What is baby wearing?
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What is baby wearing?
Baby wearing is a practice that consists of carrying your baby against you in a vertical position using a baby carrier or a sling. Baby wearing allows the parent to maintain physical contact with their child in a simple and comfortable way while having their hands free.
Why baby wearing:
Baby wearing offers many advantages for both the baby being carried and the person carrying them, provided that certain safety rules are respected.
The advantages of baby wearing for babies
- Promote the baby's good adaptation to the outside world. When baby wearing, the child is in contact with the warmth and smell of their mother or father. They also hear their parent's heartbeat. It is a sound that they know well, because they heard it when they were in their mother's womb.
- Baby wearing also allows for skin-to-skin contact. Help with the child's good physical development. Carrying a baby strengthens the muscles in the neck and back, which helps improve tone.
- The movements of the parent carrying also help improve the child's sense of balance. In addition, carrying reduces the risk of flat head, because carried babies are less often in a seat or lying on their back.
- Reduce crying. Carrying a baby can soothe and reduce crying and agitation.
- Facilitate digestion. Because the baby is placed in an upright position, carrying encourages burping, relieves gastric reflux and can reduce colic.
- Father carrying his newborn in a baby sling facilitate the development of the attachment bond. The affectionate gestures and looks of the parent during carrying stimulate the production of oxytocin in the baby, a hormone that contributes to attachment.
- In addition, carrying helps parents respond more quickly to their baby's needs, which is also beneficial for attachment. Contribute to the child's socio-emotional development.
- The baby being carried benefits from closer contact during social interactions. This would contribute to the development of his self-confidence, but also of trust in his parents and in his environment.
- Comfort the baby. Carrying ensures greater proximity between the parent and his child. The baby can thus hear the voice of his mother or father, see his face, and be exposed to constant movement. This would have a calming effect and give him a feeling of security.
- Carrying would also allow the regulation of temperature and heart rate.
- Stimulate cognitive development. The proximity of the parent during carrying would increase the baby's level of attention and encourage him to explore.
- When the baby is carried, his vision is at the same height as the parent's face. He can thus witness his activities, which stimulates him.
- Promote sleep. The proximity to the parent during carrying would allow the baby to calm down despite external stimulation. This would help him to better regulate his nervous system and therefore promote his sleep.
Can carrying my baby too much can spoil him?
Some parents worry that their baby will be spoiled if he is carried too often. However, there is no need to worry. Since baby wearing is increasingly used and has been practised for a long time in many cultures, we know that babies who are carried develop normally and faster than the ones that aren't being carried.
The benefits of baby wearing for parents:
Whatever baby carrier you choose, it is important to take the time to learn how to use it. Here are the benefits of baby wearing for the parents:
- Provide some freedom of movement. Because your hands are free, parents can take care of their child while going about certain activities.
- In addition to being practical and useful, this can reduce stress for parents. Back carrying increases this freedom of movement even more.
- Strengthen the parent-child bond. Baby wearing allows you to better interpret the baby's signals, because this practice helps parents to be more sensitive to them. They are then better able to respond quickly to their child's needs. This promotes the attachment bond and could also help prevent the baby from becoming agitated.
- Improve the feeling of parental competence and self-confidence. Baby wearing is said to have a positive effect on the mother's mental health. It reduces the risk of depression and decreases depressive symptoms. Parents who carry their baby also feel more able to meet their needs.
- Allowing for more ergonomic child transport. Using a baby carrier would be more ergonomic and practical than carrying the baby in your arms. Certain types of baby carriers also improve the comfort of the parent, because they distribute the weight to different areas of the body (shoulders, back and hips).
- Promoting breastfeeding. Using a baby carrier is associated with a longer duration of breastfeeding, a prolonged duration of exclusive breastfeeding, and a more positive breastfeeding experience for mothers. Carrying would facilitate breastfeeding, because it would promote contact between the mother's body and that of her baby. Mothers who use a baby carrier would breastfeed more often during the day. When breastfeeding is well established, it is possible to breastfeed in the baby carrier, but the baby's position must always be changed before and after breastfeeding.
At what age can you carry a baby?
Baby wearing is not just for parents! In fact, this practice can be interesting for all adults who participate in the care of a baby (e.g. grandparents, friends, nurses).
According to the most recent studies, there is no minimum age to respect. A baby can be carried from the first day of life, provided that he weighs at least 3.2 kg (7 pounds). It is therefore preferable to wait before carrying a premature baby or a baby with a low birth weight.
At first, the baby carrier used must be designed specifically for newborns. Some baby carriers designed for older babies can be used from birth, provided that a newborn accessory is added. This accessory is necessary until the baby reaches a certain weight.
When can you carry a baby on your back?
To be carried on your back, your baby must show good control of his neck and head muscles. He must also be able to hold a sitting position without support. This usually happens around 6 months, but can vary from child to child.
Therefore, it is important to rely on your baby’s development rather than his age to determine if he is ready to be carried on your back.
Until what age can children be carried?
There is no age at which a child can no longer be carried. However, as they grow and begin to walk, run and discover the world, children often become less accepting of being carried. Carrying can still be useful even with a child of 3 or 4 years old on certain occasions (e.g. when hiking).
Some baby carriers have maximum weight limits that are important to respect. Otherwise, the limit is rather dictated by the physical capacity and comfort of the person carrying the child.
How to carry baby?
The different positions are:
Carrying baby belly to belly:
This is the most popular position and the one that allows you to fully enjoy the benefits of carrying. When the baby is carried belly to belly, his legs should be spread naturally and his back should be slightly rounded. Although this position is more often used with young babies, an older child may want to be carried this way when he needs to be reassured.
Carrying baby facing the world:
Baby carried in a baby carrier facing the world is less often in use. Carrying facing the world has been a controversial subject for several years. No serious study has been able to show that carrying a baby facing the world is bad for him.
For this practice to be safe, however, a few essential elements must be respected: The baby must be able to hold his head up alone (around 3 or 4 months on average). The baby must be awake, because sleeping is not safe in this position.
Limit the duration of carrying (around 20 to 30 minutes) to allow the baby a break if necessary. Indeed, a baby in this position is very stimulated by what is happening around him, and this can be stressful and tiring for him. He can then be more irritable. The parent must therefore be attentive to the signals emitted by his baby, such as agitation and crying.
In addition, the parent who carries his child facing the world can quickly feel discomfort because of the way the child's weight is distributed on his body.
Carrying baby on the hip: If your baby is curious and refuses to be carried facing you, you can try carrying him on your hip if your baby carrier allows it or on your back if he is older.
Pleasant for both babies and toddlers, this carrying is done at all times facing the parent. With this type of carrying, the baby is placed on the side of his parent's body, his belly always against his parent.
This position offers better vision and greater freedom of movement for both the baby and the parent. Since the baby's body is turned towards the parent, the baby can still stick his face to his parent if he is overstimulated by his environment.
However, this position involves an uneven distribution of the child's weight and promotes asymmetrical stimulation for the baby. It is therefore necessary to alternate the sides carried.
Carrying baby on the back:
To be carried on the back, the baby must be able to remain seated without support. The baby carrier used must allow safe carrying on the back, and the parent must be sufficiently comfortable during handling to avoid an accidental fall when installing their child on their back.
This practice, often considered to be advanced, carries a greater risk of injury for the baby, because the parent cannot see him. This type of carrying is not recommended for babies under 9 months.
How to put a baby in a baby carrier?
Since every baby carrier is different, refer to your baby carrier’s user manual. Some companies have videos on their website, YouTube channel, or social media showing how to use their baby carrier models.
However, use your best judgment and always follow basic safety guidelines, as some of the videos and manuals in circulation are several years old. Safety information on babywearing may have changed since these videos and manuals were published.
The different types of baby carriers and wraps In addition to the wraps and carriers presented below, there are several others on the market and also some on our shopify store Jem-wellness.com. Most are a combination of the models presented here or are specific to certain cultures. No wrap or carrier is better than another.
There’s no shortage of baby carriers on the market. What you ultimately choose will depend on a variety of factors, including:
- the age or size of your child
- your body type
- your budget
- your personal preferences
The important thing is that the one you choose meets your needs and fits your baby. Here are a list of baby carriers:
The preformed baby carrier, "backpack" type
Preformed baby carrier are the most popular type of baby carrier on the market. Equipped with buckles, straps and belts, it has a semi-rigid band that supports the baby's weight on the parent's pelvis. The straps can be crossed or not. The back of the bag is rigid and provides support for the baby.
Some models are suitable for a newborn, while others require the addition of a newborn accessory. The possible positions and the level of difficulty in using them vary depending on the model chosen.
Baby slings
Baby sling Once properly adjusted, the sling is very comfortable, because it distributes the baby's weight well over the parent's entire body. There are different types of slings: woven, stretchy and hybrid.
- Woven wraps are non-stretchy fabrics that are typically 3 to 5 m long. This type of wrap provides the greatest variety of carrying options, from newborns to toddlers aged 3 tor 4.
- Stretchy wraps are stretchy fabrics that average 5 m long. The fabric provides an easier fit because it molds and supports the baby with minimal handling. However, this type of wrap offers fewer tying options. It also poses a greater risk when used with babies over 15 to 20 lbs (6.8 to 9 kg) and can be uncomfortable for the parent.
- Hybrid wraps are fabrics that stretch in one direction only. They provide the quick and easy support of stretchy fabric, while allowing for more versatile tying options. They are comfortable to use with babies over 20 lbs (9 kg). Wraps come in a variety of sizes. Although most knots can be adjusted depending on the length of the wrap, it is best to choose a size that fits your body. For example, a size 6 would be suitable for a mother who wears medium or large tops. The type of fibers used to make the wrap (cotton, linen, alpaca, pineapple) affects the support and the difficulty of working with the fabric. Care instructions also vary depending on the composition of the fabric.
Using a baby carrier in winter: a good idea?
What is an ergonomic baby carrier?
Regardless of the model, it is best to choose an ergonomic baby carrier, also called physiological. The ergonomic baby carrier allows the baby to be placed in a position that his body would naturally adopt, depending on the strength of his muscles and the control of his posture.
Placing a baby in a position for which his body is not yet ready represents a risk for his physical development. In a baby carrier, the most ergonomic position is to place the baby so that his belly is pressed against the belly or back of his parent with the legs slightly apart and bent to form an "M".
The baby's knees should be slightly higher than his hips to allow his back to naturally adopt a rounded shape. This position would promote good development of the baby's hips. Hip problems and carrying It was long believed that carrying facing the world and using a baby carrier with a narrow seat, that is to say, one that does not respect the "M" positioning, would cause problems with the hips of babies. However, this is not the case. Hip problems are more likely to be caused by other factors, such as genetics, birth position and baby weight.
Can a baby with hip dysplasia be carried?
A baby with hip dysplasia can be carried provided that certain precautions are taken. Studies have shown that carrying can help treat hip dysplasia. However, the carrying positions and equipment used must be adapted to the doctor's recommendations.
Breastfeeding in a baby carrier
Before breastfeeding in a baby carrier, you must be comfortable with breastfeeding as well as carrying. When this is the case, you can try breastfeeding your baby while carrying him. To do this, gently move your baby in the baby carrier so that he can suckle. His head should be lower and to the side to respect the natural position of your breast.
After feeding, place your baby back at an adequate and safe height. Breastfeeding a baby in a baby carrier can however be risky. Be careful if you do this, as there is an increased risk of positional asphyxia, choking or aspiration of milk (milk ending up in the lungs).
Beware of positional asphyxia
Positional asphyxia can occur when the baby’s chin rests on their chest, blocking their airway and making it difficult for them to breathe. When using a baby carrier or sling, the baby’s head and neck must always be well supported to prevent their chin from falling back onto their chest.
If the baby is breastfed in the baby carrier, make sure to reposition their head properly after feeding. Babies under 4 months are at greater risk of positional asphyxia.
Tips for safe baby wearing:
- Read all the instructions given by the manufacturer before using the baby carrier for the first time and follow them. Also watch the manufacturer's videos.
- Make sure your baby's face is visible at all times. Do not let him bury his face against your body or in your clothes. Do not cover his face with a blanket, the baby sling, a nursing cover or anything else.
- Make sure your baby's head and neck are well supported. His chin should not fall onto his chest. Otherwise, he may have difficulty breathing. You should be able to fit two fingers between his chin and his chest. Check his position often, especially if he is under 4 months old or if he has an illness or respiratory failure.
- Avoid activities that could cause him to fall while you are carrying your baby. Falls are the leading cause of injury with baby carriers.
- After breastfeeding in the baby carrier, remove your baby from your breast and place him or her in the correct carrying position. His or her head should be above your chest, and his or her face should be clear.
- Regularly check the condition of the knotting and the quality of the fabric (e.g., strength of the seams) of the baby carrier.
- Before purchasing a baby carrier, check if it conform to the law of the United Kingdom. Also, make sure that the size is appropriate for your baby and for you.
- Adapt the carrying according to the temperature. In summer, do not dress your baby too warmly to avoid heatstroke. Also cover the parts of his or her body exposed to the sun or put sunscreen on him or her. In winter, make sure that his or her feet, hands and head are well protected from the cold.
- Choose a baby carrier that supports your baby’s legs up to the knees, not just the crotch. This way, your child is not hanging by the crotch.
- Make sure the leg openings are small to minimize the risk of falling.
- Be careful when moving around with your child in the baby carrier, especially in crowded areas. An object within reach could be dangerous.
- Also watch out for your baby’s head and body when going through doorways or near hot objects like an oven.
- Be careful when walking on slippery or uneven surfaces, as your center of gravity changes when you carry your baby and this affects your balance.
- Avoid carrying your baby in the same position for more than an hour. Alternate the orientation of your baby’s head regularly to benefit from protection against stiff necks and flat head.
- Never use the baby carrier for any activity that you would not do if you were holding your child in your arms, such as running, playing sports, cooking over a hot surface or flame, driving, etc.
Babywearing after a C-section:
Moving after a C-section helps you recover more easily and prevent complications. When you are no longer in pain and feel able to do so, you can gradually resume low-intensity physical activities, such as walking and baby wearing.
However, avoid placing the baby carrier or sling directly on your scar. For example, a preformed baby carrier may be uncomfortable because it presses on your stomach. Using a baby sling may be more comfortable.
Contraindications to babywearing
If you would like to baby wear, talk to a health professional (doctor, perinatal nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, chiropractor) if your child:
- had a low birth weight;
- is premature;
- has a respiratory condition or difficulty breathing, even temporarily;
- has delayed motor development.
Pregnancy and baby wearing:
If your pregnancy is without complications, you can continue to carry your oldest child without danger. You simply need to adjust your baby carrier so that it adapts to your belly as it rounds out.
Also take into account the weight of your child to avoid injury.
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