Using slings, wraps, or carriers might seem like one of those new 'crunchy mom' fads, but, as it turns out, babywearing is a practice that has been around pretty much since the dawn of the human era.
This ancient tradition was unquestioned for millennia, but then the world began to change, especially in the West. Strollers became the preferred way to walk around with infants and toddlers, while the rise of the automobile made car seats more popular than a baby carrier. And just like that, babywearing looked destined to be dropped in the cultural dumpster.
Thankfully, the trend has been reversing. A primary reason for this is that the science on babywearing is finally catching up with the ancient cultural wisdom.
As you can see, it turns out that numerous scientific studies explore the benefits of wearing babies. Some of the science comes from closely related fields of child development and human biology, but there are also a growing number of studies which explore the direct link between infant-wearing and its positive results. In fact, it's becoming something of a hot research topic.
So keep your eyes peeled as it's predicted that babywearing will more and more become part of mainstream health and social care. The movement away from strollers and toward carriers has begun, and it will be interesting to see how far it goes.
Whatever the exact future of baby-carrying, one thing is clear, it's here to stay. I'd say that this is good news for moms and babies worldwide. Happy babywearing!
As moms, we all know that time flies – one day your baby is a teeny newborn, and in the blink of an eye, they're off to school. While we would all love to spend all our days lazily snuggled on the couch with our babes, the reality is that there are things that need to be done to keep our households somewhat functional.
The list of stuff that I've attempted to do one handed/while carrying a baby is rather comical:
Cooking dinner
Folding laundry
Grocery shopping
Applying sunscreen to a squirming toddler
I bet you can relate. Any multi-tasking, busy mom knows this struggle. The answer to your struggles is babywearing, and in honor of International Babywearing Week, let's celebrate by trying it out! Trust me; you'll love it once you've tried it and you'll be convinced to give it a try after seeing this infographic from Mom Loves Best.
If you're thinking about giving babywearing a try, here are some things to know about how to do it safely, and why babywearing is such a lifesaver.
Choosing a Carrier
Before you start babywearing, make sure you've chosen the right kind of baby carrier. There is a wide range of varieties and styles available, ranging from fabric slings and wraps to structured carriers with buckles and straps. Look for fabrics that are appropriate for your local climate so that he/she does not overheat in the carrier, and always ensure that there is no fabric obstructing baby's airways.
Helpful Tips
Some moms find that the earlier you start babywearing, the more comfortable baby will be in the carrier. I had this experience with my youngest child and waited until he was about 10 months old to try a baby carrier in preparation for a vacation. By that age, he was already crawling, nearly walking, and his resistance to being confined took precedence over snuggles with mom. However, with my other kid I started earlier and found that he got used to being in the carrier and liked the closeness more.
If you've waited, don't fear, you just might need to try different carriers, different positions, or just more exposure to the carrier.
Before each time you try the carrier, ensure that your child is not feeling fussy or otherwise uncomfortable by making sure that they are:
Well rested: shortly after a nap can be a good time, but avoid trying this right before a nap or bedtime.
Well fed: make sure that baby's tummy is full, and he/she is content. Keep in mind; you want baby to be satiated not too full, because you don't want to be on the receiving end of their tummy getting squashed.
Wrapping it Up (Pun Intended)
I hope you'll decide to try babywearing, in celebration of International Babywearing Week 2017. The benefits are so great your baby, your family as a whole, and for you. Or if you are already a babywearer, tell us below what your favorite carry is.
About the Author
Jenny Silverstone is the mother of two, a breastfeeding & babywearing advocate, and a mommy blogger. You can find her sharing her journey through motherhood on her blog - MomLovesBest.com.
So, the first quarter of 2017 ends. That's four months gone from 2017. Hmm, what have I done in the past four months?
In 2013, I became a mother. The transition from having no kid to one kid was challenging, I kid you not. But to be honest, the transition from having one kid to two kids was (actually, still is) a nightmare. Amidst challenges during the past four months, I found peace with three major activities as seen in the photo above. Can you guess?
Here they are:
Breastfeeding, Babywearing, Cloth Diapering
That pretty little bottle is Buds Cherished Organics Breast Massage Oil that helps breastfeeding mothers stay calm and relaxed and promotes lactation, making breastfeeding easier. A few days ago I had a blocked duct but it was cleared within a day after I massaged the blocked area with this oil plus baby's marathon nursing sessions.
I'm also into babywearing; that's Daiesu Kelarai Ringsling. And I'm into cloth diapering. Oh there's so much to tell but I guess I will just let the photos speak for themselves.
Check out my second Instagram account which focuses on babywearing and cloth diapering - @myfluffjournal
Okay, that's all for now.
By the way, my blog is not dead. I'm still finding time to update it more frequently. Lol. But you can follow my FB page for more bite-sized updates daily.
*Embrace your baby the natural way with SUKKIRi Mesh Ring Sling* SUKKIRi Mesh Ring Sling comes with durable aluminium rings that are tested for safety in Japan. This sling is safe, comfortable, easy to use, and easy to store too because it can be folded neatly into the shape of a pouch. Its cooling material makesthis mesh ring sling great to use when the heather is hot.
On a side note, if you're not familiar with the benefits of babywearing and the importance of ergonomic baby carriers , do read up my blog post about 4 points to consider when you decide to babywear.
SUKKIRi Mesh Ring Sling can be used for newborn babies (about 3.5 kg) up to toddlers of 36 months old (15kg).
Note: Don't miss the discount code at the end of this blog post. ;)
A Japanese innovation
The SUKKIRi Mesh Ring Sling is a product by Lucky Industry Co. Ltd which was founded in 1934 and is the oldest and most trusted baby carrier manufacturer in Japan. Pioneering the baby carrier industry, they are continuously improving and coming out with good quality and parent-approved baby carriers that are recognized worldwide.
Unison CA is the exclusive distributor in Malaysia and Brunei of the Lucky Industry Co Ltd. They bring in SUPPORi, PITTARi, SUKKIRi, Raku Raku, Yoomi, and many others.
Unboxing my Black PITTARi Wrap
SUKKIRi features
Aluminum ring with the durability of 150kg
Aluminum rings that lock and grip well
Soft touch, breathable mesh fabric - suitable for hot tropical climate
The "tail" material can be used for discreet breastfeeding
Convenient pockets to keep small articles
Compact & lightweight
One size fits all
Can use from newborn
Multiple carrying positions allowed
The SUKKIRi Ring Sling is acknowledged as a "hip-healthy" product by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
How to use SUKKIRi Mesh Ring Sling?
Watch this product video below:
My Experience with SUKKIRi Mesh Ring Sling
I start to use this wrap when my newborn turns four weeks old. I love how breathable the material is when I wrap my newborn, especially on hot days.
Take a look at the breathable mesh material. It's comfortable at the shoulder too.
My baby loves to cuddle up in the ring sling. Look how comfy he is!
You see the knot at where the rings are supposed to be? To provide extra grip, I wrap the ring sling tail around the rings. At the same time, it also acts like a little pillow for my baby to put his head when he's napping in the ring sling.
Front view.
Another view.
Going for a walk with baby napping comfortably in this trusty ring sling.
Trust me, babywearing is so easy with this ring sling!
Look at that little bum!
Let's reiterate the benefits of babywearing.
#1: Carried babies cry less because they are happy!
#2: Babies who are carried often are healthier because by being attached to his mother, he's in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes—walking, bending, and reaching.
What is PITTARi Wrap? *An innovative PITTARi Wrap to make everyone possible to use wrap more easily* PITTARi Wrap is an innovative baby wrap with waist belt. It is a compact baby wrap that comes with an attached waist belt and storage pouch. This wrap falls under the category of stretchy wrap. The Power Mesh material of this wrap is very stretchable, breathable, and cooling; so it's perfect for our weather.
On a side note, if you're not familiar with the benefits of babywearing and the importance of ergonomic baby carriers , do read up my blog post about 4 points to consider when you decide to babywear.
PITTARi Wrap is an ergonomic stretchy wrap and can be used for newborn babies (about 3.5 kg) up to toddlers of 36 months old (15kg).
Note: Don't miss the discount code at the end of this blog post. ;)
A Japanese innovation
The PITTARi Wrap is a product by Lucky Industry Co. Ltd which was founded in 1934 and is the oldest and most trusted baby carrier manufacturer in Japan. Pioneering the baby carrier industry, they are continuously improving and coming out with good quality and parent-approved baby carriers that are recognized worldwide.
Unison CA is the exclusive distributor in Malaysia and Brunei of the Lucky Industry Co Ltd. They bring in SUPPORi, PITTARi, SUKKIRi, Raku Raku, Yoomi, and many others.
Unboxing my Turquoise Blue PITTARi Wrap
What is so unique about PITTARi Wrap?
#1 - Compact and easy to keep & carry around
The PITTARi Wrap comes with a waist belt and storage pouch. Unlike conventional woven wraps and stretchy wraps, PITTARi has less fabric due to its innovative waist belt, thus making it shorter and easier to wrap your baby. After unwrapping your baby, the fabric can be rolled up and stored in the attached storage pouch at the waist belt, making it compact, neat, and easier to keep and carry around.
The PITTARi Wrap is made with Power Mesh material, so it's very stretchable for secure and safe bonding with your baby. This material is also thin, light, and breathable with a cooling sensation, thus it's suitable for our weather.
#3 - "Hip-healthy"
The PITTARi Wrap is acknowledged as a "hip-healthy" product by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.
How to use PITTARi Wrap?
Watch this product video below:
My Experience with PITTARi Wrap
I start to use this wrap when my newborn turns four weeks old. I love how soft and cooling the material is when I wrap my newborn.
You can see how he sleeps comfortably in fetal position in the wrap, perhaps being reminded of the womb. This is benefit #1 of babywearing, i.e. carried babies cry less because they are happy! Benefit #2 is that babies who are carried often are healthier because by being attached to his mother, he's in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes—walking, bending, and reaching.
To go hands-free while attending to two kids and other matters at home, putting the baby in the wrap is the best solution. And this is benefit #3 of babywearing, i.e. comfort and convenience!
Here's a bum shot (babywearing lingo) with legs in (optimal position for newborns).
And here's another bum shot, this time with legs out (optimal position for babies more than three months old).
This is how the back looks like.
I can join buffet lunch crowd, hassle-free and without worries!
And I can also have breakfast and my cuppa teh tarik with baby comfortably sleeping in the wrap. Sleepy dust (babwearing lingo) is in abundance with this deliciously comfy wrap!
I'm pretty excited with my new toy, my dream soft-structured carried (SSC) - the awesome Manduca! Mine is a Manduca Blue / NewStyle Navy.
A little back story: I took a break from babywearing for nearly a year, partly because I bought two WRONG carriers. One was a counterfeit ERGO SSC and another was an i-Angel hipseat carrier. I stopped using the counterfeit ERGO (known as FERGO) after I read about possible mishaps such as dangerous sudden clasps breakage. I stopped using the hipseat because it's a non-ergonomic carrier, i.e. it's not conducive for baby's hip and spine development.
Here are four points to consider when you decide to babywear:
#1: Know the benefits of babywearing
Read this awesome post and get yourself convinced first. Newborns NEED to be held; there's no such thing as spoiling the baby by holding them too much. You CANNOT spoil a baby with nurturing, but you can with neglect. Absolutely no argument with me on this point because I don't support cry-it-out at all.
Even toddlers need to be held. Don't deprive them from your affection with the reason you want them to learn to become independent.Independence in future comes from adequate nurturing, affection, and attention you give them when they are still young.
In short, ergonomic means the carrier should provide proper support and doesn't put strain on your baby's developing hips and spine. Proper support means natural seating position (M-shape) - the recommended position for healthy hip development. Non-ergonomic carriers that doesn't provide proper support include hipseat, crotch carrier, and carriers that promote front-facing. More info below.
Please read this explanation about how improper support in carriers leads to hip issues. This is especially true if you're using a crotch carrier and narrow-based carrier. Explanatory diagram below.
Note: Believe me, you don't want to waste money buying the wrong carrier. Educate yourself well. Also, please avoid buying counterfeit (fake) carriers and baby sling/bag. To put in simple term: they are dangerous.
#3: Know the baby carrier categories suitable for your baby's age and size
The two images below show the six main recommended categories: woven wrap (WW), stretchy wrap (SW), ring sling (RS), pouch (P), soft-structured carrier (SSC), and Mei Tai (MT).
I prefer to use the soft-structured carrier (SSC) because it's easy to use. SSCs are soft-bodied carriers that have buckle waist and shoulder straps (resembling a backpack). I can carry my toddler with him facing me, or with him behind my back.
I hate maneuvering the stroller at escalators in shopping malls. With an SSC, I just need to strap it around my waist, put my toddler in it,
buckle him up, and off we go! Fuss-free, stress-free, guilt-free, bulk-free!
Hahaha!
Read the following Babywearing Safety Checklist by Liza Snuggbaby.
Baby's breathing well
Always make sure that baby's airway is not obstructed.
Baby should get good airflow especially when you babywear at stuffy and crowded places.
Don't always ASSUME quiet/sleeping baby a content baby. Make sure of it.
Nursing while babywearing is a very handy skill but always make sure your boob is not covering baby's nose.
Face baby towards the side (preferably facing slightly upwards) when they fall asleep and make sure their face is not pressed against your body.
Naturally curled vs. too much curled (especially with newborns)
It's okay for them to curl a little because even when you carry them with bare hands, their spine is naturally slightly curved BUT babies shouldn't be curled further caused by bad positioning in the carrier.
You know it's wrong if baby's chin is pressed against the chest.
When you look in the mirror (with slings), baby's body should be making more of v-shape rather than c-shape or u-shape in cradle position.
With tummy to tummy, baby's back should be supported by fabric or mei tai straps to avoid baby from slumping into carrier.
Use support by folding a nappy or small towel placed at baby's back if it's necessary to achieve good positioning.
Not too hot or not too cold
Slings and carriers are an additional layer around your baby so dress lightly in hot weather.
Avoid constrictive clothing like tight denim as this may add pressure points onto your baby.
Put on sunblock if you plan to go outdoors in daylight.
In cold weather, babywearing gear only even though thick is not enough to protect baby against cold. Put on layers and cover the head.
The first time
Have someone to help you.
Try your carrier near soft landing like sofa or bed.
Wear your baby as low as possible and stand up when you're confident that you're wearing correctly.
Both you and baby should be calm.
Stop and rest if baby struggles too much and try again when baby is calm.
To babywear or not to babywear
If you need to put on some form of safety gear, chances are you're not suppose to wear your baby, e.g. rollerskating, operating heavy machinery, biking.
Don't wear your baby in the car. Car seat is the safest place for baby.
If you happen to fall into water, baby will be safer if not strapped on your body.
Activities that involves a lot of bouncing and shaking shouldn't be done with your baby strapped on your body, e.g. running, aerobics, jumping.
To travel by plane is an exception.
Beware of graspy baby
Baby is at the same level as you, what you can reach most likely they can too.
Be aware of your surroundings.
Cooking should be done very carefully especially when dealing with sharp knives and hot surfaces.
Be careful when dealing with laundry detergent or misc. cleaning liquid; make sure baby don't accidentally touch or ingest them.
Remember that they can reach things with their feet too.
Inspect your carrier for wear and tear
Make it a habit to inspect your carrier for any signs of wear and tear.
All support seams should be intact.
Buckles and rings shouldn't have cracks.
Fabric shouldn't have signs of ripping.
Check, reposition and adjust
Eventually while babywearing carriers may come loose, baby's position can be shifted.
Stop and check positioning in the mirror.
Make sure baby's leg doesn't turn blue.
Tighten or retie your knots and readjust if necessary.
Bouncing a bit or repositioning from time to time may help baby's circulation.
Listen to your body
You are carrying extra weight but with good weight distribution that comes with babywearing, sometime you don't feel this extra weight.
Ideally you should take a break from time to time.
Don't try to exert yourself and risk injuring your muscles.
If you can, switch shoulders now and again with single shouldered carrier.
Share the weight between you and your partner if you're babywearing for long period of time.
Do!
Enjoy all the incredible benefit that comes with wearing your baby safely!
Now, what are the recommended brands? Here are some brands that are recommended on Malaysian Babywearers FB group (listed in alphabetical order): Note: Some are big brands in the market, some are manufactured by small companies or work-at-home moms and may only be available for purchase online or in specialty stores. International
Note: Babybjorn and Stokke carriers are not recommended because they are mainly narrow-based carriers that don't promote good M-shape positioning. i-Angel that sells hipseat carriers are not recommended as well.
