Wearing a Baby Carrier

As a Certified Postpartum Doula I highly recommend buying a baby carrier. It’s a MUST, a lifesaver! It’s very cosy and you will be able to kiss your baby's head too. Besides that it has a lot of advantages. 


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It’s a great  way of soothing your baby. Have you seen partners carrying the baby around all day? With the baby carrier you have your hands free. Besides that, it’s good for bonding,
Your voice, smell, body heat, sound of your breathing and heart rate are familiar factors for your little one. They give the baby a comfort and a calming feeling. Moreover, carrying the baby promotes the motor development and the natural posture of your child. Rocking has a positive influence on the immature nervous system. Babies grow from being touched and carried. The brains of a newborn grow because the nerve cells connect and form synapse. 

The more you carry the baby the more oxytocin becomes available between you and the baby. Oxytocin has a preventive effect on Postpartum depression. 

• Babies cry less, that’s important so they don’t lose energy to grow and to develop. 
• It’s also a great way to see if your baby needs to be fed because he’s so close to you. You get to know your baby so much better. 

Besides that you have your hands free to drink or eat something, folding the laundry or helping your other child. 

When to use it:

Always but especially when;

1. Baby is fussy. Likely the end of the day or during the night. 

          If at the end of the day the baby has had too much stimuli or during            the night if the baby has gas problems. Newborn intestines are still              vulnerable & developing. 

1. If after feeding and interacting with the baby, he still doesn’t want to sleep, put on  the carrier and within a wink the baby will be asleep in it. 
2. When you go out for a walk or meeting friends.

What kind of baby carrier do you need?

There are many on the market. Look for a nice cotton one which is breathable and is washable. Some are for outside use too. Some you can use when babies are smaller already others when they are around 7-8 pounds. 
For example:

• The Baby K’tan
• Nesting Days Newborn
• Solly Baby wrap
• Ring Sling
• Moby Wrap
• Baby Bjorn
• Ergo Baby

Choose a system which adapts to the baby:
Newborns (the first six to eight weeks), the entire body and head must be well supported. Therefore it’s recommended to carry the baby horizontally. 
Make sure your baby sits in the natural “frog position”. Legs are in the pocket of the fabric. Preferably choose a “soft” carrying system where you can easily adjust the carrying system to the baby and the parent. Picture 1.
When the baby begins stretching his legs, then carries him upright, legs are in an “M” position outside of the pocket of the fabric. Baby shouldn’t stretch its back too much. Picture 2.

Comfort:
There should be little weight on babies' back & shoulders. The best method is to divide the baby's weight. The broader the support the better. The carrying system can also best be adapted to the parents body. If you both want to use the system, make sure it can be easily adjusted according to the user.