keyboards.  Much of ergonomics is focused on studying situations humans find themselves in often, such as in front of a computer, inside the car, or carrying an infant.  You will find automobile interiors designed to ergonomic standards, as well as ergonomic baby carriers that can support the weight of infants and still leave the mother or father’s back aligned. 

There are hundreds of issues that are caused by people straining themselves in seemingly common situations; conditions like neck pain, back pain, and tiredness can all be attributed to something simple like a non-ergonomic chair. 

There’s no doubt about it children love to be held.  Whether it’s a newborn, infant, or toddler they love to be in the arms of their caregivers.  If your child won’t let you put him or her down and your arms are sore then consider wearing your child in a fabric baby carrier.  There are many baby carriers (also called slings) on the market to help you wear your child.  Some popular brands are Kangaroo Korner adjustable pouches, Hotslings, Maya Wrap, Moby Wrap, Cuddly Wrap, Mei tai-style carriers and others.  If your not sure which would be best for you see our post on How to Choose.  Wearing your baby this way is much more comfortable, ergonomic and versatile.  Plus it gives your child the advantages of being close to you–they feel the rhythm of your heart beat and breathing, are protected from overstimulation, can nurse discreetly, and can see the world from your vantage point.  It’s much more enjoyable for both of you.

Once you have a child your life is never the same.  With each additional children added to a family the dynamics among family members change.  Sibling rivalry is a natural phenomenon.  It’s inherent for survival that each child knows that he or she is still loved and adored just like a new sibling.  As a child gets older he or she becomes more independent so is less dependent on mom or dad to meet every single need.  But all children still strive to be loved and nurtured.  So is there anything you can do to help the situation when a newborn comes along?  Well, young infants want to be held alot so you can accomplish two things by wearing your young infant in a fabric baby carrier like a Maya Wrap, Moby Wrap,  Cuddly Wrap or Kangaroo Korner adjustable pouch.  It takes care of the holding of the young infant while freeing up your hands to play with, hug or attend to your older children.

I’m a mother of five, with a sixth on the way, and throughout the years I’ve used a lot of different baby carriers.  Everything from baskets, to slings, to wraps, to bed sheets; if an infant can rest in it, I’ve used it.  Though through all my experiences, I’ve noticed that the cuddle wrap I bought years ago seems to be most preferred by babies from birth to about six months old.  Babies seem to be more comfortable and fall asleep faster when they’re pressed close to the mother’s skin (my two sons especially). 

I’ve seen newer cuddle wraps in various stores and online, most seem to follow the same original design, and I imagine would work just as well as they did with my five little ones.

The Cuddly Wrap is a baby carrier made of a single piece of fabric that is designed to go around the child and both shoulders of the adult caregiver. It is comfortable for the child and the adult. Its ergonomic design helps distribute the weight of the child evenly to be easier on the caregiver’s back.