Simplicity at the heart of the carry
The birth of a baby is an emotional and physical moment of rare intensity. How can one not be amazed and astonished to have succeeded in creating such a perfect little being? He is finally here, in our arms. So tiny. After the tsunami of his arrival has passed, it is still common to suddenly ask a billion questions. Doubt sets in, insidiously. Will I be up to the task? Will I succeed in taking care of him? Which young parent has not felt suddenly crushed by the awareness of the responsibility that falls on them? Responsibility greatly amplified by the societal expectations to do well. Carrying is an excellent revealer of everything that can happen around parenting in terms of involvement and fear of doing wrong. Everyone carries. Yes, yes! When we talk about carrying, we often imagine a baby carrier, but in reality, the first and main carrying in everyday life is done by holding in the arms! Each parent has one or two functional arms, and every baby, at some point or another, needs to be handled, if only to be changed, everyone does it… Then indeed, various tools have been proposed throughout the evolution of the human species, initially rudimentary and increasingly refined. Depending on cultures and traditions, carrying a child can be encouraged, essential, or on the contrary poorly perceived or even discouraged. Sometimes carried swaddled, sometimes not, in more upright or more curled positions, vertical or horizontal, and so on… As soon as you search for information about carrying on the internet, it’s panic! You need to carry physically, with a sling, but beware if the knot is poorly tied, it’s bad for the baby, and if he’s dressed in footed pajamas, no, really, that’s not good… A non-physio baby carrier? But what an horror, it will ruin his spine… Among all this, let’s not forget the famous advice from Aunt Cunegonde, who reminds us that in her time, they didn’t bother with all this, and anyway, they didn’t die from it… and moreover, it will make a spoiled, arm-carrying baby. So, what do we do with babychou? Well, it depends… Primarily on him. Because let’s not forget that he is still the main interested party! Babies all have their own needs; some will love from the start having their little space and splashing on their mat, others, on the contrary, will only calm down when constantly carried by their parents. Neither of the two situations is abnormal, and especially in cases where the child needs more carrying than average, keep in mind that it won’t last forever. We don't know any 15-year-olds in good health who are still carried or pushed around. Birth remains a challenging stage for the newborn who comes from a very contained environment, where they floated in zero gravity in a liquid filtering most stimuli, and where they knew neither hunger, nor discomfort, nor pain. Some need a bit more time than others to acclimate and ask to be a bit more supported. On average, we observe that by around 3 months, most have passed this milestone and are starting to demand to go to the ground. And what about the parent then? Everyone also needs to find their balance in their relationship with the baby. Sometimes it's easier not to question oneself and to respond to the child's needs without thinking, knowing that it will pass. Sometimes it's more complicated to live through and we negotiate with them to find common ground, a compromise... In both cases, there is no rule. No "better" way. The ideal is always to do what suits us and to observe our child. And to accept that needs and responses can vary from day to day because we are not machines (and too bad for Aunt Cunegonde's good advice)! And what do we carry the baby in? Continuing along the same lines, flexibility is key. No study to date has demonstrated increased risks of injuries or malformations related to a so-called "non-physiological" carrying method practiced with a baby who has no underlying pathology. We recommend opting for physiological carrying for comfort reasons, but that's all. The perfect carry does not exist in real life, the only rules to follow are safety rules: carry the baby vertically, with clear airways, and ensuring they won't fall. These are the first objectives to achieve when carrying your little one; the rest is just a matter of comfort. We remind you that behind a pretty photo, there are sometimes many attempts and hundreds of other failed shots! As for baby clothes, it's a matter of common sense: soft and comfortable clothes (who would take a nap in a wedding dress or do yoga in skinny jeans? No one? Then the same applies to baby, ditch the frilly dress and tight pants). And if the pajamas start to be too short and pull on the feet, just change to a bigger size. In short, it's about bringing simplicity back into the equation. Does the baby need to be carried? Let's carry them, as much as necessary for everyone to be satisfied. Does the baby prefer to be laid down? Let's lay them down. The tool suits us and makes our life easier? As long as it respects safety, everything is perfect. Being a parent is undoubtedly the most complex task of our lives, the one that will crystallize all our energy, all our thoughts, and above all our anxieties, for many (decades) years. It is always easy to criticize and judge others' ways of doing things, and whatever we do with our children, it will never be enough! So as long as we are going to mess up, might as well do it wholeheartedly with something that seemed right to us. And incidentally, to build oneself with perfect parents, but what pressure for our children! Carrying in a sling is above all the pleasure of contact with your little one, creating an indestructible bond. No matter the tool or the beauty of the gesture, no one will judge anyone for how well they manage to use a wrap! What matters are the desire, the needs, and that it helps facilitate daily life by reducing tears.
Which material should I choose for my scarf?
In a more supportive and breathable fabric? In a more enveloping knit but less durable? Preferably basic, easy-to-care-for cotton or a firmer linen? Or maybe a bit of viscose to smooth everything out and add a little breeze of freshness? Here you are lost in the jungle of babywearing and the many choices available to you. Need help understanding better? We offer a small article to review the commonly used materials in baby carrier manufacturing and their impact on use. 1 – Fabric or knit? The very first notion to know, the most important, is the distinction between fabrics and knits. Did you think that all wraps were just large pieces of fabric, almost identical? Actually, there are three models divided into two main categories: woven and knitted, with or without elastane! Knowing which category your item belongs to significantly impacts how you will use it! Knit is made from a single yarn, usually cotton, knitted. Of course, not with grandma’s needles: an industrial knitting machine is used. This results in a fabric that is more or less stretchable: take your T-shirt, for example, it’s a knit. Knits entirely made of cotton have a stretch without memory: when you stretch the fabric, it remains deformed afterward. In babywearing, this fabric is pleasant for carrying a newborn but often very little durable: as the baby grows and gains weight, the knit stretches and the child is poorly supported inside, making installation uncomfortable. The thinner the knit, the less supportive it is, if your wrap is so thin that it’s transparent, it’s rather a bad sign for its durability. If the composition label is inaccessible, you can recognize these materials by their behavior: stiff when stretched lengthwise, rather soft and slightly deformed widthwise. Note that the instructions for wraps sold with these wraps often do not match their actual use and suggest impractical knots (notably the "basic knot" style, which is performed entirely before placing the child, but can only be offered with knits containing elastane in combination with cotton). Knits containing a bit of elastane or spandex in addition to cotton (around 5% generally) benefit from a shape memory that allows the fabric to return to its original shape after stretching. These are much more dynamic knits and are therefore more supportive. that their counterparts without elastic. If we want to play on semantics, we can talk about elastic stretchy wrap in addition to extensible. The obtained answer allows the wrap to be used for several months, the actual durability then depends on its width and density, on average we are between 4-6 months and 12-18 months. Knitted Armor Knitted wraps all require 2 to 3 layers of support materials on the baby's back to be safe: simple layer knots like a kangaroo or a crossed-wrapped swaddle with non-deployed panels are not suitable. In most cases, their use for back-carrying is also discouraged. The fabrics are made on a loom, with several warp and weft threads. The weaving used in carrying is what is called twill-weave. We spare you the technical details; basically, when you take a piece of cloth (e.g., a dish towel), it is very stiff when pulled along its length and width, but very stretchable diagonally with a tendency to deform (see the linen pants that seem to grow 4 sizes after 10 minutes of walking? This is due to the deformation of the fabric!). We do not use fabric for making wraps because the rigidity along the lengths tends to cut into the edges and the deformation diagonally is not optimal for providing good support to the baby. It would be safer but less comfortable. The broken twill is less 'dry' in length and width, and elastic diagonally (see for knits if you followed closely: stretchable but with a shape memory that offers more resistance). For example, jeans are made with twill weaving (not broken, but it’s similar!) Woven wraps are very durable, they can withstand traction forces of over 700kg without flinching (Note: if your baby reaches this weight: consult!). A single layer is enough to provide good support for your little one, which especially allows for kangaroo knots. Woven Fabric Armor Jacquard Woven Armor Cross Twill Woven Armor 2 – So, what is better? Is everyone still with me? Let’s continue! The choice between knit or fabric is mainly subjective: carrying is primarily a matter of sensations! Knits provide sensations extremely enveloping, especially those with elastane that give a true second skin effect. You become one with your baby! They are less durable than fabrics but are also less expensive: this can allow at a lower cost to first see if you enjoy carrying before investing in another system that will go further. It is not uncommon to start the first weeks with a sling, then switch to a mei-tai or preformed carrier when the baby grows and/or when you want to carry him on your back with less technical setups. On the other hand, contrary to popular ideas, they are often more technical to handle: when you pull on the material, it deforms before tightening, and it only tightens if you pull in the right direction! The lack of feedback can sometimes challenge a beginner who will have difficulty assessing if their adjustments are correct. Another negative point to consider: they are warm scarves! 3 layers of fabric + the synthetic elastane: beyond 20-25°C, this can become quite uncomfortable! Finally, elastane is a material that has a limited lifespan. Even (and especially) useless in a closet, the sling wears out: do you see the old pair of socks forgotten in a drawer? the elastic that makes CRRRRCCCRCRRRR and breaks when you pull on it? Same thing. At least the sling does not tear and remains safe, but it becomes stiff and much less comfortable. So avoid it occasionally. Fabrics are, on the other hand, very durable and can be used to carry multiple children (or even their own children later on!). The weaving is generally more breathable than knitting, which needs to be very dense to be supportive, and since it is only used in one layer, it is perfectly usable even in the summer (see the article on summer carrying). Woven scarves suffer from a poor reputation of being difficult to handle and a bit stiff: as you will understand, this is not the case! They offer a very pedagogical feedback that allows you to feel the adjustments well, and the signs of good quality are soft and flexible from the first uses. 3 – What about the material? Beyond the notions of yarn work, the composition of the yarn also matters: cotton, linen, hemp, wool, silk, bamboo viscose… You will not get the same result depending on the chosen material! Classically, cotton remains the most used fiber: versatile, soft, lightweight, and easy to wash, it has the ideal characteristics! Linen and hemp are regularly mentioned for summer: if they are indeed cooler, their fibers are also more rigid. This makes the sling a bit stiffer and less easy to adjust. With some exceptions, baby carriers containing linen or hemp are generally intended for heavier toddlers and who stand well enough for their musculature to compensate for less precise adjustments, they are more supportive That is to say, with a thickness equal to cotton, you will feel less the weight of your child with. Silk and wool are materials that are thermoregulators: they keep you warm in winter but stay cool in summer. They are often slightly more elastic than cotton and very pleasant if you can tolerate the somewhat "prickly" side of wool (even if high-quality wools are very soft and have nothing to do with the sweaters and balaclavas that traumatized us as children!). The main downside remains their more delicate maintenance, to be avoided with a baby who regurgitates a lot! Viscose are synthetic materials but generally cool and very fluid. They give scarves great flexibility and are highly appreciated in combination with cotton for carrying very young children and for summer. 4 – Where are the Neobulle ranges located? My sling My sling, My cocoon and My neo are carrying systems made of knitted: they are therefore stretchable and enveloping, designed for carrying in the first year of the baby.My sling is sewn in 100% cotton knit but features a high density that despite being used in a single layer provides quite surprising support! My cocoon My cocoon is made of a blend of bamboo viscose and elastane, making it a stretchy scarf. Bamboo largely reduces overheating associated with the three layers it requires, making it ideal for front carrying only. My Neo My Neo features an apron made of an innovative 3D knit flexible but very supportive. Écharpe sergé brisé coton The vast majority of other ranges are made of cotton either woven with a broken serge weave or jacquard weave: jacquard is a much more complex technique that creates a pattern and is therefore more aesthetic. The resulting fabric is also more flexible, softer, and more pleasant to handle and adjust. Écharpe seacell Finally, the slings and classic range scarves feature a combination of cotton and seaweed viscose, which gives them a great feeling of freshness and more fluidity. All that's left is to choose the colors, and this time: we can't help you anymore!!!!
The maintenance of strollers
You've just bought a baby carrier and the care instructions are as obscure as hieroglyphics? Is your sling your only asset for getting your baby to nap, and you don't dare wash it for fear of making a mistake (but you really have to)? This article is for you! We'll give you all our little tips for pampering your equipment.
Taking a baby on a trip
Dreaming of adventure, travel, hopping into a van for a road trip all around Europe... But your family has just grown and you're not quite sure how to reconcile the two. What if carrying gear was a key element to making your project happen? The quest for minimal clutter Young parents know this: the volume of equipment to bring when you have a baby is ! Whether for a short weekend or a longer trip, renting the necessary semi-trailer to carry the "just in case" gear is generally not part of the plan. So begins the painful sorting process. Some choices are simple, but others are more tricky: the maxi stroller is very comfortable for the baby but takes the space of 3 suitcases. Meaning: you'll have to do without, but you'll need to figure out how, without sacrificing everyone’s comfort. This is where the baby carrier finds its first advantage: Flexible, compact, and lightweight, it easily slips between two bags and takes up almost no space. Remember a weekend in the mountains with 3 children and a dog in a tiny car packed to the brim, where the baby carrier was folded as a blanket over the baby and the sling was worn as a snood around my neck (the stroller, on the other hand, wouldn't fit!). Note that space saving is only effective if you opt for physiological baby carriers: large hiking backpacks with frames, besides being very uncomfortable, don't fold well and also take up a huge volume! A little breeze of freedom Who hasn't found themselves stuck in front of a huge staircase, a cobbled street, or a monument visit where stroller access is prohibited? The baby carrier allows you to face all unforeseen obstacles of your trip without headaches. Baby follows you everywhere, regardless of the terrain! Fancy a spontaneous hike on nearby paths? Just clip it on and go! An inaccessible place for the stroller? No need for a last-minute backup plan, nor the risk of theft if you leave the stroller in designated space. Whether for a day at the beach or a sightseeing tour, thanks to carrying you remain free to move around and can travel anywhere without the risk of getting stuck. Travel with confidence in transportation A suitcase in one hand, the stroller to fold in the other, the crying baby to manage in the middle, and the crowd getting impatient behind (without help, of course, that would be too simple)... Does this situation sound familiar to you? It’s the one that often occurs when trying to take the train with your baby. Sometimes, there are also difficulties when taking the plane, between the oversized stroller that must go in the hold or takes the place of another carry-on bag, and the security checks and waiting time before boarding to manage. Seated in a carrier, your child is secured during various handling procedures, you have free hands to manage a possibly fussy baby, and you can also sneak through the aisles more easily if they need to be rocked. The globetrotting baby For the baby, there are also many advantages to traveling in a carrier! Environmental changes can sometimes be more difficult for some little ones to handle: away from home, they can become nervous, anxious, have more difficulty falling asleep, and their routines and references are disrupted. This is all the more true as the transit places can be noisy and overwhelming (crowds, noise, lights...). Snuggled against you, they are reassured and secured and cope better with the various upheavals. Since tourist sites are often very popular, it’s not uncommon to find yourself right in the middle of a crowd. In a stroller, the child is at knee height of the people, even if you are careful they can be jostled, burned by cigarettes held downward, and the sight of legs pressing around them is clearly not the most pleasant. Snuggled against you, they will feel less overwhelmed by the crowd, and they can also enjoy the visits and panoramic views. For older children, they will also appreciate being able to rest a bit when they are tired. The ideal baby carrier for the little budding adventurer Now that the basics are covered: which carrying system should we put in our travel bag? If you have to choose only one, a preformed carrier is probably the most versatile because it combines both comfort with good weight distribution and the practical necessities of emergency or outdoor setups. It is easy to use for passing airport security or re-installing the baby in the middle of the train aisle upon arrival. Compact and lightweight, it also features a very low volume of bulk. Wrap, sling, and mei-tai They remain choice allies as well but will often need to combine with each other to handle all situations. Being very flexible, they easily slip to the bottom of a bag or between two suitcases and will be appreciated for a more cozy side with a very small one. All that remains is to wish you a good trip!
Carry the baby in the summer
The sun is settling in, summer is arriving, and with it the entirely legitimate question: "But if it's hot, will I still be able to carry my baby?" The answer is YES, but with some common sense practices, which we will take the time to detail below. 1 – Carrying and thermoregulation We all generally know that when it's cold, having your baby in close contact helps them warm up. We also know that skin-to-skin greatly helps the newborn regulate, especially in the first weeks of life. What is less known is that in hot weather, close contact also helps the toddler regulate, and thus suffer less from the heat! Whether it's 30, 40, or 50 degrees, your body is always at 37°C. Luckily, that’s the temperature babychou also needs to maintain internally! Close contact allows them to have a reference point to rely on, and will greatly help them spend less energy to regulate their internal temperature. Also, in a completely counterintuitive way, when it is very hot, it’s better to keep the baby on you than in a stroller, which is entirely made of synthetic padding. The temperature inside the stroller is often higher than the outside air, and additionally it does not help with thermoregulation and is therefore much more difficult for your little one's body to manage. A quick safety note: if your baby is in a bassinet during summer, using a swaddle to protect from the sun recreates an oven and should therefore be avoided! Tested and approved: even for the carrier who might think they will get too hot, after the first 10 slightly uncomfortable minutes, regulation then sets in and… ultimately it balances out! Did you know?In case of fever, skin-to-skin contact and carrying can help lower your child's temperature in addition to what the doctor has recommended (only if you yourself do not have 40°!) 2 – Choice of material Articles in the media have recently highlighted the danger of carrying wraps during heatwaves. These articles are incorrect: they do not differentiate between the various types of carrying systems available on the market and only discuss the most sold wraps in traditional stores, namely knitted wraps! Using a knitted wrap, especially one containing elastane (synthetic = heats up), will be indeed discouraged in hot weather: these wraps require 3 layers Material around the baby to ensure the safety of the installation, and you will indeed end up cooking a little past the 20-25 degrees mark! We also advise against systems that include padding on the seat, as is the case with some popular brands. Carrying scarves and woven slings are, on the other hand, entirely usable without presenting a risk of overheating for your little one: The fabric is always a bit less dense than a knit and is more breathable Being more supportive, one layer of material is sufficient to secure the installation In pre-made baby carrier ranges, we will especially appreciate those made with scarves fabrics that are more breathable than canvas ones. Asian baby carriers (Mei Tai) are also appreciated for their less enveloping aspect. In woven ranges, you will generally find cotton, which is a very pleasant natural material to wear in summer. You can potentially gain additional freshness by choosing blends of materials that include, for example, Seacell, which is a seaweed viscose that provides fluidity and a sensation of freshness to the scarf (note, it’s not air conditioning either!). Seacell "Azalée Rose" "Eucalyptus" sling P'tit Evo "Savane" 3 – Baby clothing Baby clothing in hot weather is generally very minimal: a small cotton bodysuit, or even just a diaper , and that's it! It is always recommended to keep a layer of fabric between your little one and yourself, ideally made of natural material (cotton, linen, hemp, etc.) : direct skin-to-skin contact makes you sweat and isn't the most pleasant. Bonus: don't hesitate to use a burp cloth at the neckline to avoid the "schloupsss" effect that can be quite unbearable when baby lifts their head and gets stuck by the sweat from your chest! Once outside, we gear up a bit more! Hat and sunglasses are mandatory, preferred over bibs and other sunshades that can be useful but hinder the child's head and offer less protection (plus increased risk of suffocation if too covering). The detail we always forget: beware of reflections from certain surfaces that can cause sunburn on the soles of the feet! You can choose to put on a pair of thin socks, use a bit of baby-friendly sunscreen, or simply cover the legs of your baby with a thin burp cloth. 4 – Choose the right time Common sense but it's always good to remind: avoid peak sun at 2 pm! Opt for walks in the morning or evening, preferably in the shade. Note: don't panic if you have to spend 3 minutes in the sun to cross the street! If it's really too hot and you have no urgent reasons, stay calm at home. 5 – Cool down during carrying Nothing very exotic here: it is recommended to take very regular breaks to hydrate your little one (reminder: for breastfeeding babies, water is not only unnecessary but potentially harmful: breast milk at the start of weaning has a composition close to rehydration solutions, and hydrates much better). You can help them better tolerate the heat by using a spray bottle (on the legs and arms, avoid the head!), by passing a cool washcloth, or by lightly humidifying their hat. Regularly check that everything is okay for your little one; if they turn very red, especially remove them from the carrier and offer them a drink. Avoid: putting an ice pack on your baby's back (yes, we've seen it before)... In short, as you understand, carrying your baby in summer is not only not a problem if the clothing and carrier system are well adapted, but it can also help them better manage the heat! Now all that's left is to enjoy!
Carrying your baby: is there a maximum duration?
a baby in a physiological position, curled up against his mother in an ecru mesh sling
A babywearing workshop, what is it used for?
a babywearing workshop, an instructor on her back with a baby, shows a mother and her child how to put on a baby sling.
The benefits of carrying in 8 points
1 - Already familiar sensations Baby spent 9 months in his mother's womb in total symbiosis. Rocked by movements and in a constant temperature. A true bubble of well-being ! Carrying allows a transition that is gentle because it provides continuity from pregnancy. Baby will rediscover sensations already experienced that can give him a feeling of safety and serenity: Warmth Rocking The familiar scent of his parent The voices of his parents Vibrations The physiological position Proximity Feeling contained It is therefore normal for baby to feel the need to be carried and in contact with his parents or attachment figures. 2 - Building attachment bonds What is attachment? It is the emotional bond that connects baby with his attachment figures. Most of the time, it is with his parents that the baby creates his first attachment bonds. Attachment with his baby develops throughout life and allows him to grow on different levels (relational, emotional, etc.). Baby will create the attachment bond with the people who most often care for him and meet his needs. This helps him feel secure and gain confidence in himself. This bond is naturally formed, but, for different reasons and situations, it can also take time to develop. For example : difficult delivery, premature birth, his personal history, life events…but it can happen even without complications. Do not hesitate to seek help from professionals around you if difficulties persist. And carrying in all this? Exactly! Carrying can positively contribute to building the attachment bond! Do not hesitate to carry baby to discover him and take the time to create and strengthen this bond. Feeling his baby, his skin, his smell, his well-being and his calm when he is carried against you are moments that will help you connect with him and feel more confident in your new parental role. "To detach well, the child must be able to attach well"Bernard Golse, child psychiatrist. 3- Fewer tears Why does my baby cry? Crying is the primary means of expression for the baby, so it is a matter of survival. Speech (or signs) comes only later. It is therefore normal for our baby to cry; he is expressing his needs: cuddles, food, drink, sleep, being changed... but also his emotions and feelings (cold, hot, pain…). A baby is biologically immature at birth and has a great need for proximity and contact with his attachment figures (most of the time their parents). Carrying will help soothe your child and make them feel secure. Baby will quickly calm down in carrying thanks to familiar sensations that will give them a sense of security. There will therefore be fewer tears and you will more easily know when they need something else. Some babies cry a lot and others less! Perhaps it will take you some time at first to learn to decode their cries... It is also important to trust yourself, you know your baby better than anyone else. So, in most cases, you will be able to understand them! If the crying persists and seems abnormal, do not hesitate to consult a health professional. Don’t remain isolated when faced with intense crying from your baby, pass the baton if you can, and if you are alone and it becomes too difficult, place your baby safely and go breathe and clear your mind in another room. It is normal to sometimes feel exhausted and overwhelmed by your baby’s cries. Sometimes, crying can also be a sign of digestive discomfort (often observed in the first months of a baby’s life), and carrying will help through massage (belly against belly), movement, warmth, and comfort. Evening is also more conducive to emotional release crying. Carrying will therefore help reduce crying. 4- Promotes Sleep Sleep is a particularly challenging issue for parents. “Is your baby sleeping through the night?” Yes, your baby is SLEEPING through the night. A child's sleep is not the same as an adult’s. For example, their biological clock is set at 25 hours at birth, and it is only later that it matures to 24 hours. Likewise, their sleep cycles are not the same as ours. Before your child can adopt the same sleep cycle as you, they will go through several stages during their early years. These stages will fluctuate and may include regression phases. As you understand, a child's sleep does not resemble ours, and therefore it is normal not to always understand their sleep needs. Carrying and sleep? In carrying, your child can fall asleep and stay awake as they wish. Carrying allows the baby to find their sleep rhythm and helps parents worry less. The feeling of security in carrying enables them to have peaceful sleep. Naps in carrying during the day do not hinder night sleep. Falling asleep will also be greatly facilitated, and you will be less exhausted when putting your child to sleep, and your baby will be soothed and secure. 5- Carrying & Breastfeeding If you have chosen to breastfeed, carrying will be your ally. Indeed, beyond a mode of feeding, it is a way of life you have chosen, and carrying will go in this direction. First of all, the proximity between mother and baby will promote the secretion of oxytocin: the hormone of breastfeeding and attachment. The mother will more easily recognize the signals of hunger because she will be more sensitive to them thanks to proximity. On-demand breastfeeding will thus be facilitated. The carried baby will find the same sensations as when at the breast (warmth, contact, heartbeat...). And will thus be able to gradually space out its feedings. In some cases, the baby can even be breastfed in the carrying device, which can be practical in certain daily situations or when the baby has strong demands (growth spurts, for example). Breastfeeding can be discreetly done in public thanks to the carrying solution. 6 - Promotes psychomotor development Close contact with a parent will allow the baby to develop its brain, which is under construction. Did you know? In one year, the size of a human baby's brain will almost double! Even though the human baby depends on its parent, it has several skills: sensory, emotional, motor... Carrying helps to stimulate its sensory skills already developed in the mother's womb (smell, sight, hearing...). These sensory experiences in contact with its environment will contribute favorably to its development, while being secure in its carrier. The baby actively participates in its carrying (in a physiological position) to hold onto its carrier during movements, changes of direction, etc., which helps it improve its sense of balance and exercise its tone in a developmental logic. For example, as a very young child, it will learn to hold its head, then its shoulders and back. As it grows, it will be among the first to participate in carrying activities (meals, leisure activities...). This is an opportunity to give it a different visual field and discover odors, colors, memorize gestures... Did you know? vision is the last sense to develop intrauterinely! At birth, the baby sees on average between 20 and 30 cm, the perfect distance to dive into the eyes of its carrier when the baby is carried! 7 - Advantage for the carrier Let's now focus on the carrier! What are the advantages of carrying? Having free hands: being able to go about your daily activities with the baby snugly against you! Practical in everyday life and even more so when you have several children to look after. Take more easily time for yourself: walks, outings, meals … without waiting for baby to finish his nap Strengthen the attachment bond with your baby and enhance your parenting skills This is the all-purpose tool! In the city… on a trail… in public transportation… on stairs…! Moreover, carrying tools take up very little space in a bag or the trunk of a car! Respond more quickly to baby’s needs thanks to close contact! This helps the parent observe their baby and learn to better understand him. Preserve your nape when carrying by holding at the right height (high and close against you) Reduces baby’s crying and thus promotes a decrease in stress/anxiety in parents! Supports breastfeeding. Protect your back and develop your muscles by evenly distributing the baby’s weight! For co-parents: experience some unique sensations of pregnancy. This is also a very good transition tool during adaptations: at daycare, with a childminder or grandparents because it provides the baby with landmarks and comfort. 8- A prevention tool Carrying is an excellent prevention tool against plagiocephaly (skull deformation, commonly called "flat head"). Indeed, with carrying, you avoid prolonged pressure on the skull. Be careful not to restrict the baby’s head movements with the carrier! When the baby’s head is free to move, he strengthens his neck and back muscles and quickly learns to turn and support his head. Carrying is also an excellent prevention against physiological gastroesophageal reflux, due to the upright position. It will also help babies suffering from pathological gastroesophageal reflux, which will be more relieved in a vertical position. Regarding digestion, carrying reduces discomfort (sometimes called "colic"), thanks to warmth, belly massage against belly, and the feeling of security it provides. From a motor perspective, the physiological position in the carrying solution is a very good way to promote the maturation of the baby’s hips. « What delights a child is the happiness in which he bathes; if you wish him well-being, work on making yourself happy », Boris CYRULNIK, neuropsychiatrist. Safety rules Discovered face, clear airways (the fabric reaches up to the nape of the neck) Physiological position: rounded back, knees raised higher than the hips, head aligned with the spine, hands near the face, respecting hip spacing. Snug fabric grip Exclusive vertical position Baby's belly against the caregiver Observe and monitor the baby (skin coloration, breathing, signs of well-being…) Appropriate clothing for the baby (keep in mind that a layer of fabric equals a layer of clothing) and the caregiver. Ensure proper hydration of the baby Adapt activities (no extreme sports) and do not carry if your alertness is altered (medications, psychoactive substances, drowsiness…)
Focus on the sling
Today's article is about the sling, otherwise known as "the scarf with rings" or even more commonly "the thing that's simpler than the scarf but yes, you can see it on the shoulder there." So, who is the sling for, what is it used for, what are the advantages and disadvantages? We'll give you all the details! What is a sling? The sling is a carrying system made up of a strip of fabric (the same as our baby slings) approximately 1.90m long by 0.70m wide , at one end of which 2 aluminum rings are sewn. To use the sling, you must first "assemble" it, as they say in the jargon, by passing the other end of the material through the two rings, then again in the other direction between the two rings (a bit like the double-buckle belts found in some sportswear). The main features of the sling The sling is put on a bit like a Miss France (or Mister Universe) sash, slung over the shoulder of the wearer , with the excess material hanging from the rings like a tie . The baby is placed vertically in the pocket thus created (like in a sling), and the adjustment is easily done with one hand by applying tension around the baby via the tie which comes out of the rings. Due to its configuration, the sling requires off-center carrying . In fact, on the wearer's torso, two elements must be positioned: the baby and the rings. If the baby is positioned in the center of the torso, there is no more room for the rings and this can lead to problems with the stability of the installation (the material near the rings is quite grouped and cannot encompass the baby's entire seat, stopping instead at mid-thigh instead of the hollow of the knee) and discomfort (it cannot be adjusted correctly because the baby ends up stuck to the rings). The choice of side depends on our laterality: the rings are most often installed on the predominant side because on the one hand it is the arm which will then be the freest (for eating, for example), and on the other hand we are generally more precise in adjusting with our dominant hand. For 95% of right-handers, the rings will be on the right. The situation for left-handers is more ambiguous and depends on how much we upset them when they were younger! The sling is a carrying system that has stood the test of time ; it can be used with a newborn as well as an older baby (in addition to a system that distributes the load better). It is particularly ideal when you need to carry a toddler who is tired of walking for a few minutes. What are the advantages of the sling? The sling is THE practical system par excellence! It does not drag on the ground during installation, can be easily adjusted and de-adjusted with one hand, can be set up in record speed , and requires very little handling . At the expert level (understand: not in the learning phase!), it is the only carrying system that can be installed directly with a baby in your arms without the need to put them down first (useful when they have FINALLY fallen asleep on you, weigh a dead donkey in your arms, but will wake up instantly as soon as they are in their bed). It also allows you to breastfeed while carrying without difficulty. This is the system that you put on in 2-2 for all the little daily carrying tasks , to go and get the mail, throw out the garbage, buy bread, do a quick little errand after getting out of the car, or even to take an older child to school or nursery (NB: at the expert level the sling can be perfectly installed while running after the older child who does not want to put their shoes where often for the others, you have to stay stopped while making the adjustments) but also when the baby is grumpy, wants to be held then no longer wants them... It's both a cocoon for baby and space-saving for the wearer. Taking up little space, it slips easily into the trunk, diaper bag, stroller tray, or around your neck as a scarf. Its off-center use makes it a great ally in everyday life: when baby is on his stomach, he takes up all your space and hinders your mobility, making it more difficult, for example, to pick up an object from the floor, empty the dishwasher, or just, more prosaically, to eat. Your little one is a little more open to the outside world and will more easily observe his environment, or what you show him. Bonus: the space freed up on your chest also allows older children to come and cuddle without their little brother or sister blocking the way. The disadvantages of the sling Since perfection is not of this world, carrying in a sling also has some disadvantages! Off-center carrying on one shoulder also means that the sling is not intended to be used for long periods of time. It is a model primarily designed for backup ! If you plan to go on long walks while carrying a baby, it is better to plan for another system as a complement, otherwise your back and neck may painfully remind you to be careful. We could compare baby carriers to pairs of shoes. The baby sling would be the equivalent of a pair of hiking boots, which you take the time to adjust properly and then walk for a long time without pain. The sling is the pair of flip-flops for babywearing , the shoes you put on "on the fly" to go out quickly without hurting your feet but in which you won't cover a long distance. The subtlety lies in the fact that most of the daily carrying times are ultimately short . No one puts on a scarf for 5 minutes, a sling yes. The estimated 5 minutes often turn into 1 hour (we always get caught!), it is better to have installed your baby in a sling than to keep him in your arms without any other support. The comparison of comfort is thus made not between the scarf and the sling but rather between the sling and the arms . We do at least worse in a way. Someone whispers in my earpiece that it would be enough to change shoulders each time you carry them to balance them: this would be like saying to write with your left hand to relieve your right wrist when you are right-handed, unless you are perfectly ambidextrous, no one does that (and even then, even ambidextrous people ultimately have a preferred side!). In a very hectic daily life with a toddler, we tend towards the easy option, namely always carrying on the usual side . Another small warning: its simplicity of use also paradoxically makes it a system that is sometimes complicated to understand. As with all other baby carriers, it is advisable to take the time to understand the mechanism of use and to take the time to learn how to use it . The main technicality consists of keeping the rings high on the shoulder during installation, the problems of rings "which descend" are often listed in the problems of use. This is entirely linked to the off-center configuration of the carrying: as soon as we start to position the baby in the center at the beginning of installation, this mechanically makes the rings descend when we try to shift the baby a little since we pull the sling with it. To overcome this, simply remember that we cannot work in front , we will make sure to pick up the baby as if we wanted to install him on the hip and move him as far away from the rings as possible when we sit him in the material. The adjustments then bring baby and rings closer together, so you must anticipate by being at the beginning a little further on the hip than what you want at the end. At the end of installation, the rings should be roughly at the height of your child's head . Don't hesitate to get help from an instructor to learn! In short, you will have understood, the sling is an everyday essential . If it generally needs to be supplemented by another baby carrier which distributes the load better in case of a walk, it is the hands-free kit par excellence which will delight you with its practicality and its relative simplicity of use.
