Babywearing: Difference between revisions
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== Benefits of baby-wearing == |
== Benefits of baby-wearing == |
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[[William Sears ( |
[[William Sears (physician)|Dr. William Sears]], a [[Pediatrics|pediatrician]], coined the phase ''[[attachment parenting]]''. One of Sears' principles of attachment parenting is babywearing and he attributes many benefits to babywearing and the in-arms style of parenting. |
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'''Benefits of |
'''Benefits of babywearing include:''' |
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* Mothers' progesterone (mothering hormone) is increased through physical contact with |
* Mothers' [[progesterone]] (mothering hormone) is increased through physical contact with the infant, leading to a more intimate [[maternal bond]], easier [[breastfeeding]] and better care. Thus lowering incidence of [[postpartum depression]] and [[psychosomatic illness]]. |
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* Infants who are carried are calmer – all their primal/survival needs are met: caregiver can be seen, heard, smelled, touched, tasted, fed (breastfeeding mother) and motion necessary for continuing [[neural development]], [[Gastrointestinal tract|gastrointestinal]] and [[Respiratory system|respiratory]] health and to establish [[Equilibrioception|balance]] ([[inner ear]] development) and [[muscle tone]], is constant. |
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* Infants [[Intelligence quotient|IQ]] and [[brain]] mass are measurably greater. When primal needs are met, babies spend more time in a quiet state of attentive alertness, ideal for learning – rather than in a panicked survival mode. |
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* Infants are more organized; parental rhythms (walking, heartbeat, etc.) have balancing and soothing effects on infants. |
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* Infants are "[[human]]ized" earlier by developing socially; babies are closer to people and can study [[facial expression]]s, learn [[language]]s faster and be familiar with [[body language]]. |
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* Developmental milestones such as learning to walk, talk and toilet train are reached earlier. |
* Developmental milestones such as learning to walk, talk and toilet train are reached earlier. |
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* Contrary to western cultural myths, independence is established earlier. |
* Contrary to western cultural myths, independence is established earlier. |
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* Aggression is diminished. |
* [[Aggression]] is diminished. |
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== Practicality of babywearing == |
== Practicality of babywearing == |
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[[Image:Edward S. Curtis Collection People 007.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A traditional [[Nez Perce]] [[Cradle board|cradleboard]] (1911).]] |
[[Image:Edward S. Curtis Collection People 007.jpg|thumb|right|150px|A traditional [[Nez Perce]] [[Cradle board|cradleboard]] (1911).]] |
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Babywearing can help [[premature birth|premature]] babies and babies who are slow weight gainers to gain weight at a faster rate. Since the baby is held up close to the [[mother]], he or she will be nursed more often and often for longer intervals. |
Babywearing can help [[premature birth|premature]] babies and babies who are slow weight gainers to gain weight at a faster rate. Since the baby is held up close to the [[mother]], he or she will be nursed more often and often for longer intervals. |
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== Babywearing safety considerations == |
== Babywearing safety considerations == |
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| ⚫ | Parents who babywear must be aware of external hazards in the environment, mostly relating to floor or ground conditions, such as icy sidewalks, etc. Also, as the baby has more freedom of movement and is closer to the adult point of view while in a sling as opposed to a stroller, parents must also watch to prevent the baby from grabbing hot drinks or other dangerous items. Proper position in the sling/carrier is important for the infant's [[Hip (anatomy)|hip]], [[pelvis]] and [[Vertebral column|spine]] growth. A proper carrier will disperse most of the infant's weight between the hips and thighs, which helps to eliminate compression of the spine. [http://www.ergobabycarrier.com/carrier.html] |
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| ⚫ | Parents who babywear must be aware of external hazards in the environment, mostly relating to floor or ground conditions, such as icy sidewalks, etc. Also, as the baby has more freedom of movement and is closer to the adult point of view while in a sling as opposed to a stroller, parents must also watch to prevent the baby from grabbing hot drinks or other dangerous items. |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://askdrsears.com/html/5/T051100.asp Dr. Sears' guide to babywearing] |
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*[http://www.WearYourBaby.com/ www.WearYourBaby.com] -- Videos, step-by-step photo tutorials and printable how-to sheets. WearYourBaby.com is the website of the Mamatoto Project which is a non-profit promoting and teaching babywearing. Includes instructions on using a wide variety of carriers and instructions to make, sew or improvise a carrier. |
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*[http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/BWInfo.htm Research on babywearing] |
*[http://www.thebabywearer.com/lists/BWInfo.htm Research on babywearing] |
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Revision as of 01:19, 27 July 2006
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 | The neutrality of this article is disputed. |
Babywearing is the act of wearing or carrying a baby or child in a sling or other form of carrier. Parents in traditional cultures have carried and worn their babies since the beginning of time. In the industrialized world babywearing has gained popularity, partly under influence of advocates of attachment parenting. Babywearing is a form of baby transport.
Benefits of baby-wearing
Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician, coined the phase attachment parenting. One of Sears' principles of attachment parenting is babywearing and he attributes many benefits to babywearing and the in-arms style of parenting.
Benefits of babywearing include:
- Mothers' progesterone (mothering hormone) is increased through physical contact with the infant, leading to a more intimate maternal bond, easier breastfeeding and better care. Thus lowering incidence of postpartum depression and psychosomatic illness.
- Infants who are carried are calmer – all their primal/survival needs are met: caregiver can be seen, heard, smelled, touched, tasted, fed (breastfeeding mother) and motion necessary for continuing neural development, gastrointestinal and respiratory health and to establish balance (inner ear development) and muscle tone, is constant.
- Infants IQ and brain mass are measurably greater. When primal needs are met, babies spend more time in a quiet state of attentive alertness, ideal for learning – rather than in a panicked survival mode.
- Infants are more organized; parental rhythms (walking, heartbeat, etc.) have balancing and soothing effects on infants.
- Infants are "humanized" earlier by developing socially; babies are closer to people and can study facial expressions, learn languages faster and be familiar with body language.
- Developmental milestones such as learning to walk, talk and toilet train are reached earlier.
- Contrary to western cultural myths, independence is established earlier.
- Aggression is diminished.
![[icon]](/enwiki/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. |
Practicality of babywearing
Slings allow the wearer to have two free hands to accomplish tasks such as laundry or cooking while caring for the baby's need to be held or breastfed. A sling offers an alternative to placing a car seat on top of a shopping cart. It also allows children to be part of the action and to see the world from a better view. Babies and children will enjoy getting to see the zoo and other places of interest from up high and not down on the ground in a stroller or car seat.
Many sling users have found that it is easier on the back and shoulders than carrying their infant in a car seat. The weight of the child is spread more evenly across the upper body. This is particularly true for babywearing systems that use both shoulders rather than one.
Slings can also be a stylish statement. They come in many different designs and colors to match any wardrobe. They also are available in many different types of material; anything from silk, hemp, cotton to wool, fleece, and flax/linen.
Breastfeeding and babywearing
Breastfeeding and babywearing go hand in hand. Using a sling offers many mothers the privacy they desire when nursing their young. A sling also allows the mother to nurse 'hands free', while tending to other activities or household chores.
Babywearing can help premature babies and babies who are slow weight gainers to gain weight at a faster rate. Since the baby is held up close to the mother, he or she will be nursed more often and often for longer intervals.
Babywearing safety considerations
Parents who babywear must be aware of external hazards in the environment, mostly relating to floor or ground conditions, such as icy sidewalks, etc. Also, as the baby has more freedom of movement and is closer to the adult point of view while in a sling as opposed to a stroller, parents must also watch to prevent the baby from grabbing hot drinks or other dangerous items. Proper position in the sling/carrier is important for the infant's hip, pelvis and spine growth. A proper carrier will disperse most of the infant's weight between the hips and thighs, which helps to eliminate compression of the spine. [1]