Have you ever used a baby carrier? Babywearing is a growing trend nowadays, and it has lots of benefits to parents. It gives lots of parent-baby bonding and adventure time together. It specifically supports your baby’s natural posture, reduces infant crying, and frees up your hands to do other things. Using a baby carrier is known to be a win-win solution for you and your baby, physically, emotionally, and cognitively. Do you know how to put on a baby carrier? Read on.
Why Use a Baby Carrier?
A baby carrier is a soft padded baby gear that you wear on your front. It is a supporting device worn by a mother or caregiver that holds the baby close to the torso. Some baby carriers have flexible options so you can wear your baby on your back or hip. It must also be safe and comfortable to wear and must allow healthy hip positioning for your baby. As a parent, you must know how to put on a baby carrier because it gives you lots of benefits. Among the specific benefits when using a baby carrier include the following:
Reduces Baby Crying
If you want to reduce the crying of your young baby, babywearing may be worth trying. It won’t put an end to all of the baby’s tears but may help reduce crying and fussing. Many studies show that carrying babies for three hours a day reduces crying and fussing during evenings.
Enhances Connection
That simple act of being held can help strengthen the bond and attachment between a mother and a baby. You will also have more confidence to begin to read your baby’s cues, like noticing specific movements or noises that help you understand what your baby’s wants are and how they are feeling.
Promotes Health
Skin-to-skin contact has benefits for your babies, especially babies born before 37 weeks. Wearing your baby close, using a particular carrier designed for skin-to-skin contact, may help regulate your baby’s heartbeat, temperature, and breathing patterns while in the neonatal intensive care unit.
Assists with Breastfeeding
If you are breastfeeding, practicing babywearing makes it possible and readily available to breastfeed while your baby is in a carrier. It also makes it easier to feed the baby on the go or to practice demand feeding. Regular breastfeeding also helps maintain or improve the supply of breast milk.
Eases Everyday Life
Babywearing makes it easy for you to go about your daily tasks with both arms and hands available. It enables you to fold laundry, read a book, or even go out for a walk. But always make sure that you’re wearing your baby safe when you do chores.
How to Put on a Baby Carrier
Before knowing how to put on a baby carrier, you need to make sure first that you have the right carrier that is appropriate for your baby’s age, size, and developmental stages. The following are tips that will guide you on how to wear a baby carrier:
Carry in the Right Position
You should find the right position to carry your baby in. The most common positions are facing in, facing out, hip carry, and back carry. Facing in is excellent for smaller babies and newborns needing firm neck and head support. The baby must be in the m-position wherein knees are slightly higher than the bottom, to protect their hips. Facing out is for babies who have passed the newborn stage already, and can hold their heads up by themselves. This way, they can then look out and experience their surroundings.
The hip carry position is excellent for small and large babies, as it is natural for both babies and carriers. It is a versatile and useful position that lets the baby face in and straddles the carrier’s hips. Meanwhile, back carry is for babies who can sit up on their own. This one is great for action adventures, like hiking, because you have your front, and both arms free.
Bend at the Legs, Not the Back
You should be extra cautious of the excess weight of the baby when babywearing. Don’t ever risk losing your balance or having baby slip out on the side. To keep the baby upright, always bend with your legs, rather than leaning your back forward. Make sure to watch where you step and be aware of any slippery portions or any other obstacles. Using your legs will also help protect your lower back.
Practice Using Your Carrier
If you are using a baby carrier for the first time or have just bought a new baby carrier, get comfortable with the style by trying it out without your baby in it first. Be free to adjust the straps and figure out which position is the most secure. Also, make sure everything is tightened and comfortable.
Always Protect Baby’s Head, Neck, and Airways
Your baby’s safety is one of the essential considerations when babywearing. Always make sure that the carrier isn’t blocking your baby’s airway and that their head is always supported, and their neck is in the right position. It is best to consider TICKS when babywearing, as a general rule. It means to keep your baby tight, in view at all times, close, keep the chin up, and support back. You and your baby will enjoy the benefits of babywearing, once you and your baby find the perfect carrier, and consider the tips on how to put on a baby carrier.
Conclusion
Your baby’s safety is one of the essential considerations when babywearing. Always make sure that the carrier isn’t blocking your baby’s airway and that their head is always supported, and their neck is in the right position. It is best to consider TICKS when babywearing, as a general rule. It means to keep your baby tight, in view at all times, close, keep the chin up, and support back. You and your baby will enjoy the benefits of babywearing, once you and your baby find the perfect carrier, and consider the tips on how to put on a baby carrier. Find out more about baby carriers