Sling On! Babies Thrive When You Wear Them
By Dr. Melanie Smith
I recently attended the Kansas City Birth Network’s first annual conference that focused on issues surrounding and supporting the Mother Friendly Childbirth Initiative. Along with learning so much about supporting pregnant moms with massage, aromatherapy and good nutrition, working to understand and prevent “late pre-term births”, and understanding how evidenced-based care really supports natural childbirth (both in the hospital and at home), I was astounded and thrilled at the number of women present at the conference WEARING their babies. I have never been in a room with more pregnant bellies and small babies in my life. Many cringe at the thought of a lecture hall full of babies – squawking, squealing, crying babies. But that isn’t what took place. Babies were peacefully sleeping in the slings their mothers carried them in. They were nursing in their slings. Mothers with older babies stood at the back, swaying back and forth while carrying the baby face out to absorb their surroundings or on their backs when they needed more “room” in front to take notes. Baby wearing, I learned, is an art that when done correctly helps a parent bond with their child in a very profound way.
I wore my youngest two babies in a sling, but more often when we were on a walk or other outing – not so much around the house or in social situations. For me, it served the purpose of having two free hands for two of my older children when having to cross streets or stay close in a crowd. In retrospect – and now knowing what I do about infant development and the energetic connection between people (especially family members) – I wish I had “worn” all of my children as a part of daily life. Dr. Barry Sears, a well-known baby rearing expert and author, has great information on his website about the benefits of baby wearing. He too, discovered baby wearing after having several children and was able to correlate some very positive things regarding infant development and wearing the baby. Here are some of the things he’s found: Sling babies cry less, learn more, are more organized and develop an understanding of human behaviors and patterns sooner than their non-sling counterparts.
I’ve often stated to parents that although a baby is born after 9 months of gestation, really they’re not done preparing for the outside world – they just run out of room to grow and develop inside mom. Animals in the wild are much more mobile than humans right after birth. A giraffe, for example, can stand and walk moments after birth. So can an elephant. (Don’t believe me? Watch it!) The giraffe gets to grow for about 460 days inside its mother and the elephant for 22 months while human gestation is only about 280 days or 40 weeks. Unlike the giraffe or elephant, we have no predators to run from at birth so that’s not a skill required upon worldly entry for survival. Considering it typically takes close to a year after birth for human babies to move on two feet, it goes to show just how much early development takes place in humans OUTSIDE the womb that other species benefit from INSIDE. Just because baby has left the uterus doesn’t mean he or she is no longer in need of constant connection with a provider and protector – in fact, it’s essential. A quote from Dr. Sears’ website: “The womb lasts eighteen months: Nine months inside mother, and nine months outside.” What better “womb” to provide our newborns with than the cozy familiar environment that the sling provides?!
For some fun places to learn and shop for baby slings try Rockin Baby Sling, Happybottomus or The Sling Station. There are many different styles and materials to choose from!
One caveat: wearing your child in a sling safely is as important as strapping your child safely in their secure car seat. Recent press over injuries from the Consumer Products Safety Commission has created some buzz over baby wearing.
Remember, like all things with children and babies… follow rules, guidelines and instructions to ensure the best results for all. From a chiropractic standpoint it is essential to wear your babies safely too… their little spines are vulnerable to injury if not handled with care.
