[wagamama]

I'd like to start carrying my next baby from the beginning, but am nervous about it. Is it really safe for the spine, head/neck, etc.?

I lived in Kenya for a while, and a local woman told me they don't start carrying their babies until 3 months or so -- of course, they only have the back carry, which is obviously inappropriate for a newborn.

And in Japan, there was something in the media about newborns needing firm support in a sling -- some slings on the market were allowing the baby's back to curve too much, and this was apparently not safe.

Does anyone know more ... ?

 

[moondiapers]

all I have is anecdotal experience. I carried my son in a sling or wrap from day 1 without problems. They are all curved and curled up when in the womb too

 

[Leilalu]

The only problem I could see with women wearing a baby early on, would be not cueing in to baby as much, and skipping nessecary nursing sessions. Plus, you need recovery time after baby, and to get stronger, and many women teach potty training early on in all parts of the world. I can see how slinging for lengths of time might interfere with cues early on. So maybe it is just for practicality?

 

[bellymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leilalu The only problem I could see with women wearing a baby early on, would be not cueing in to baby as much, and skipping nessecary nursing sessions. Plus, you need recovery time after baby, and to get stronger, and many women teach potty training early on in all parts of the world. I can see how slinging for lengths of time might interfere with cues early on. So maybe it is just for practicality?

babywearing promotes a really healthy nursing relationship. the close contact actually will make the baby nurse more often, and the mother will be better able to cue into her babies needs. when i started putting my son down for his naps in a swing rather than a wrap, he nursed about 50% less during the day. when i started wearing him again for naps, he increased his nursing back to what he had been doing.
if you are having issues with nursing, babywearing would be the best thing to do besides just climbing into bed with baby.
i wore my son tummy to tummy in a stretchy wrap from week 2 on...if you tie him in correctly he will not be curved, at least not in that carry. i didn't like slings or cradle holds for my newborn because it felt a little too unstable, but that is personal preference, because i know women who do it and its fine. you have to be vigilant about making sure your newborn is in a safe position, but with time and practice you will be a pro at wearing him in a way that works for both of you. be patient, practice and if a carrier or a carry is not working, you made need to try different ones. not all babies like all carries or positions...again, time,patience and practice will help you.
http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...bywearing.html
heres the link to motherings babywearing articles, they have more info on the benefits of wearing your baby and tips on how to do it successfully.

 

[Marlet]

I've been carrying DD sicne birth. We've sed ring slings mostly which are thic enough material to support a babe but it still bends and flows with the babe. Our main carry until she could go on my hip was tummy to tummy (legs froggy style) which is how a lot of newborns lay anyway.

 

[UmmIbrahim]

hey

The African mamas Ive talked to said they started when the child was 1-2 weeks old...after they no longer had their postpartum rest and had to get up and start working...they dont wait till 3 months. Atleast the women I know from Nigeria said this.

Also...I wore DS starting from 1 week after he was born-before that I was too weak and didnt even leave the bed hardly. But, I started him out in a front carry in a stretchy wrap-but moved to back carrying him in an Onbuhimo (The japanese kind which r smaller and have a narrower body) becos I really wanted to be able to cook stuff and tidy up-it was winter so we didnt go anywhere, so it was just inside...I started this when he was 3 weeks.

For the back carry, the onbu has a snap in headrest which i snapped down inside the body so it gave good back support and the body is narrow so he was able to "sit" in it. He was also BIG at birth so maybe that was helpful. I only kept him on me for 2-3 hrs a day...

ALSO-it helped with his gas and burping and he started to sleep at night, I really think the carrying helped him *alot*

Umm Ibi

 

[Leilalu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellymama babywearing promotes a really healthy nursing relationship. the close contact actually will make the baby nurse more often, and the mother will be better able to cue into her babies needs. when i started putting my son down for his naps in a swing rather than a wrap, he nursed about 50% less during the day. when i started wearing him again for naps, he increased his nursing back to what he had been doing. if you are having issues with nursing, babywearing would be the best thing to do besides just climbing into bed with baby. i wore my son tummy to tummy in a stretchy wrap from week 2 on...if you tie him in correctly he will not be curved, at least not in that carry. i didn't like slings or cradle holds for my newborn because it felt a little too unstable, but that is personal preference, because i know women who do it and its fine. you have to be vigilant about making sure your newborn is in a safe position, but with time and practice you will be a pro at wearing him in a way that works for both of you. be patient, practice and if a carrier or a carry is not working, you made need to try different ones. not all babies like all carries or positions...again, time,patience and practice will help you. http://www.mothering.com/articles/ne...bywearing.html heres the link to motherings babywearing articles, they have more info on the benefits of wearing your baby and tips on how to do it successfully.

Oh, I know all that

I was mostly reffering to the ECing. I was trying to feel out what the OP was saying she had heard. I personally don't know how they do it in Africa right off the bat for newborns. I have seen women do back carries with young infants and was merely thinking that it might be difficult to do back carries for long periods of time with newborns. The babies I saw were around 3+ months old.

I am personally all for wearing newborns right out of the womb

However, recovering from 2 c-sections, it was often easier to hold them just as well.

I can also see how some women may feel it akward. In the initial stage of getting to know a newborn, if you are spending all your time fiddling with slings and really just not getting it, it may be counterproductive. So I could understand if a mom was busy with the nursing, diapering/EC, sleep patterns, chores, etc. (I am in no way saying it is ok to not hold newborns for any length of time however)

 

[Kay11]

Quote:

Originally Posted by UmmIbrahim hey The African mamas Ive talked to said they started when the child was 1-2 weeks old...after they no longer had their postpartum rest and had to get up and start working...they dont wait till 3 months.

Absolutely. I don't know of anyone in the country I'm originally from who would wait 3 months!
Back carries are perfectly safe with a newborn too.

 

[Leilalu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kay11 Absolutely. I don't know of anyone in the country I'm originally from who would wait 3 months! Back carries are perfectly safe with a newborn too.

that is good to know

Would you mind enlightening as to how everything is balanced? Is it easy to do EC with a newborn while slinging? I have always wondered this- how other cultures approach slinging a newborn.

 

[SleepyMamaBear]

i slung Addy from day 8 on. before that we were in bed while i was healing my c-sec.. we mainly did a tummy to tummy position in a wrap, then when she got enough neck strength and started wanting to face out we did the buddha legs in the wrap, and also used a pouch and a ring sling. now for her at almost three and almost 40lbs she gets worn in a meitai.

 

[UmmIbrahim]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leilalu that is good to know Would you mind enlightening as to how everything is balanced? Is it easy to do EC with a newborn while slinging? I have always wondered this- how other cultures approach slinging a newborn.

well, being that I dont "EC", but use diapers thats not a huge problem...and when he was hungry, just like now id take him down off my back and feed him then pop him back up.

Umm Ibi

 

[cdmaze]

My dd was on me as much as was practical- I absolutely recommend it, in fact!

I think babywearing is much safer than leaving your baby in a cradle or on a blanket! (but, I'm not an expert...)

 

[Snowdrift]

We gotta remember that Africa is an entire continent with lots of different cultures. Some traditional carries work better for an infant with good head support. But I've done back carries with a 7 week old and intend to do them from day 1 (well, maybe 2 or 3) with my next babe (due in Jan).

I think the big concern with some cradle-type holds is that they can push the baby's chin into his chest which can block airflow. I prefer wrapping in an upright position for that reason (among others).

 

[lilylove]

This is a great article on positioning while babywearing, that might help relieve you nerves

I have worn both my children from the very first few days. With newborns it just takes a bit more care and adjusting to get them in just right.

 

[Quirky]

I think there's a difference in the question that needs to be teased out: a) is it safe/good to carry your newborn all day, and b) how is it safe to carry a newborn? The answer to a) is definitely, yes -- for bonding, for breastfeeding, for AP, for neurological and physical development, as human babies evolved to need constant in-arms contact with their mothers/other adult caregivers.

As for b), as long as you carry your baby in an appropriate, safe position -- of which there are many, and many different appropriate carriers -- then it's all good. It's only in an unsafe carrier or in an unsafe position, such as a cradle position in a too-deep ring sling or pouch with chin tightly tucked to chest, that there are risks.

I very much like the upright position for a NB, as a previous poster mentioned. My favorites for the newborn stage are a stretchy wrap and a large-bodied mei tai. With the latter you can safely do a high back carry from birth, which is very comfortable and liberating!

 

[Leilalu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quirky I think there's a difference in the question that needs to be teased out: a) is it safe/good to carry your newborn all day, and b) how is it safe to carry a newborn? The answer to a) is definitely, yes -- for bonding, for breastfeeding, for AP, for neurological and physical development, as human babies evolved to need constant in-arms contact with their mothers/other adult caregivers. As for b), as long as you carry your baby in an appropriate, safe position -- of which there are many, and many different appropriate carriers -- then it's all good. It's only in an unsafe carrier or in an unsafe position, such as a cradle position in a too-deep ring sling or pouch with chin tightly tucked to chest, that there are risks. I very much like the upright position for a NB, as a previous poster mentioned. My favorites for the newborn stage are a stretchy wrap and a large-bodied mei tai. With the latter you can safely do a high back carry from birth, which is very comfortable and liberating!

I agree mostly with this, however, I actually prefer the cradle hold for a newborn. I think it is much more like being back in the womb, as they are mostly weightless, and there is no strain on any particular body part. The kangaroo is an excellent hold for a newborn as well.

As for blocking air flow- my mom, who did not sling put it to me this way( I know not all here will agree):
She said" If she couldn't breathe you would be able to tell." This was said of my dd when she was just a month or two old, in the pouch cradle carry.
In reply, I mostly agree, but I think all moms need to be aware of their babes in slings at all times. I used to prop dd's head up at first with a rolled up receiving blanket. but my kids slept SO GOOD in that hold! Ds especially, who was collicky and literally would not lay by himself for a nap longer than 10 minutes for about the first 6 months of his life. So I think it can be a very safe hold, if you are aware of your baby.

 

[lexmas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leilalu that is good to know Would you mind enlightening as to how everything is balanced? Is it easy to do EC with a newborn while slinging? I have always wondered this- how other cultures approach slinging a newborn.

EC is EASIEST with babe in a sling! They get awfully squirmy and cranky when they have to go while they're in a sling, and usually don't pee (well, don't pee as much as newborns, often don't pee at all when older) while in the sling, and will go when you take them out. Plus, there's no better way to get in tune with their signals than having them right there with you. I've never had to worry about misses while DS is in the sling, it's when he's not that I have to pay attention!

 

[bellymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leilalu Oh, I know all that I was mostly reffering to the ECing. I was trying to feel out what the OP was saying she had heard. I personally don't know how they do it in Africa right off the bat for newborns. I have seen women do back carries with young infants and was merely thinking that it might be difficult to do back carries for long periods of time with newborns. The babies I saw were around 3+ months old. I am personally all for wearing newborns right out of the womb However, recovering from 2 c-sections, it was often easier to hold them just as well. I can also see how some women may feel it akward. In the initial stage of getting to know a newborn, if you are spending all your time fiddling with slings and really just not getting it, it may be counterproductive. So I could understand if a mom was busy with the nursing, diapering/EC, sleep patterns, chores, etc. (I am in no way saying it is ok to not hold newborns for any length of time however)

oooooh, ec cues...i get it. sorry! i was thinking feeding cues. i can see how ec cues would be hard. was she saying she wanted to ec? i should reread her post. sometimes with my son climbing all over me i skim over things.

 

[bellymama]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Leilalu The kangaroo is an excellent hold for a newborn as well..

by kangaroo do you mean forward facing? i am confused about this. maybe we mean different things by kangaroo. i consider kangaroo my son sitting lotus position in the sling facing out. is that what you mean? because unless a newborn had miraculous head control and core strength i think it would be a strain on them, wouldn't it?
kangaroo ( as i just described my version...is that anyone elses version?) was the hold i used from 3 month until about a week or two ago when my ds got too big to squeeze into my pouch...now we have to do hip carry.
when my son was a newborn i liked the tummy to tummy position in a stretch wrap. it felt great.

 

[Khourtniey]

I started wearing my 29 weeker when he was around 2 months old.. which was BEFORE his due date.. He is fine now and was then.. As long as they receive the proper care outside of being carried it should be fine!