It’s You and Me Baby

We all are constantly exposed to forms of sensory stimulation.  Ads are everywhere.  Cell phone chimes ring.  TVs are on in the backround.  You may not be able to avoid all of it but you can take steps to help your baby not get overstimulated.  According to pediatric expert Dr. T. Berry Brazelton, an infant has an individual threshold for stimuli which can be used for organization and learning.  Stimulation which exceeds this threshold overloads the infant and sets up defenses which can be costly to future development.  Some things you can do are as follows:  1)  Limit TV time–for everyone in the house.  Don’t have it on in the background.  Decide which shows are important and turn it off all other times.  Babies do not need TV.  Baby DVDs and shows are abundant but no studies have shown that they are actually good for babies.  2)  Turn off your phone.  You don’t have to be accessible to everyone all the time.  Callers can leave a message when you are having quiet play time or reading time with your baby (reading is even good for young infants–point to the pictures and name them).  Babies enjoy the sound of your voice and they learn about their native language.  3)  Protect sleep times and avoid car naps–that baby gym class or play group is not more important than a good nap.  Sleep helps brain development.  It makes for a much happier child who can gain so much more from activities and social interaction when well-rested.  4)  Consider wearing your baby.  Wearing your child in a fabric infant sling or baby carrier close to mom, dad, or another caregiver helps him or her feel safe and secure.  Children can explore their environment visually from your level.  This can help them from feeling overwhelmed.

Colic is a term that most people have heard about even if those don’t have children.  Expectant parents often fear that their baby will have colic.  Colic is a term used to describe unexplained crying in a very young infant.  It can start as early as one month of age.  Colicky infants cry for long periods during a day with a sudden onset, intense cry, and inconsolability.  One way to help with colic is to wear your baby in a baby sling, pouch or wrap.  This gives the baby the comfort of being held closely, hearing and feeling the caregiver’s heart beat and respirations, and feeling the warmth of the caregiver’s body.  This simulates the womb and can be very soothing.  Baby slings and carriers are also ergonomic which eases some of the physical burden of holding the child.

Wearing your baby in a baby sling promotes bonding.  For me it started out as a necessity and I’m so glad it did.  My first son was very demanding.  He wanted to be held all the time, did his fair share of “normal crying” and was not a good sleeper.  Thank goodness my lactation consultant sold me my first sling when my son was a week old.  We used it alot.  Recently, my 5-year-old started saying “I love you.”  I can’t help but think that how I handled those early days made a big difference in the love we share today.

I can’t even imagine what it must have been like for mothers 100 years ago. First of all, they had to use heavy glass bottles for feeding. They didn’t have the benefit of canned baby food. And, they had no infant carrier to trasnport their babies in. Technology has done wonders for mothers.In the last century crafty inventors have developed infant carriers that make like far easier for mothers.

These carriers can cradle your baby in comfort whether at the home, the park, or the supermarket. There is no end to the benefits of owning a high quality infant carrier. Moms also will always feel confident that their babies are safe and secure.

Get rid of your old bulky baby carrier seats and welcome in the technology of the millenium. In these days when many mothers must balance working and taking care of their newborn babies, there’s nothing better than having baby slings to make carrying baby easier. These baby slings keep an infant closer to mom and increase the bonding between mother and child. Despite what some people may say,  parents can’t “spoil” an infant by touching them or holding them close.

Scientific research has shown that touch stimulates brain development. Infants may also benefit from massage. Massing your infant for 15 minutes per day has been shown to reduce crying, help your baby sleep, improve weight gain, and improve eye contact. Baby slings allow mothers to hold thir babies close all the time knowing they are improving their child’s quality of life.

Whether it’s in an innovative carrier or just a good old-fashioned baby sling, research proves that this method of spending time with your baby has long-term positive effects. For Dad, Mom, even siblings and grandparents - this popular method increases the unbreakable and loving bond between your baby and your family.

Wearing your baby in a fabric baby sling, also referred to as babywearing, provides an excellent start for social development, learning, and much more.  Babywearing is great for soothing young infants or just keeping older infants and toddlers close to you. There are options to fit every lifestyle and every use.

  Now that my children are no longer babies I often look back on those days.  Going into motherhood I had no idea about babywearing, wearing your baby in a fabric baby sling, or the tremendous advantages of doing this.  I was fortunate enough to be introduced to my frst baby sling by my lactation consultant in my son’s first week of life!  It was heaven sent.  I wore both of my children often and it was a beautiful way to bond.  I highly recommend babywearing.  Looking back on those precious times I am so thankful I had the babywearing experience.  My children and I are very close and I think very bonded. 

Wearing your baby in a cozy fabric baby carrier, also called a sling or wrap, is comfortable, stylish, and actually good for your baby.  Studies show that babies that are held more cry less.  Moms and dads are more in tune with their baby’s needs when they are worn.  Babies feel safe, secure and are more bonded to their caregivers if they are worn in a baby sling.  There are many reasons that babywearing is so popular.  It is comfortable and convenient for parents and good for babies.

Once you enter the wonderful realm of parenthood there is as much to feel guilty about as there is to feel good about and vice versa.  This is especially true when you get a chance to look back on the early months.  Young children want to be held alot and in general parents want to hold them but then how do you even make a sandwich for yourself!?  Holding your child is a natural desire and some babies demand it more from their parents than others but there’s an easy solution.  Learn how to wear your child in a baby sling.  Many women make it look easy.  You may see them on the street or in the library wearing their child effortlessly (many young babies love to sleep in the sling or a women can discreetly nurse her child in the sling).  It becomes even more helpful when you have a toddler or preschooler to chase after at the same time.  All in all you really can make many moments special by wearing your child this way.  Keeping him or her close, feeling the rhythm of each others’ breaths and heart beats.  It make take some practice and getting used to but it’s one thing you can feel good about.

Everyone loves to see young babies.  Unfortunately sometimes they get too close for comfort especially if the baby is in a stroller or bucket-type carrier.  One way to keep well-meaning people from getting too close is to wear your baby in a fabric baby carrier or baby sling.  There are many wonderful products on the market for babywearing.  The one pictured here is the Cuddly Wrap which is very comfortable and versatile.