It’s You and Me Baby

The benefits of babywearing are real.  Studies have even proven it.  For example, neonatal intensive care units that take care of premature and ill babies use what they call “kangaroo care” in which a premature baby is wrapped, skin-to-skin, up against the mother’s or father’s chest. The parent rocks, holds, and gently moves with the baby. The rocking motion, the skin contact, and the rhythmic motion of the parent’s chest during breathing produces the following beneficial effects:

• More stable heart rates
• More even breathing
• A healthier level of oxygen in baby’s blood
• Faster growth
• Less crying and increased time in the state of quiet alertness
• Better sleeping

Researchers believe that using kangaroo care helps the parent act as a regulator of baby’s physiology, including reminding the baby to breathe. In other experiments, infants with breathing difficulties were placed next to a teddy bear stuffed with a mechanism that seemed to “breathe”; these babies also had fewer times of breathing pauses. When the results of this ”teddy technology” hit the newspapers, a reader wrote in, “Why not use the real mother?”  The same thing happens when you wear your baby in an infant sling.

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.

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 a baby is worn in a baby sling carrier attached to his mother he feels the rhythm of her breathing, the beating of her heart, and the movements she’s making.  For newborns and young infants this stimulation helps them regulate their own physical responses.  For example, being held in a sling exercises a baby’s vestibular system which controls balance.  The sling is like a transitional womb for a new baby whose nervous system is learning to control his bodily functions and movements.  Research has shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight at a faster rate and are sent home sooner than babies who aren’t.  Mechanical swings and other holding devices do not provide the same benefits.  Wearing your baby this way has been practiced for centuries around the world and is gaining a more recent increase in popularity in Westernized cultures.  While using a sling baby carrier provides developmental benefits to baby and promotes bonding, it also provides a huge convenience to caregivers who use them, is comfortable and ergonomic (distributes baby’s weight across one’s back to take the strain off one’s arm). 

In general, bonding with your baby is a natural process, not one magical moment.  There are things that can interfere with bonding like a difficult or complicated birth or a fussy, difficult to console baby or breastfeeding difficulties.  Developing a close relationship with your child really is one of life’s greatest joys as a parent.  There are a host of  things that foster bonding and attachment that come naturally to parents such as smiling, talking to your baby, holding, soothing, and responding to his or her needs.  Have you heard of babywearing?  Babywearing is a term that refers to holding, carrying, or wearing in a sling baby carrier.  Babywearing is a nice way to have baby close and build that love and attachment.

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.

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.

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?

Once you have a newborn you realize how hard it is to get anything done.  And although it is a joy to hold your baby there are other things that need to be done–like making sure you eat!  So instead of using a swing or bouncy seat join the growing number of parents who use fabric infant slings or wraps to hold your baby as you move through your day.  You will get the pleasure of holding your baby and your baby will enjoy being near you.

 Wanting to hold your baby is of course a natural desire and 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 sling 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.  Follow your natural instinct to hold your baby and reap the benefits!