Baby carrying article~
Baby carrying, babywearing.
Baby wearing is a fashionable phrase in natural parenting circles, but it basically means baby carrying. Now why would you want to carry your baby when you can put them at arms length and more, in a fashion statement all singing all dancing convertable pram/pushchair/car seat, in the latest fabric from the catwalk? Actually, I''ll rephrase that. Why would you want to keep your baby arm's length and more in a disproportionately large contraption that needs a degree in engineering to work out how to use it, doesn't fit in the car boot, needs help from strangers to get you up and down steps, costs more than a whole birth to potty kit of cloth nappies, and leaves your baby all alone and unable to feel and smell you? Oh and don't forget all the extra outer wear your baby needs to keep warm in the winter, as they are after all, small and alone in that fancy pushchair, and unable to regulate their own body temperature. Do you start to get my drift?
OK, so I'm very pro baby carrying, and I realise that it isn't for every adult, but it certainly is for most babies! Have you ever heard of a baby that doesn't like being held? And what about the crying baby?There are those who say you shouldn't pick babies up too much, they will get spoilt. Hmmm. Well, let's just say you are upset and would like a cuddle from your partner. How would you feel if they said, no darling, you've had enough attention right now, if I give you any more you will get spoilt? Also, think of the more primitive (I prefer the term natural) cultures that still carry their babies without giving it a second thought. I've never heard that they have a major problem with clingy toddlers who won't let go of their mothers. Could it be that the growing baby is confident that they know where their mother is at all times, because when he cries, she picks him up and carries him. Therefore the toddler is more confident (not clingy as predicted by some of the modern western, independence obsessed, culture "experts") and is happy to explore further, confident in the knowledge, that should he or she need Mummy/Daddy, they will be there, and not trying to "train" them to be independent before the child is emotionally ready for that step.
It is a basic animal requirement for survival of any species that the young stay safe until grown and able to care for themselves, and our human babies are well programmed to ensure that are kept safe by the adults. Our newborn babies are very helpless when born, more than many other newborn mammals, so they need a way to ensure that they are kept safe. That way is crying. A baby doesn't always have a dirty nappy, need a feed, is cold or hot, when they cry. Sometimes they just plain want to feel safe by being with their parents. Is that really so hard for us in the western world to understand? It doesn't always mean there is anything physically wrong with a crying baby, they have emotional needs as well, and the comforting smell of Mum is the best thing in the world for a small baby. The best way to give a baby all the comfort they need is simple, carry them. It's what all the other monkeys, apes and primates do, so why should we be so very different? We are programmed to want to be held as babies.
In our modern world, we do need our hands, that is after all why we left the classic primate knuckle walk, and stood up. So the best way to carry our babies is to use some kind of device to hold them to our bodies. Now, there are baby carriers and Baby Carriers. Most that you will find on the high street do hold the baby onto your body, but not always in a fashion that is comfortable for you and/or your baby. Some even hold the baby in a kind of upright cradle, held away from your body, which seems to defeat the object of the exercise to me. By far the most natural feeling way of carrying your baby is with the baby held close to your body, skin to skin even, if baby is really fractious, preferably with baby's head held next to your chest, so they can hear your heart beat. Baby has just been listening to your heart beat for at least the last three months before birth, what more comforting sound could there be.
What about your back and baby's back? When small baby is hanging in a front carrier that has their weight held under the crotch, there is considerable strain on their lower back. We don't sell any carrier that does that in the early months. When that baby's weight is all hanging from a couple of narrow straps over your shoulders, it places considerable strain on your shoulders, upper and lower back. We don't sell any carriers that do that either. All of our carriers can be fanned out across the whole back, and/or allow baby to be held securely to your waist, both of which considerably reduce the strain on your body. The very best carriers will hold baby close to your body, in cocoon fashion, and allow baby to support their own weight on more than just their immature pelvic floor. A curved back is also best for a small baby, especially leaning forward onto the adult's chest for head/neck support.
All of our carriers allow these kind of positions. All of our carriers have been endorsed by professionals, osteopaths or physiotherapists. You can find more details in the individual detailed info descriptions on the baby carriers page. ~~~654~655~~