Laurel is a new grandmother of Aidan, born February 2nd 2008. She has been a registered nurse since 1969. Laurel earned her BA in Cognitive Science from SUNY Buffalo in 2002.
INTRO
When my daughter announced her pregnancy she said that she would like to have some slings. Ok. Slings. How complicated can that be? Those of us who are boomer grandparents will probably have had those carrier thingies that were available back in the ‘70’s. They were either front packs or big metal-framed backpacks that, at least in my experience, were complicated and uncomfortable for the wearer and for the kid. Any shift in the child’s weight was accompanied by the sensation that the kid was going to fall out, suffer horrid things, and it would be entirely your fault. Surely our parents taught us that babies belong safely in their carriages or cribs? Still, I think some of us sensed that the more stimulation a child has, the better for the child’s social and emotional development. Or, just maybe, we enjoyed the sensation of snuggling with them and hesitated to let them “cry it out.”
In the meanwhile, moms from cultures different from ours and all over the planet have safely worn their infant or toddler offspring since cave times. I don’t know that they were subjected to “double blind” studies nor did they analyze what would happen if they didn’t wear the kid. They just did it.
It may be because this generation of parents are smarter or it may be because they have to make the most of their limited time, but the literature about hanging a baby on one’s body, using a bit of cloth, is now staggering. (100,050,000 hits on a “google” search) And the evidence seems to be overwhelmingly in favor of the practice.
Advantages for Baby
Among the benefits of attaching one’s offspring to one’s body are a demonstrated organization of the infant’s systems. According to the baby-wearing guru, Dr. Sears (AskDrSears.com) the rhythmic sensations of the carrier person conducting his/her daily activities helps the infant’s body to learn how to balance, manage its temperature and organize its brain so as to be that much further ahead that much sooner. It has also been fairly well documented that the stimulation a child receives from its environment is richer, allowing for earlier brain development and better social skills. It appears that, at least anecdotally, sling babies are less fussy and more content. (How many of us know instinctively that if a baby cries you pick it up to soothe it?)
A shortage of incubators in Bogotá, Columbia lead to some creative thinking and thus emerged the Kangaroo Mother Care program. This system of care, designed for preemies but recommended for all newborns, consists of skin-to-skin contact for the caregiver and infant as well as exclusive breast-feeding. The infant and mother are not separated for any reason but rather treated as though the nine months after birth are an extension of the time in the womb. The success rate for this program with premature infants alone seems to be far in excess of anyone’s expectations. Once again, baby wearing seems to be the key ingredient as the warmth and stimulation of the mother’s body may be a big factor in saving the child’s life.
Probably the most impressive claim in favor of wearing your kid has to do with the recent recognition of something called “attachment disorder.” This malady is being recognized far more often recently and has to do with a child’s failure to establish the necessary bonds to its caregiver. The inhibited type of attachment disorder results in a child who is constantly on the alert for perceived danger. The disinhibited type is exhibited as a child who cannot discriminate between caregivers and strangers. While there are degrees to which a child can be affected, the signs for this problem include mistrust of authority figures, lack of empathy, cheating, lying, stealing, cruelty, and resistance to nurturing. The disorder is most dramatic in children who have been left to their own devices for the first, critical months of their lives.
It seems that when the child is attached physically, the child attaches emotionally as well. And, contrary to what one might think, the nurtured child is more outgoing in the end, not less.
Advantages for Parents
Dr. Sears (see above) makes the claim that physical contact with an infant increases the maternal output of progesterone. He claims that this leads to a closer bonding with the infant, lessening of postpartum depression and facilitating breastfeeding. Obviously, properly carrying your infant/toddler in a sling gives the caregiver more flexibility, as both hands are free. A properly constructed and worn sling can make carrying a child easier and more comfortable for the caregiver and easier on the caregiver’s body. It is probable that baby wearing allows the father to bond with his infant more closely than might otherwise happen. (Slings can also be made with “manly” fabrics as most guys might have a problem with baby ducks or brocade)
Types of slings/carriers/costs
There are “pouch” slings, “moby” slings, “maya” slings, “ring” slings, “ergonomic” carriers, “hotslings”, padded slings, crocheted slings, and slings with no names. They can range in price from $5 for a yard or so of fabric so that you can construct one yourself, to more than $100 for the fancier or flashier construction or fabric. There is a wealth of information on the Internet on constructing and wearing your sling. The choice is yours. According to my friend, Stephanie, the earth mother par excellence, a mommy needs a collection of slings to fit her moods and needs. The practice of baby wearing is now a fashion and lifestyle statement as evidenced by all the celebrities that are doing it.
Cautions
Use your head. One should not wear a sling that is wearing out at the bits that support the whole system. Caution should be used when learning different positions. Remember that curious toddlers have incredible reaches and take care to avoid endangering them by being too close to hurtful things. Consider the added bulk of the child when engaging in activities where size is a consideration (beware the revolving doors kids!) Take care when you grab that Starbuck’s or other hot beverage that your urchin cannot scald him/herself. Beware of the tail of some slings that dangles and could be a fire or strangulation hazard. There are some models of slings that may contribute to later spinal problems so be sure to consider this in your choice.
So, grandmas and grandpas, not only is baby wearing the “in” and “cool” thing, but there is evidence that it will make that already brilliant grandchild even smarter. Almost any sling is less expensive than that crib you want to buy for your spare room so the kid has a place to sleep. Those who sew can make a wealth of slings for very little money. Your son or daughter will be delighted with several as gifts. They can also look very fashionable as home accessories, dangling from the coat hooks near your door, virtually shouting, “I love my amazing grandchild!”
