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Puku Pouch Articles
Babywearing (0-3years)
Babywearing is a natural traditional art that flows so perfectly from a natural birth. On the other hand Babywearing can help alleviate many issues associated with difficult and not so natural births. Its a beautiful, practical, natural gift for your child, friends and family.
Why wear your baby
You've birthed your little ball of bliss and they are spending quite a lot of time snuggled up close to your body, or another body. In fact you find your baby is upset whenever not on a body. Baby wanting to be close is a very natural biological survival instinct, babies need a carer to survive. The snuggleness of a newborn so close is bliss, but....... your arms are sore, and how is anything going to get done around the house? Or to be honest how are you even going to get to go to the toilet?!!
You could give the baby to someone else, but pretty soon you are going to be home alone. You could leave the baby alone to cry it out, but that just doesn't feel right (and research proves this is harmful for baby), so what do you do?
Enter Babywearing, the best way to bond, aid development of baby, and allow things to get done! Attaching your baby to your body in a carrier is nothing new. Indigenous cultures all around the world wear their babies, in my studies of indigenous cultures I have yet to see one that doesn't. This timeless practice is also valuable in mothering in western society today. Whilst wearing your baby you can eat, sleep, do household chores, go on walks, do the shopping, dance, go to social events, exercise – in fact pretty much anything but make love!
Babywearing doesn't stop with babies, you can enjoy many benefits right up to the age of 3 years...................
Babywearing benefits, experiences and research
Babies (and toddlers) sleep well in the carrier, a little jiggling or walking and they are off to noddy land! Carriers are an excellent at bridging the transition from womb to world. Baby wearing helps soothe and even cure colic and reflux. This was put to the test When I was on a camping trip. A baby who had nasty reflux, and was on some equally nasty medication, was put into a baby carrier for the first time. Amazingly after a day of on and off wearing (only about 3 hours overall), no reflux. My husband bumped into them some months later, the baby was in the babycarrier, and no reflux! Over my babywearing career I have heard many stories of happy sleeping babies with relief from colic and reflux and other digestive upsets.
Wearing your child is great for those days when they have upsets for whatever reason – teething, colds etc, even when they are older, (a good carrier is usually suitable for children up to 23 years old). The child gets the reassurance it needs from you and you can still function! This is especially great when you have other children.
Out and about walks are made easy, no buggy access required. You can breastfeed discretely whilst carrying. On hot days you can wear very little, or nothing between your child and you and still be comfortable. On cold days you and your child can snuggle into one another, very coy! Depending on the carrier,the child can face in or out, or go on your back or side. Shopping is made easier, no issues of stairs and buggies - or all that buggy bulk. Your child is not removed form you, they are right there with you in the action of the outing.
Wearing you child allows them to feel happy and safe. “Daily interactions between baby and its main caregiver have a direct effect on the way the brain develops “– (Gerhardt) when a baby is upset the brain produces cortisol. A little is fine, however too much can lead to depression and aggression later in life. The levels of cortisol are pretty much set by six months, making Babywearing an important part of the wellbeing of a child. Cortisol effects blood pressure, infertility, and the incidence of diabetes, amongst other things. Cortisol is produced by the adrenal glands in the kidney, and used by the brain. Furthermore “the part of the brain that enables us to manage emotions and to relate sensitively to other people, to experience pleasure and to appreciate beauty” (Gerhardt) is stimulated by being physically close to a loving caregiver. Which is food for thought if you plan to let your baby cry it out for long periods.
The wellbeing of the circulatory system of the body which carries blood and other fluids is stimulated and regulated by being close to an adult circulatory system when a child is worn. This is very beneficial to overall development of your child.(Hygeia Halfmoon)
Muscle development also benefits from wearing your child. My son could easily sit on his own at 4 months, as can other babies I have seen who are also worn. This is because the child moves and adjusts their weight constantly as they move with you. This was particularly helpful for a friend with a very premature baby who had slow muscle development. In fact children who are carried don't need to endure the 'tummy time' you will hear people talk about. Babies carried certainly get more of a workout, through adjusting to the movements of the person carrying them, than babies who sit in car seats and buggies. There is also no worry of flat heads for worn babies verses their buggied, capsuled counterparts.
For premature babies carrying has amazing results too numerable to mention here. Look for Kangaroo care research.
Lastly, but very importantly Babywearing is a very yummy way to interact with your wee sweetheart! Grannies, Granddads, and other family members enjoy the bonding of having a baby so close too!
How to wear your child
Now your convinced Babywearing is a good idea, how do you go about getting started? The new wave of carriers have move on a long way from the well known western front or framed packs. These carriers are based on traditional carriers with the benefits of modern fabrics and design. The comfort and child positioning is greatly improved, and the funky prints and designs mean you can be super stylish as well! There is a huge range of carriers available, and of course not everyone suits everybody. There truly is something for everyone no matter you size or physical needs. Here are some common points to consider that can be helpful, especially to first time Babywearers. Practicality and comfort are the two most important factors when selecting a carrier.
Comfort
Two shoulder carriers respect your body far more than one shoulder options. Osteopaths recommend maximum of one hour babywearing at a time, for any age of child, with a one shoulder option. Two shouldered options can we worn for hours and hours on end.
A good carrier should have a comfy hip tie/strap that is spread evenly over the hips (not lower back) to ensure weight is not solely placed on the shoulders. 85% of our carrying capacity is in our hip area.
Beware of the traditional western front pack, framed pack, or any other carrier where the child is suspended from the groin, this can cause spine compression. Good carriers support the baby all over their body, not just in one place. Ideally the bum should be below the knees.
It should be possible to provide the child's head with support, for when they are unable to hold their head themselves, and for floppy sleeping heads in older children.
Consider the fabric, is it natural so your body and child can breathe?
Carriers that allow the child to be carried directly onto the body ensure the benefits of Babywearing are fully met, unlike carriers with frames etc. These soft carriers are also more comfortable for you, even with a 2 year old.
Practicality
It is possible to get a carrier that is suitable for 0 – 3 years, thus avoiding the need to have several carriers.
Good instructions on correct use are a must. Even carriers that look tricky are simple with good instructions. DVD's are great.
Storage, can it fold down to go in a bag? Does it fold to become its own bag? Can you wear it as a bumbag or similar when not in use?
Can you machine wash the carrier?
Cost, if you can find local made products you may be able to half the cost.
To purchase a carrier check out my list of contacts and information at the bottom of this article, or contact me directly. Trademe and similar sites maybe useful, as can some babysuppliers and various websites. Be careful in buying secondhand products, although this can be a good option (especially for more rigid carriers) ensure they are in good condition. If this is your first child it is best to buy new and use with subsequent children.
I am passionate about Babywearing, please don't hesitate to contact me with any enquires,
HAPPY BABYWEARING!!!!!!
Natasha Gall
Puku Pouch Babywearing
(03) 3294655
20 Hunters Road
Church Bay
RD1 Lyttelton
8971
References
The Attachment Parenting Book: a commonsense guide to understanding and nurturing your baby, William and Martha Sears.
Primal Mothering - In a modern world, Hygeia Halfmoon, ISBN 0965353346
Why Love Matters – How Affection Shapes a Baby's Brain, Sue Gerhardt
Baby Wearing: The benefits and beauty of this ancient tradition, Maria Blois MD, ISBN 0972958339
Other helpful information:
Websites
www.slingbabies.co.nz
www.thebabywearer.co
www.instinctiveparenting.com
Books
Babywearing - the benefits and beauty of this ancient tradition.
Maria Blois MD
ISBN 0972958339
Bagslings
Recently there has been some negative Babywearing Press which needs some clarifying. The bad Press related to several deaths in Bag Slings. A Bag sling is a one shoulder sling that is a bag you put your baby in and then put on. They have elasicated sides and look a bit like a handbag. The baby lies down low, at or below belly button height. The trouble is that the baby is scrunched up chin to chest thus restricting airways. Actually a child should never lie down in any carrier for this reason (even newborns and premies). The fabric of a bag sling can also block airways - not possible on other carriers. The distance of the baby to their caregiver also means that breathing problems are harder to identify than in other carriers. (A good carrier has the child close enough to kiss - except on the back!)
It is important not to get bagslings confused with the traditional one shoulder sling. This goes by many names such as: a ring sling, and pouch sling. Some have clips at the shoulder, some rings, traditionally they had a knot. These slings are safe. Obviously positioning is important. The child must always be upright, not lying down as this can block airways and upset the spine and digestive systems. Its pretty impossible to achieve this in a bagsling. Bagslings are meant for the child to lie down, instructions even recommend this. There is a harness in the inside for the lying down position.
The difference is that in traditional one shoulder slings the fabric is tight - no elastic and gaping fabric to choke baby. These carriers also have the child in full view close enough to kiss - not down by your bellybutton like a bagsling. This means you can monitor you child well.
Wrap carriers, Mei Tai, and other traditional carriers are also safe. Babywearing is an important part of babies development. That's why every culture in the world has a tradition of babywearing (let me know if you find one that doesn't - I've looked to no avail!) Traditional carriers have been used for thousands of years to help baby, and allow caregivers to get on with life. Today Babywearing is more necessary than ever - most of us don't have an extended family to hold baby regularly in our day. Think of Babywearing as the fourth trimester!
Bagslings are extremely unsafe! Myself and other babywearing advocates such as www.thebabywearer.com and www.slingbabies.co.nz, have never advocated the use of these carriers. To read more and see pictures visit their sites.
Here's a challenge...................
There are often Bagslings selling on Trademe, most people are unaware of the safety risks they pose. A brief nicely put message in the vendors question and answer section making them aware that Bagslings are dangerous can stop the sale of bagslings. Make the vendor aware of online information on not for profit site www.slingbabies.co.nz and www.thebabywearer.com Resist the urge to get feisty! And do your homework by reading up on bagslings first. You could save a life!
I am passionate about Babywearing, please don't hesitate to contact me with any enquires.
HAPPY BABYWEARING!!!!!!
For queries contact Natasha Gall: Tel
- (64) 3 329 4655
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