Why carry your baby in a sling?
Carrying your baby in a sling or carrier has many emotional and physical benefits for both the mother and baby. The closeness of the baby to your heartbeat and breathing helps the baby to release oxytocin and giving her the feelings of safety, security and love. Babies are often more settled this way as they are given the oportunity to choose when to sleep, feed, be cuddled and loved, when they want to be alert, to socialise...or to hide away from stimulation and feel protected.
For many cultures around the world, carrying your baby is the normal, everyday way of looking after your baby's needs while attending to other children and tasks with greater ease and attention.
Babies and young children learn by imitation, then participation. so by carrying your baby in a suitable sling or baby carrier you are allowing the child maximum benefits for natural development mentally, physically, emotionally and socially.
Here are some of the benefits, in a nutshell..
- Baby can protect istelf from overstimulation
- Baby builds strength without putting unneccesary pressure on the body (in the correct tuype of slings)
- Improved digestion for baby
- Baby feels secure and relaxed close to your heart beat and breathing
- Baby can observe siblings and adult relationships and activity form a safe and well appointed postion (see continuum concept)
- Mother strengthens her back and core muscles, increasing the load as the baby grows bigger
- Increased oxytocin (also known as the Love hormone) for mother and baby. This hormone has many effects including igniting your motherly instincts, deepening bonding, enhancing the parent's feelings of competence, increased tolerance and patience and putting the baby's needs first. For the baby, feelings of love, wellness and ability to be open to connect and learn - optimising brain development.
- Easier and descreet breastfeeding
- Improved intuitive understanding of each others needs and reading baby's cues
Learn more and connect with other mothers through Sling and Attachment Parenting support groups and playgroups.
Other information sources:
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
Choosing a baby carrier by Baby Carriers Downunder
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 safetyand designs to avoid, choosing a carrier and baby wearing support. Itcan 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 byreducing the duration and altering the typical pattern of crying andfussing in the first 3 months of life. The relative lack of carryingin our society may predispose to crying and colic in normal infants"(Source).
Baby Slings - Why, How & Where?
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)
Find excellent Australian Sling and carrier suppiers
Learn more and connect with other mothers through Sling and Attachment Parenting support groups and playgroups.
Which slings are safefor mother & child?
"There has beenspeculation into whether commercially available papoose / front packonly carriers, put undue pressure on the baby's spine, as legs arehanging straight down from the crotch. This position is similar tothe harness worn by arborists (treesurgeon), and is cited as the reason for withdrawal of insurance at35, 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.Cthinks so.
"A baby's spine is placed in a compromisingposition in many of today's popular carriers. If the carrierpositions the infant upright, with the legs hanging down and thebodyweight supported at the base of the baby's spine (i.e. at thecrotch), it puts undue stress on the spine which can adversely affectthe development of the spinal curves and, in some cases, causespondylolisthesis (forward slipping of a vertebra on the one belowit).
Spondylolisthesis is documented in approximately 5% of whitemales, but is prevalent in native Eskimos (as high as 60% of thepopulation is affected). There has been much discussion on the highpercentage of affected Eskimos as to whether it is a geneticpredisposition or related to environmental factors (i.e., papoosecarriers). Knowing how dynamic and vital the biomechanics of thespine are, I believe that environmental factors are the cause. If thetrend continues in the U.S. to carry infants in carriers (or placethem in walkers, jumpers, etc.) that place their spines in a weightbearing position before the spine is developmentally ready to do so,I believe we will see an increase in the incidence ofspondylolisthesis" (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 havea variety of carriers on hand for various stages of baby development,weight gain and mutual comfort for carrying. It also lists questionsto ask when choosing a carrier.
Potential Dangers of Bag Slings by Baby Carriers - Correct Positioning & Safety
Online Forums
Australian
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
This is an excellent site with:
- Links to research about babywearing
- A glossary of different babywearing terms
- Articles and comparative charts to help you determine what type of baby carrier is right for you
- A ‘reviews database' containing consumer reviews and descriptions of babywearing products and vendors
- Online forums where you can ask questions, get opinions and feedback from members