When a baby is awake, it wants to cuddle and feel mummy or daddy's closeness. Preferably very close to the parent's body. Mums and dads feel this intuitively and therefore carry their child a lot.
You have probably already noticed that your baby reflexively pulls its legs up and builds up body tension when you pick it up. This so-called "squatting" is an evolutionary legacy. It is your child's way of preparing to be carried. In behavioural research, babies are also referred to as "carriers", because babies have been carried since the beginning of human history. In this way, mothers always had their children with them - even when breastfeeding. And were still able to go about their daily business.
It was not until the 19th century that the relationship between parents and children was characterised by distance, especially among the wealthy middle classes. No wonder that this "new-fangled" development led to the invention of the pram.
Nowadays, more and more parents are taking a liking to carrying their baby again. It is no longer an either-or question as to whether you want to use a pram or a baby carrier. Both "transport systems" can complement each other well.
At this point, I would also like to dispel any concerns that parents might have about 'spoiling' their child if they carry them a lot. The answer to this is a clear no! Your baby is dependent on your loving care, physical closeness and your immediate response to its needs in order to survive. In this sense, babies cannot be "spoilt" at all.
When it comes to carrying your baby in your arms, I would also like to tell you about an interesting finding from the past 60 years of research: Over two thirds of women and men prefer to carry their baby in their left arm. Among women, the figure is as high as three quarters. The exact reasons for this are still the subject of speculation.
Carry? Yes please!
Babies are not only well "prepared" by nature to be carried and enjoy it, but also have various advantages as a result. In addition, parents also benefit from having their baby close to their body. So let's take a look at the benefits of babywearing.
Bonding: Particularly in the first days and weeks of the newborn's life, the Bonding This is encouraged when mums and dads hold or carry their baby in their arms a lot. This allows them to be close to their child and get to know them better and better. This closeness also makes it easier for mothers and fathers to recognise, understand and respond to their child's signals. This promotes their increasing confidence in dealing with their baby. Ultimately, this also intensifies and strengthens the parent-child bond.
Security: At the same time, the baby in mummy's or daddy's arms immediately feels their warmth. This makes them feel safe and secure and helps them to relax more easily. A nice side effect: this also makes it easier for the child to get rid of wind!
And even if the child cries and is held and carried by its parents, it quickly senses and learns: Mum and Dad are always there when I cry. They give me loving encouragement and comforting closeness. This strengthens the Basic trust of the child immensely!
Development incentives: While you are carrying your child, you are constantly on the move, which is wonderful - every movement you make trains your child's movement and balance organs and constantly stimulates them to make small counter-movements.
Overall, babywearing sharpens all of the child's senses and perception. This in turn promotes brain development. The many sensory stimuli allow the areas of the brain to structure and network better.
Less crying: Various studies have already confirmed that babies who are carried a lot cry less, are less restless and have fewer adjustment difficulties after birth. One research team also came to the conclusion that crying babies can be soothed most effectively if they are carried in the arms and mum or dad walk around. Many parents do this intuitively, simply because it is easier to gently "sway" the baby while walking than when standing or sitting.
Prevention: It is ideal for the baby in your arms to be able to tuck up ("squat") and spread its legs. This supports the child's hip development and can prevent malpositioning of the hip joint socket (hip dysplasia). Frequent carrying of the baby also counteracts a so-called crooked head. When babies lie down a lot, the back of their head with its still very soft skull plates can become deformed and flattened on one or both sides (positional plagiocephaly or brachycephaly).
In many everyday situations, many parents also find it easier to have their child with them in a sling or other carrier because they then have their hands free. This can be when shopping, on public transport or at home, for example.
Carrying - but how?
Regardless of whether you carry your child in a sling or a carrier, every carrying system must fulfil the following requirements Requirements fulfil:
- Especially in the first few months of your child's life, they should definitely Eye contact with you can have. This means: transport your baby in a sling or carrier so that their face is turned towards you. Eye contact with parents is extremely important for babies. This makes it easier for them to learn to interpret the feelings of the other person and to pick up on their language. In addition, the familiar face of mum or dad gives the child more security in the "world out there", which is full of new stimuli and impressions for the baby. In addition, babies can see most clearly at a distance of around 30 cm. And that is roughly the distance between your face and your child's face when you are wearing them.
- When babywearing, the best anatomical "sitting position" for your child is important. It should Squat-spread posturealso known as the "M-posture". This means that the little legs are bent and spread outwards, the knees are at around belly button height and the bum is slightly lower. Baby's hips tilt forwards a little and his back becomes rounded. The carrier bar between your baby's legs must be wide enough for this position.
When your baby is a little older, it may no longer like being carried facing you. You will quickly notice this in the child's reaction. In most cases, however, children do not reject babywearing as such, but simply no longer like the 'parent chest to baby bump' position. The reason: it naturally restricts the child's field of vision. However, as your child's curiosity about their surroundings grows, they will want to see more. Then you can simply try out whether your baby now prefers to be carried on your hip.
Your child should already be a little older for this type of carrier (approx. six months) and, above all, be able to hold its own head in a stable position. Another alternative to the 'parent chest to baby back position' is to carry the child on your back.
Carrying - with what?
Baby carriers are available in all kinds of designs and the choice is now really wide. Slings differ in length, materials and also in the quality of workmanship. Baby carriers are available with ties, buckles or a combination of both.
You have to find out for yourself what suits you or you and your child best and ask for advice and find out what other parents have experienced. In the families I have looked after, I have observed that many mothers tend to prefer a Sling prefer, while some fathers like to go to the Stretcher reaches for. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what is more practical for you or what you are more comfortable with.
Tip: More and more shops are also offering baby carriers for sale, which you can return after a "trial period", e.g. of one month, if you don't like them. In some cases, you can even extend the "trial period" for a fee. Some shops then deduct a small "usage fee" from the refund of the purchase price on return.
Baby carrier: The various models are easy to put on. Some are designed so that the child's weight rests comfortably on the wearer's pelvis and not on their shoulders. Baby carriers can be adjusted to accommodate differences in height between users. For example, if the father is taller than the mother, the carrier can be adjusted accordingly.
Tip: When buying, look for a model that is easy on your back and has good padding. A headrest is important for the baby. Perhaps it is so young that its head still needs support, or it falls asleep while travelling. Even then, the head should not bend to the side.
Sling: With a length of between four and five metres and a width of around 60 cm, you already have a lot of fabric that needs to be "processed". However, experience shows that parents usually learn certain binding techniques quickly and get on well with them. Your midwife can show you how binding works. You can also find instructions on the internet.
As the sling fabric is relatively thin, you can also wear your baby in the sling under your jacket or coat in cold winter temperatures.
Tip: A sling is the better choice for premature babies. Tiny babies are often simply too small to fit "properly" into another baby carrier.
Carrying - but back-friendly
Mum or dad's body also has to get used to carrying the extra weight of the baby. Your back may hurt at first or your muscles may become sore. The smaller your baby is when you start babywearing, the less extra weight your body has to 'cope with'. As your child grows and becomes heavier, your muscles will be trained accordingly.
Older children also love to be carried. Especially on longer excursions and hikes through the countryside, a Ergonomic stretcher for you - but also a valuable support for your child. Equipped with sun protection for your child, they are perfectly prepared for the hike.
Tip: Don't go on long trips at the beginning, but increase the carrying time slowly. You can start indoors before taking your first (short) trip outside.
If you have any questions about carrying your baby, you are welcome to contact midwife Katharina. She will advise you in her online midwife consultation to the best way for you to carry your baby.
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