Arvizu: Wear All The Babies

Email to a friend Permalink

Thursday, April 30, 2015

Erin Arvizu, GoLocal Worcester Health Columnist

Parents today face unique struggles when it comes to raising their kids.  We live in a time where an endless amount of information is constantly at our fingertips and almost everyone has a platform to share their opinions.  It might leave some of us feeling overwhelmed and insecure.  How can I make breastfeeding easier?  How can I make sure I’m meeting my child’s emotional needs?  What if I haven’t done tummy time at all this week?  If we can stop for a moment and tap back into our natural parenting instincts, we just might realize that there’s a simple solution that makes sense – to wear all the babies.

There are lots of baby carriers on the market – some are long wraps, some are structured carriers, some are better for newborns, some are better for toddlers, etc. Some carriers are unique in that they combine the benefits of both a wrap and a structured carrier in one simple design, such as the Baby K’tan.

We spoke to Reina Christian of Baby K’tan about why baby wearing is so beneficial.  “Wearing your child in a wrap, sling or carrier,” Christian explains “will result in beneficial, permanent brain changes that enhance baby’s IQ, in addition to long term benefits of good health, psychological security and independence, according to several studies.” When babies are carried (and worn) they feel secure and develop trust for their caregiver.  “Babies who are securely attached to their caregivers,” Christian adds “often become more independent at an earlier age.”

Having baby close to mom also helps with breastfeeding.  Mom will be able to pick up on hunger cues sooner and it can make the frequent, on demand feeding easier. It may take a bit of practice, but learning to nurse baby in the carrier opens a whole new world for a mom who needs to get stuff done around the house or care for an older child.  “Truthfully, that is one of the struggles in everyday tasks –“ Reina shares, “the inability to get anything done because baby demands close attention and closeness to mom or dad.  A carrier gives parents the option to tend tasks around the house while baby is close by – it’s a win-win situation.”

Lastly, one piece of advice that most parents receive from pediatricians is to do tummy time with their infants for a certain amount of time each day.  This can be stressful for both baby and parents if baby dislikes being on their belly.  An alternative way to accomplish that muscle development is through baby wearing.  “Wearing your baby in the Baby K’tan,” Reina adds “or other carriers and wraps will allow your baby to exercise his neck, head and back muscles offering similar benefits to ‘tummy time.’”

So if you’re feeling overwhelmed trying to meet all of your baby’s physical and emotional needs, try a baby carrier and go about your day.  Both you and baby will feel comforted knowing how beneficial baby wearing is and you might actually be able to make yourself a sandwich or fold some laundry!

Related Articles

• Arvizu: Do You Want Your Epidural Now?
• Arvizu: 5 Ways to Make Your C-Section More Family Centered
• Arvizu: The Risks and Benefits of The Oral Glucose Tolerance Test
• Arvizu: Should All Breech Babies Be C-Sections?
• PowerPlayer: United Way CEO Tim Garvin
• Arvizu: Why Do Women Still Choose Home Birth?
• Arvizu: 3 Ways to Get Breastfeeding Off to a Good Start
• Arvizu: Integrating Doulas Adds Value to Healthcare
• Arvizu: Yoga: Because it Takes a Village
• Arvizu: High Risk Pregnancy: A Beautiful Birth and Heartbreaking Loss
• Arvizu: Massage Makes Pregnancy Better
• Arvizu: All Parents and Babies Can Benefit From A Little Music Therapy
• Arvizu: 5 Common Car Seat Mistakes 80% of Parents Make

Enjoy this post? Share it with others.

Email to a friend Permalink