Carrying your baby

Why sling your baby?

Wrapped in the hormone of love: choosing to carry your baby is about much more than transport by Jenny Carleton, Natural Parenting in Sydney, in Birthings, 2008

Baby wearing - the why, where & how a HANDOUT by Jenny Carleton, Natural Parenting in Sydney

This handout looks at the advantages of baby wearing, carrier safety and designs to avoid, choosing a carrier and baby wearing support. It can be used by people giving talks/demonstrations on baby wearing.

Hold your Baby Close to your Heart - the Many Advantages of Babywearing by Anita Lincolne-Lomax

Ten reasons to Wear Your Baby by Laura Simeon

Increased Carrying Reduces Infant Crying: A Randomized Controlled Trial by Hunziker & Barr

This study concluded that that "supplemental carrying modifies "normal" crying by reducing the duration and altering the typical pattern of crying and fussing in the first 3 months of life. The relative lack of carrying in our society may predispose to crying and colic in normal infants"(Source).

Baby Slings - Why, How & Where?

The Art of Babywearing by Suzy Barry

Choosing your carrier by Carrying Away (an Australian website)

How to' Videos and Photos on how to wear you child

This excellent information is sorted by:

child's age (newborn, toddler, preschooler, two at a time),

type of carrier

position (front, back, hip)

See the Natural Parenting Directory (on the left hand side of this website) for a list of Australian sling suppliers, sling hire and baby wearing support groups.

Which slings are safe for mother & child?

"There has been speculation into whether commercially available papoose / front pack only carriers, put undue pressure on the baby's spine, as legs are hanging straight down from the crotch. This position is similar to the harness worn by arborists (tree surgeon), and is cited as the reason for withdrawal of insurance at 35, due to pressure on the spine and related structural problems - bearing in mind that grown arborists have fully formed spinal tissue, could this be cause for concern for babies? Rochelle L. Casses, D.C thinks so.

"A baby's spine is placed in a compromising position in many of today's popular carriers. If the carrier positions the infant upright, with the legs hanging down and the bodyweight supported at the base of the baby's spine (i.e. at the crotch), it puts undue stress on the spine which can adversely affect the development of the spinal curves and, in some cases, cause spondylolisthesis (forward slipping of a vertebra on the one below it).
Spondylolisthesis is documented in approximately 5% of white males, but is prevalent in native Eskimos (as high as 60% of the population is affected). There has been much discussion on the high percentage of affected Eskimos as to whether it is a genetic predisposition or related to environmental factors (i.e., papoose carriers). Knowing how dynamic and vital the biomechanics of the spine are, I believe that environmental factors are the cause. If the trend continues in the U.S. to carry infants in carriers (or place them in walkers, jumpers, etc.) that place their spines in a weight bearing position before the spine is developmentally ready to do so, I believe we will see an increase in the incidence of spondylolisthesis" (Source).

‘Infant Carriers and Spinal Stress' by Rochelle L. Casses, D.C. (Chiropractor)

Baby Wearing: Suggestions for Carrying your Baby by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association

This article advises that parents have a variety of carriers on hand for various stages of baby development, weight gain and mutual comfort for carrying. It also lists questions to ask when choosing a carrier.

Potential Dangers of Bag Slings by Baby Carriers - Correct Positioning & Safety

Online Forums

Australian

Baby Carriers Downunder

This group is for Babywearers (and potential ones) in Australia & New Zealand (others are welcome too!) to:

talk about carriers,

try out carriers from others before you buy,

meet other babywearers locally,

to purchase some of the best baby carriers (ring slings, wraps, Mei Tais, etc.) available overseas and locally at a group discount.

International

The Baby Wearer

This is an excellent site with: