A few years ago they were not used, but nowadays seeing baby carriers on the street is very common, while other people prefer shoulder bags or carrying scarves, their “first cousins”.
They are a good alternative to the baby stroller, they bring back the habit of carrying children close to your body - not only on the street, but also at home - and they allow you to transport your baby with you while you do other tasks or walk with him.
From the website attachment.es they explain that within attachment parenting , carrying means carrying your child, with the help of a system such as the baby carrier that allows the weight to be distributed in a balanced way, freeing the parent's arms and enabling a permanent contact between the adult and the baby.
Its origin stems from an ancestral practice: most mammals carry their young from birth . You can look, for example, at a kitten and her kittens. It is worth differentiating between ergonomic carrying and that which is not: the first is that which respects the child's natural posture, adapts to the curve of their spine and facilitates their correct psychomotor development.
It also prevents muscle overload in adults caused by poor weight distribution. Some of these backpacks are evolutionary: they offer good head support, adjust to growth and allow the baby to be at the correct height.
Ergonomic carrying with a baby carrier has many benefits that we detail below, from strengthening the emotional bond to supporting the baby's neurological, respiratory or gastrointestinal development.
17 benefits of baby carriers
Baby carriers have multiple benefits for your child's physical and mental health. We summarize them below:
-
It makes the baby's transition from uterine life to outside life easier, since it is still neurologically immature. In fact, there is already talk of exterogestation or “nine months out, nine months in.”
-
Strengthens the emotional bond and reinforces the attachment between the father or mother and the baby. Among other things, because it increases the secretion of oxytocin , the love hormone.
-
It promotes a comfortable position for breastfeeding and stimulates the production of breast milk.
-
Reduces infant colic and reflux problems and regurgitation.
-
It allows you to pay attention to any possible sign of discomfort in the child.
-
It calms the baby , regulating stress and calming anxiety by providing a comfortable position and security, warmth and contact.
-
It helps the child thermoregulate body temperature, breathing and heart rate.
-
The baby can hear your heartbeat.
-
Contributes to the development of hips, neck, spine and back , promoting natural movement and preventing dysplasia.
-
It adapts to your growth.
-
It facilitates constant displays of affection.
-
Its sedative effect allows your child to sleep more easily and for longer.
-
Enhances the development of the vestibular system and muscle tone.
-
Fight postpartum depression.
-
The baby can smell you and develop his sense of smell: the olfactory and gustatory senses are the first to work and are activated during the first minutes of birth.
-
It's easier to move through crowds, avoids the hassle of a stroller on public transportation, and saves space in the car.
-
They allow you to care for older siblings or carry out daily tasks while carrying the child, promoting attachment parenting.
How to choose a baby carrier
-
Go for the evolutionary backpack : it stands out for an adjustable panel in both height and width, adapted from the beginning. It usually offers the option of holding the panel from the belt or from the middle of the panel.
-
It must be approved by the European Union and have a headrest . Your seat should allow the baby's legs to be in the M position, the best for the hips, as well as the natural curvature of the back.
-
Ideally, it should adapt to high weight limits , so that it lasts throughout childhood.
-
Select the fabric or material of your baby carrier according to the climate : breathable mesh and light fabric are optimal for summer or a warm climate, with more padded and thicker fabrics being more recommended for winter. It is important to review the washing instructions.
From a point of view of the baby's safety and posture, there is no need to wait until 6 months, since there are carrying backpacks on the market designed to be used from birth , as long as the baby has a minimum weight. 3.5 kilos.
When the baby is small, the best position is facing the parents, with the headrest covering the neck area. Between three and six months the baby can be placed facing forward - as long as the backpack is designed for that purpose - as he begins to develop muscle strength and distance vision.
You can also combine the sling with the ergonomic baby carrier: the first is especially suitable for the first weeks of life and for premature babies, while the second is a structured baby carrier, more rigid, with shoulder straps and straps and easier to wear.
0 comments