Carrying little ones in baby carriers? Learn what to take into consideration before making the purchase and how to keep them safe. Keeping your baby close to you in a wrap or similar carrier promotes bonding and boosts your oxytocin levels.
One of the essential baby items to get, this helps you bring your newborn around easily and safely, especially on public transport. Learn about some of the benefits of the carriers, what to consider when purchasing, and how to safely carry your baby.
Benefits of Baby Carrier
Bringing your baby out in a baby carrier eliminates the need for a stroller, best for navigating public transit or when hiking out in nature.
Baby carriers offer parents a lot of benefits, such as keeping your hands and arms free from holding the baby. Hence, you can still do many other things while your baby is nestled close to you. Additionally, the physical contact boosts your oxytocin levels, promoting bonding and improving postpartum depression and anxiety.
Moreover, it makes it easier for you to travel around with your baby via public transit as you don’t have to lug an additional stroller. A randomised controlled trial by the American Academy of Paediatrics found that infants who were carried cried and fussed less. Overall, those who were carried cried 43 per cent less, and 51 per cent less during 4pm to midnight.
Types of Baby Carriers
Research into the various types of carriers that may suit your lifestyle. For instance, this mom is carrying her baby in a soft structured carrier with padded straps and waistbands.
The three main categories that the carriers fall into are wraps, soft structured carriers and ring slings. First, the wrap is a long rectangular piece that you can wrap around yourself to create a snug carrier. Great for your newborn, the swaddle-like design reminds them of the womb. While compact and lightweight to bring around, it may take several tries to tie these into a carrier. Hence, you may need to watch YouTube tutorials over and over. Most are one-size-fits-all and will easily adjust to different bodies.
Another option is a soft structured carrier, which can be suitable for both newborns and older babies. These usually come with padded straps and waistbands, which help support you, especially as your baby gets older and heavier. These also allow you to put your baby in a forward-facing option, and you can hold your little one well into toddlerhood for some carriers. Choose one where your baby is high enough for you to kiss his/her head. Additionally, the carrier should have a wide or adjustable seat to distribute your baby’s weight and support their hips.
Finally, a ring sling is made of a single piece of fabric worn across your torso and looping through two rings on your shoulder. These are great for our tropical climate as they allow for airflow, and are fairly simple to use. However, all the pressure is on your shoulder which can cause aches and pains and some cannot be machine washed.
Keeping Your Baby Safe in a Carrier
Keep your baby in an inward facing position, and for newborns, ensure that their spine follows the natural C-curve while in a Moby wrap.
Regardless of which option you choose, here are some safety tips to bear in mind. First of all, it’s important to research the various carriers and try them out. You can attend a babywearing group like Babywearing Singapore to try these out in person. Next, check that the product suits your baby’s age, height and weight - if possible - and make sure it has not been recalled. Additionally, you’ll want to read the instruction manual, whether in the packaging material or on the manufacturer’s website, and watch instructional videos from YouTube.
Practice Without Baby
With the carrier of your choice, use a stuffed toy or a doll to simulate the weight in the carrier, and then practice. Put it on and take it off several times. You may get your significant other to help you wear it, but you should also be able to do this on your own. Aim to put the baby carrier on, take it off, buckle and unbuckle it with one hand, and put your baby in and get him/her out without aid. Next, wear it around the house (without your baby) to determine if it’s comfortable for you to wear for long periods of time. When you want to practice with your baby, start on a soft surface or on the floor until you’re competent.
Positioning Your Baby
Keep your baby’s airway clear, by ensuring his/her chin does not touch his/her chest. Additionally, your body shouldn’t compress his/her face as these two positions may obstruct your little one’s breathing and lead to suffocation. Good indications that your baby is strapped in properly are that he/she is upright, and his/her face is visible at all times. Do check on your baby often, and be careful with newborns, who lack the neck strength in normal carriers. Another important consideration is how your baby’s legs are positioned. They should be spread apart and straddling your body for healthy hip positioning. However, do limit your baby’s time in the carrier to an hour at a time, and give him/her a break to move his/her hips around.
Choose a Carrier Suitable for the Climate
In our tropical weather, choose a baby carrier with breathable fabric. Additionally, dress yourself and your baby in light clothing - the heat emanating from your baby and the carrier will keep you warm. Of course, do stay in the shade as much as possible and ensure both of you are hydrated.
Carrying Positions
In the beginning, your baby will be perfectly content in the front inward facing position, as he/she is adapting to life outside the womb. In fact, at two to three months, your baby will be mostly interested in seeing the human face, hence this position will give him/her a perfect view of your face and expressions. During your baby’s first year, try to keep him/her in this position, and accommodate his/her efforts to see the world by turning to the side.
Around six months old, when babies have good head and neck control, it’s possible to switch them to face the outside. Similarly, you can also move your little one to the back or hip position, but make sure he/she is properly supported. Continuously experiment to see how your baby reacts to this position, and if he/she seems unable to disengage from his/her surroundings, you may want to switch positions. This is often an indication that your baby is feeling insecure and wants to continuously watch the situation. Being able to refer to your - or a caregiver’s - face helps them understand what’s happening, and helps them regulate stress reactions.
Finally, when your baby is too heavy to be carried on the front or on the hips, you can switch to your back. Usually this occurs when your baby is about 10 to 12 months old or around 10kg.
Above all, Be Careful
When you’re carrying your baby, your balance may be affected. Additionally, ensure you have enough clearance when going through doorways and turning corners. Bend at your knees and support your baby with one or both hands. Definitely check for any frayed seams and make sure the buckles work well before each use. Of course, don’t cook or drink hot beverages when carrying your baby, don’t wear your baby in a car, and avoid running or cycling with your baby in the carrier.
Relevant Reads: Baby Skincare, Strollers, and Car Seats
Credit: anabel.chew
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