need help with studies about carrying infants/toddlers on your hip

[ashleyhaugh]

my sisters boyfriend has a daughter who is about 15 months old. he swears that carrying a baby, or even now that shes a toddler, on your hip with babys legs straddling the adult is bad for their hips/legs/ whatever. shes told him that it doesnt cause any harm. hes willing to read studies saying that its ok, but he just wont look it up by himself, so my sister asked me to post here asking for links.

hes a pretty over protective, and doesnt want anything hurting his baby

[Mama2Bug]

I couldn't find much info beyond a lot of sites that tell how to use a wrap in the hip carry position. This site actually recommends carrying your baby on your hip (amongst other carries).

I wonder if he's thinking of the advice against mainstream baby carriers, like the Bjorn, that force the baby's hips into an unnatural position?

[Devaskyla]

I remember many years ago reading that carrying things, including children, on your hip was bad for your pelvis, but never that it was bad for the child.

[AVeryGoodYear]

Originally Posted by Mama2Bug

I wonder if he's thinking of the advice against mainstream baby carriers, like the Bjorn, that force the baby's hips into an unnatural position?

Wait, what's this? I use a Bjorn all the time and my girl loves it, but I have no problem buying something new if it's detrimental to her bone structure.

[syd'smom]

If you think about how we all naturally sit, it is on our bums with our legs supported. It is a great position of babies/toddlers as they are properly supporting their spines/hips and developing core muscles. (I was just talking with a PT about this last week). If I am in a chair that does not support my legs, they fall asleep. Occupational health and safety standards have a strict time limit that workers can be in a harness (like a bjorn).

A bjorn was our first carrier - I found it uncomfortable on my neck and shoulders, even with my 8lb newborn. When I really thought about the carrying position, I realized it probably wasn't the comfiest for dd either.

Whether an ergo type carrier, or mei tai, or ringsling - the most comfy position for babe is on their bum, with their knees slightly higher than the bum and legs supported by the fabric from knee to knee. There are lots of great carriers (in lots of good price ranges) that will have this positioning, and be way more comfortable for you. As a bonus - the upper weight limit is usually 35-40lbs - so a much better investment than the bjorn (as mine sits sadly unused in the garage ).

[St. Margaret]

Here's an ongoing discussion by the teachers/advocates over at TBW. There are some more links in the thread about how you want baby to sit with their weight on their bum, not their crotch (bum lower than knees, weight on bum and legs).

Hopefully this helps the OP and the question about the bjorn.

[meemee]

hmmm i look at pictures of mom's carrying their babies in developing nations and many carry on their hips.

[crazydiamond]

Originally Posted by Devaskyla

I remember many years ago reading that carrying things, including children, on your hip was bad for your pelvis, but never that it was bad for the child.

Certainly its not so great for the mother, who is usually putting her weight on one leg and tilting her pelvis, but I don't really think it's a problem for the child, I agree.


When you talk about carriers, yes, I can see the importance of choosing one that encourages proper spinal alignment. After all, these carriers are often used for long periods of times. But without a carrier, just holding baby on the hip I don't think is a problem because, really, how long are we talking about here? I can't carry my 1 yr old on my hip for longer than about 5-10 min before my arm gets tired. I think a child would be fine being carried on the hip for that short of a time, even if the carry didn't promote the best weight distribution and spinal alignment.

[skreader]

Originally Posted by crazydiamond

Certainly its not so great for the mother, who is usually putting her weight on one leg and tilting her pelvis, but I don't really think it's a problem for the child, I agree.
.

Yes, be very careful about aligning you back when carrying infants and toddlers. I had to go to physiotherapy for a bad back from carrying my son on my hip a lot (no carrier). After that I tended to carry him and DD on my shoulders - kept my back aligned.

10 years on, it's my "bad side" and I have to remember and be gentle w/ it.

[ashleyhaugh]

yeah i definitly know it can mess with the adult. thankfully, ive always had "baby carrying hips" so i dont have to cock my hip out too far.

we found this which has some information she can use, and its just interesting in general from what i skimmed through

[tjjazzy]

i carry my son on my hip pretty often. is there a hip carry for the mei tai? that might come in handy for me.

[AVeryGoodYear]

Originally Posted by ashleyhaugh

we found this which has some information she can use, and its just interesting in general from what i skimmed through

Oooh, bookmarked to share with my pregnant friends (and my hubby!) Very interesting find, thank you.