Posted by: Anna on: November 19, 2010
When the topic of babywearing comes up, safety concerns usually follow. Naturally, after all the recalls of the spring, no one wants to put their baby in danger. Understandable! The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance (BCIA); as a group effort or manufacturers, retailers, and enthusiasts; has just posted their baby wearing safety page as a general guideline for babywearing safety. But I want to talk about more than just safety, I want to talk about the reason most people babywear, or give up trying – comfort.
Your baby/toddler wants to be held. Naturally, you pick them up to meet their need, at some point anyway. What position did you just pick your baby up in? Upright? Cradle (now I have heard the distinction of semi-reclining vs cradle where their bum would be at an equal level with the head)? When you pick up a toddler – where do you place them? On your hip? Straddled across the front? Piggy Back? Watch the way a toddler naturally brings up their knees to straddle as you pick them up. Watch where you instinctively place you baby toddler. Newborns are usually chest level, toddlers straddle the waist.
THIS is the same position you want to wear your child. The carrier provides the ‘arms’ and support so you do not have to actively hold them up. But the child’s position is the same. Not only is this best developmentally for the child, it is more COMFORTABLE for the parent. This the natural way your body would hold them, the least strain on your back, spine, hips and knees.
Therefore, it is important to carry a child, in any carrier, the same as you would in arm’s. This includes making sure they are visible, kissable, and their bum will always be at or above your belly button (because just try dangling a toddler with their hips lower on your body in arms – it causes back strain as they sway with the movement of your legs, and you will naturally readjust to bring them up higher – regardless of position (front, hip)). You will also naturally hold you child against your body for support, not inches from your body. This keeps your center of gravity where it needs to be, with less strain on your back.
It is not at all surprising to hear comments that babywearing is ‘uncomfortable’ for a parent when the child is not supported by the carrier into and ‘in arms’ position. When choosing a good carrier, make sure it mimics the way you naturally hold your child. (only exception would be a high back carry that we just can’t get our arms to mimic. )
If you need more help choosing a carrier, please check out the sling comparisons by age at Once Upon a Sling, that walk you through the different positions at different ages.
