Babywearing frees the hands, facilitates closeness with our baby and allows us to accomplish tasks and activities that would otherwise be impossible to carry out in our daily lives. Let us think, among other things, of carrying training.
This way of moving with baby has become very popular with new moms. We so understand why! On the other hand, before practicing it, there are safety rules to follow to respect the physiological development of our baby. Ergonomic carrying is the key not only to protect the baby, but also to ensure that we too, the mothers, are protected from discomfort and injury.
Ergonomic babywearing is babywearing that respects the physiognomy and physiology of our child. It ensures a comfortable and safe position for baby, while adequately distributing his weight on his mother's trunk. In the first twelve months of life, the child's bones and joints develop rapidly. If the baby is incorrectly installed in a baby carrier or if it is installed in a baby carrier that is not adapted to its physiology, it can easily be injured.
Here are the basic safety rules to follow when training with baby in carry.
Position
For carrying training, the prone position (upright, tummy to tummy with the carrier) is recommended for all babies who are not yet crawling or walking. However, if the baby has reached this stage of development, it is possible to carry it on the back because it will be able to clear its airways on its own if necessary. Carrying baby facing the world is not optimal because this position limits mum's movements during exercise. In addition, carrying facing the world, during a fitness class, imposes very intense sound and visual stimuli on baby which limits his rest and potential sleep. Falling asleep in this position poses a risk of positional asphyxiation, as the baby's chin would touch his chest.
In prone position
- The baby should be placed high enough so that the wearer can easily tilt his head and give him a kiss.
- His back is bent, his pelvis tilted forward and his knees up.
- The fabric of the seat of the baby carrier provides knee-to-knee support.
- The child's weight is evenly distributed on mum's trunk.
- His airways are clear at all times. His face and especially his nostrils are visible, it is possible to pass a finger under the baby's chin.
- In the prone position, it is essential to contract your abdominals and your floor wellpelvic to protect his back.
In supine position
Mom should already master the back carry before attempting a workout
Proper support for baby's head
If baby does not hold their head securely, the carrier should have a hood or flap to help them do so. If he falls asleep, his head must be leaning against the wearer and not leaning back. Mom should avoid sudden movements and ensure head support at all times.
There are different types of baby carriers and just as many ways to wear them. It is important to choose a baby carrier adapted to your child's stage of development, to follow the manufacturer's instructions. Also take into consideration that your baby carrier must be easy to maintain because you will often sweat in it!
In short, it is recommended to follow a carrying workshop with a certified instructor to see more clearly in all these options. Note that if you are pregnant, we do not recommend carrying because it is a lot of effort for your abdominals and your pelvic floor.
