here's your baby, wear it out

Filed Under Pregnancy and Birthing, Tips & Tricks | February 5, 2009

This article originally appeared on yoyomama in June 2008. It is a sample of the sort of content you’ll find coming up on yoyobelly!

In this month’s regular column on caring for your body, Dr. Stephanie Bonn of Bonn Chiropractic looks at baby wearing and all its benefits.

There are so many benefits to wearing our babies, not least the positive impact it has on an infant’s physical, emotional, social and neurological development. Because babies should sleep on their back, it is important to have them upright or on their tummy during the day to develop their cervical spine and avoid cranial flattening. As there’s only so much tummy time one baby can take, a carrier is an optimal way to strengthen their neck and back. Other baby wearing benefits include a decrease in separation anxiety, more efficient daytime naps, a better latch for nursing and a possible minimizing of colic.

When wearing a carrier you (and your partner) will benefit from the weight-bearing exercise, and with your baby close your milk production will become more efficient and you will have an increase in “happy” hormones, decreasing your risk of postpartum depression. You can be hands-free and easily multi-task through your daily activities. And don’t forget the environmental benefits – you’ll use your car less and there’s one less stroller to manufacture.

Choosing the right carrier is important to avoid repetitive strain injuries to your neck and back strain, as well as headaches and tendonitis. Here are a few things to think about when you’re carrier shopping:

• Does the carrier offer various positions: front, side, back?
• Are there numerous positions for the baby: forward facing, chest facing, vertical, horizontal, legs folded or straight?
• How long will the carrier accommodate the child’s growth and postural development?
• Is it difficult to transfer the baby in and out of the carrier?
• Can your baby breastfeed in the carrier?
• Are your hands free?
• Is the weight of the baby evenly distributed to avoid repetitive stress and postural compensations to one area of your spine?
• Does the carrier optimally support your baby’s developing spine?

One carrier may not do it all. Our favourites are a sling for shorter excursions and activities and a well-balanced carrier for longer outings. So why not try it? After all, baby wearing will optimize your health and wellness and support the growth and development of your baby.

Dr. Stephanie Bonn is a mother of two and owner of Bonn Chiropractic, a great resource for prenatal chiropractic care: www.bonnchiropractic.com. Further studies and research can be found on the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association’s website www.icpa4kids.org.