Bed-sharing is a popular way to help bond with your baby. There are many opinions both for and against it. Probably the most important issue is whether it is safe or not. A national survey done in 2003 found that the percentage of parents and infants sleeping in the same bed at night doubled between 1993 and 2000. However, from an analysis of death certificates nationwide the rate of fatalities attributed to unintentional suffocation and strangulation in the first year of life quadrupled between 1984 and 2004. It’s hard not to see the correlation. Babies should have a separate sleep surface with a firm mattress and be placed on their backs with no blankets, pillows, staffed animals or other objects that could suffocate them . Well, fortunately there are many other ways you can use to help foster the parent-infant and parent-child bond. 1) Hold. Wear your child in a fabric baby carrier. 2) Read. 3) Play. 4) Sing. 5) Learn and perform infant massage. These are just as important and as powerful as sharing a bed.
You certainly learn so much after you become a parent. It’s not uncommon to come across information after a child is older that may have made a difference in his or her life when he or she was young. Well, then, we hope this post finds you when your baby is young. Though it’s really never too late to do lots of holding and cuddling.
Wanting to hold your baby is of course a natural desire but the truth is that you really can’t hold your baby too much. You can’t spoil him or her this way. There are a number of physical and psychological benefits to holding your child. In fact, you may want to consider “wearing” your child in a fabric baby carrier, pouch, or wrap. Holding or wearing your baby reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51%. It enables the child’s caregiver to be more acutely aware of the baby’s needs and heightens one’s perceptions of the baby’s needs. It increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion. It provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing the nervous system. It decreases the baby’s levels of stress hormone which results in a more relaxed baby. It also helps a child feel safe and secure ultimately resulting in a greater self-esteem. If you see a mom or dad wearing their baby or toddler ask them how much they like it. It’s a natural!
When it comes to babies, it’s astounding how quickly they grow out of clothes, toys, and bedding! Parents of newborns are always thankful for baby care products their infants won’t grow out of right away. When shopping for things like strollers, high chairs, and cribs, there are often convertible options that can care for infants and toddlers. In terms of baby carriers, items like the Maya baby sling will allow you to carry an infant and a toddler up to 40lbs. It’s always best to buy products that will last longer than the first year if possible.
New parents always have dozens of expenses associated with their baby, and saving wherever you can will allow you to put money away for their college, or spend a little on yourself now and then too!
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.
For many of us winter means cold weather. If you want to keep your baby at just the right temperature then consider wearing him or her in a fabric baby sling or wrap. The Cuddly Wrap and the Kangaroo Korner baby sling are just two of the many on the market that will keep your baby close to you at a consistent 90 degrees (skin temperature).
Well then you are not alone. In general children want to be held. Believe it or not there are alot of benefits to holding young infants. Children who are held more are more secure and content. The only problem is that it can be difficult. It’s hard to do everything with one hand. You can overcome that obstacle by wearing your child in a fabric baby carrier or baby sling. Baby slings are comfortable, convenient, and versatile. They are also ergonomic. They spread baby’s weight out across your shoulder and back. There are many wonderful slings and carriers on the market.
I am so glad I wore my children in a baby sling when they were young. They are now 5 and 2 1/2 years old. They are loving, affectionate little boys and I attribute some of that to the fact that I had them close to me often in my wonderful Maya Wrap baby sling. Yesterday I was reminded how a parents’ opportunity to hold or wear their child can be short lived. I was holding a friends infant who is 8 onths old. He was learning to crawl and very excited about his new skill. As soon as he got into the arms of any adult he would lunge toward the floor. This was his way of letting you know he wanted to get down and crawl. At 8 months he was already wanting his autonomy! So while they are still young hold them or wear them as much as you can. It can change quickly and they might not want to be in your arms for long.