Babywearing is not a fresh phenomenon, although the way parents wear their children has changed over time. Parents, mostly mothers, have been using their shawls and scarves since time immemorial to bring a fussy child around as they tend to their chores to soothe it. In the modern world, this ancient practice is also rapidly gaining popularity.
What is Baby-wearing?
Babywearing includes carrying or wearing a child in a sling or a baby carrier. It’s a practical experience that helps you maintain your child as close to your daily activities as possible. It is a traditional practice that gradually enters contemporary society. Today, not only do we see moms carrying their children, but dads have also joined the bandwagon.
Types of Baby-wearing:
Although babywearing has been around for decades, today’s technology and methods offer more choices than ever before. Today’s carriers have developed into modern-day wraps, papooses, backpacks, and slings used in the past. Five basic types of carriers are available: wrap, sling, mei-tai, soft structured carrier, and frame backpacks.
1. Babywearing Wrap:
This style is a lengthy piece of fabric that wraps around you and your child tying the loose ends to make a snug and safe place of rest for kids. Wraps are generally simple to wash and comfortable, but more difficult to use and often warm to wear.
2.Babywearing Sling:
A sling is a single piece of fabric which fits on a shoulder and forms a bag in front of you or on your hip to hold your child. Slings normally settle by pulling through rings around your shoulder on the loose end of the fabric.
3. Babywearing Mei-Tai:
It’s a hybrid of a wrap and a soft-structured carrier. A mei-tai has four straps connected to the main carriage body and can be attached in multiple ways, which is similar to a soft structured carrying body.
4. Soft Structured Carrier (SSC):
An SSC is linked with the main body with padded straps and a thick waistband. They can often be modified to assist support and disperse the weight of your baby on your hips and shoulders with added integrity.
5. Baby Backpack:
A backpack carrier is used for long periods of time to carry your older baby or toddler on your back. Because this form is not appropriate for infants and younger babies.
Benefits of Baby-Wearing:
1. Promotes attachment:
A warm, safe connection is essential for ideal growth between you and your child. Physical contact with main caregivers foster bonding and babywearing is a good way to keep your kid busy. If you have difficulty bonding with your child, perhaps as a result of postpartum depression, it might be particularly helpful.
2. Comfort Your Baby:
Especially in the first months of your lives, babywearing soothes your little one because she can hear your heartbeat and feel the rhythm of your breathing and movement — sensations she understands from her moment in the womb. Research shows that increased time during the first three months of life is associated with less time to cry.
3. Allows You To Do Multi-task:
It’s good to hold your child, but you also have other stuff to do! Babywearing enables you to hold your little one for other tasks and still have two hands-frees.
4. It facilitates learning:
Because infants tend to cry less while being carried, in a “happy and alert” state they can spend that time. Babies learn when they are happy and alert as they are calm and free to receive information from their environment.
5. Stimulates The Development Of Senses.
Babywearing activates the vestibular system, our sense of equilibrium and motion. During babywearing, your baby’s vestibular system is activated continually as your body rocks and angles it in various ways.
6. Convenience:
There are times when strollers are trouble. Baby-wearing while shopping or going to the park does not mean luggage, fiddling or maneuvers.
How Safe is Babywearing?
Babywearing is totally safe and you don’t have to worry about anything. Before using it, make sure you follow the safety instructions of the manufacturer.
Tips To Safely Carry Your Baby:
Keep in mind the following tips for babywear while carrying your child:
- Make sure the airway of your baby is evident. The child should not be in a situation to remove the fabric to see his face. The chin of your baby should not rest on your chest. It ought to be tipped. His face should not be pressed against your chest, either. His ears should ideally be against your chest.
- The carrier should be such that the child remains in a situation of uprightness or the manner you hold your child. This does not apply when you’re nursing your child, of course. You can keep the child in the cradle position while nursing your child, but make sure it returns to the upright position after feeding is over.
- Wear your newborn child to the place of the tummy. The legs can be inside or out, depending on the carrier you’ve selected. If you have a carrier selected when the baby’s feet need to be inside, make sure his weight is not on his feet but on their bum.
- It’s essential to practice so you get used to it. Practice close to the ground or over a soft surface until you feel confident that you’re carrying the baby around.
- Checking the carrier for signs of damage on a continuing basis is essential.
Rewards for both the child and the parent, babywearing is one practice that is here to stay. If you’re not already wearing your child, make sure you explore the many options available and invest in a baby carrier that’s just right for you.
No comments:
Post a Comment