 | |||
| I can't take credit for any of the images in this post, and I don't know who made this one. It's a pretty great comparison though! |
1. Over-stimulation
When a baby is facing outward he is unable to turn away from stimulus.
According to Dr. Evelin Kirkilionis: "Infants in outward-facing orientations can’t turn away from surrounding stimuli. They can't turn inward toward a parent's body if stimuli become overwhelming. In this position the baby cannot make eye contact with his or her parent to evaluate facial expressions, social cues, and so forth to make assessment of the situation. Only choose a baby carrier that allows your child to face you ... never out. There are too many events going on around your baby. A baby has no way to exclude himself from the environment by turning his head away and towards you. Healthy sleep is difficult for a baby who is facing outward. I am not a supporter of the outward facing method of carrying a child."
From - A Baby Wants To Be Carried by Dr. Eveline Kirkilionis. Dr. Kirkilionis is a human development specialist who has researched babywearing since 1985
2. Poor support for Baby
In carriers like the Baby Bjorn the baby dangles by his crotch which pinches nerves and arteries in the legs and creates pressure points in the spine (and if the baby is male he is putting all his weight on his testicles -- ouch!). Babies should sit in a pocket of fabric made by the carrier and their knees should be inline or above their bum.Examples of good support
(Beco, Patapum, Ergo)
Examples of bad support
(Baby Bjorn, Snugli)
3. Strain on mother
Forward-facing throws off the mother's center of gravity. The baby is supported by the mother's shoulders which pulls on her back, which is painful and tiring.
However...
If the baby is properly supported, it is okay to have him facing outward for a short period of time. A good front-facing position is the kangaroo carry.
Baby carrier comparison chart
Article by Dr. Evelin Kirkilionis
I like your new carrier- I hadn't seen one like that before! Do you wear it much or mainly your hubby?
ReplyDeleteGreat article :)
ReplyDeleteNev
Just an opinion - but I would think that this position you posted at the bottom (kangaroo) would probably contradict what Dr. K said above - "never" doesn't really equate to "sometimes, for short periods". As someone who has used this position myself, I can honestly say it wasn't safe/secure or an easy position to "pop baby into" - and took baby into over stimulation pretty quickly. Yes, it meets the physiological correct positioning of the spine, but that is where the benefits of this position end. Just to point it out to your readers/audience - not meaning to spam or flame or cause any harm - just thinking of the babes, and really thinking that a "short period" to me and to you are different things, if you know what I mean.
ReplyDeleteFor us, that "short period of time" is exactly how long it takes to vacuum. My babies have all preferred to be in my arms with their eyes on that loud, scary thing while I vacuum.
ReplyDeleteHi, Anonymous! I always welcome criticism! I think every parent needs to listen to their baby and do what's right for them as an individual. If the baby is okay with facing out around the house while properly supported then I see no problem with that. Again, it all depends on the individual baby :)
ReplyDelete