Lots of Slings at Friendly Village

1. A baby's spine is placed in a compromising position in many of today's popular carriers. If the carrier positions the infant upright, with legs hanging down and support at the base of the child's spine, it puts undue stress on the spine causing a condition called spondylolisthesis, and compromises developing curves in the spine.

2. When a baby wants to be more upright to see the world around him (around 4- 5 months of age), the carrier should allow him to sit cross- legged, so his weight is dissipated through his legs and hips, as opposed to the style that has his legs hanging down, where again the young spine has to bear the entire weight and can cut into the baby's circulation by holding his legs apart in a bowlegged manner during the important early months when the pelvis is soft and forming. (R. Casses, D.C.)

3. The sling provides constant pressure, motion, pleasure, warmth, security and sound similar to the womb that the newborns nervous system requires. Vestibular input has a direct effect on the system for arousal in the nervous system. As a consequence of this most important connection between movement and the reticular system, the movements of the caregiver's body can help the baby maintain that nice quiet alert state for learning and allow the baby to drift into a fitful sleep when necessary. A baby who is worn for prolonged periods during the day tends to be in either the quiet alert state or in a light or deep sleep, seldom in a state of distress. (Roley 1991)

4. The vestibular system also is responsible for equilibrium (balance) and righting reactions (trunk and head control relative to the pull of gravity). A baby who is carried for prolonged periods tends to develop good tone in the neck and trunk and be able to adjust their posture nicely in different positions once they are self mobile. While walking would not be expected to occur more quickly, you could expect that the child would obtain sitting balance and transitional movements between positions such as from sitting to standing more rapidly. Once walking, their balance would be enhanced.

5. A baby is born in a state of physiological flexion. They are literally curled in a ball and not at all comfortable if you try to straighten -them out. The sling lends itself to holding a baby in this flexed position. Movement stimulates the baby's ability to. pull out of this little ball into extension. The very act of carrying the infant helps the infant to pull out of the flexion it is held comfortably in. In fact the muscle tone in the neck and back is greatly enhanced in babies who are worn.

6. Swaddling an infant and putting it in a cradle works but it lacks a third and most critical ingredient, that of letting the infant know that it is in the hands of the person who nourishes it both physically and emotionally. An infant who cannot feel or see or hear its caregiver has more stress hormones circulating through its central nervous system. This causes the baby to cry. Stress irritates the immature digestive system causing baby to spit up and increases diaper rashes. Being touched and carried has a positive effect on the digestive system. (Montegue, 1971)

7. The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder has a shoulder pillow rather than straps over the parent's shoulders. This is especially important for a nursing mom because the straps can restrict circulation in a nursing mother's engorged chest tissue which can increase the incidence of breast infections. Also the sling allows mom to nurse more on demand because the baby is right next to mom. This also reduces breast infections. (1988 Study U.C.L.A. Lactation Dept.)

8. With a conventional baby carrier (front & back type carriers) the weight is carried on the parent's shoulder. This puts a strain on the neck, shoulders, and lower back. With a sling, a child can easily be carried until three years old on the hip. The weight is evenly distributed across the shoulder, back and hip.

9. When carrying a child on the hip, the parent does not have to thrust the hip out to hold the baby up; the carrier holds the child up and the parent can stand straight upright for better posture. The carrier can also be worn on the opposite shoulder to share the load.

Health Advantages of Wearing Your Baby