From birth, the baby needs closeness with his parents . This is an essential need that will help him develop and grow up happy and confident.
Physiological carrying is an ideal solution to meet this natural need for contact and comfort. But which carrying models are best suited to newborns? In this article, we will see together which carrying options are best suited to your young baby .
Why is babywearing essential for newborns?
Babywearing promotes the physical and emotional development of your baby . It helps recreate the reassuring environment of your womb by maintaining a caring proximity with the adult who is carrying.
Babywearing also promotes an ideal physiological posture that allows your baby to grow and develop safely, reducing the risk of malformation. Unlike some positions where the weight rests on the pelvis or crotch, a well-adjusted babywearing distributes the weight evenly and promotes muscle and bone development .
Carrying moments are also special moments between parent and child. The closeness helps build and maintain the special bond that unites you . This is especially true for dads! As a mother, you have already spent several months developing this bond inside you. Even if the dad spoke through your belly, it is important to help him weave an even stronger connection. For this, carrying is the ideal way.
Skin-to-skin contact , which is done with a suitable headband, is also a great way to be close to your baby. However, this method is not suitable for babywearing .
Skin-to-skin should be done sitting or lying down with the baby against your bare chest. But a skin-to-skin wrap is not a baby sling and should not serve that purpose. It is important to distinguish between the two options.
Recommended baby carriers for newborns
From birth: the sling for newborns
The newborn sling is a complementary carrying sling without knots or straps . Particularly appreciated by young parents for its ease of installation, it is made of fabric with two rings, allowing quick and easy adjustment .
It is an option that combines practicality and comfort, while offering an ideal physiological position for babies from 0 to 9 months .
Made from 100% organic cotton , this soft scarf is kind to your baby's skin and naturally elastic, which means there is no need to use elastane.
Its cotton composition also makes it very easy to wash: just a spin in the washing machine at 30°C and it will be like new! Be careful though, it is not recommended to use the machine spin cycle or the tumble dryer as this could damage the fabric fibres and relax them too much.
It is also very easy to carry thanks to its lightweight fabric that you just need to fold to slip into any bag, even the most compact!
With the Sling Scarf, it is easy to breastfeed discreetly . The fabric of the scarf hides your chest to guarantee your privacy and places baby in an ideal position for feeding.
To help you, we recap:
- Advantages: Quick installation, ideal for sling breastfeeding, can be used from birth, available in many colors.
- Tip: Make sure the fabric supports baby's head, back and legs well in an "M" position.
- Reminder: The Sling scarf is ideal for occasional carrying, at home or when traveling. However, it is not recommended to use it for several hours in a row without a break.
From two months: the double-band baby carrier without a knot
Many parents ask us about using the Duo baby carrier at birth. Reassured by the design of the Duo, whose two bands distribute the baby's weight evenly on the wearer's shoulders, they feel more confident than with a baby sling. This better weight distribution allows the baby to be carried for longer periods of time.
But be careful: the use of the Duo baby carrier is recommended from two months . This recommendation is based on the baby's growth and the condition of his muscles and bones at this age.
In the Sling, the baby's back is slightly curved, which follows its natural development. In the Duo, its back is almost straight and its head is a little less supported. Baby's legs, in an "M" shape in the Duo, are more spread apart than in a sling. You must therefore wait for the natural spacing of your baby's legs to be created before you can carry him comfortably with the knotless baby carrier.
It is important to follow the recommendations annotated on each baby carrier to avoid an unpleasant surprise. This could lead to discomfort and, in the worst case, to a malformation. But do not worry, if you follow our recommendations, there will be no problem for your children!
Best practices for safe and comfortable carrying from birth
No matter which method of carrying you choose, it is crucial to follow a few rules to ensure the well-being of your baby (and yours!) during carrying sessions. Here is a summary:
- Physiological posture: Make sure that the infant's back is slightly rounded, with the knees raised above the hips (in an "M" position). Bring up the top edge of the fabric until it covers the back of his neck and make sure the fabric is flat on his back.
- Clear airway: Your baby's head should always be visible and his chin should not be pressed to his chest. He should be able to breathe easily, even when he is against you.
- Weight and age adjustment: Check the specifications of the carrier or sling to ensure they fit your baby. Adjust the carrier over time, depending on your child's age and weight.
- Practice at home: Before going out for long periods, familiarize yourself at home with the different settings and positions to feel comfortable. With practice, it will be easier to position your baby correctly the first time.
Babywearing workshops to familiarize yourself with your baby carrier
At Studio Romeo, we have chosen to offer you an online babywearing workshop for any order. These workshops are carried out via video with our trained and certified babywearing instructor .
For 20 minutes, she explains how to install your baby carrier or baby sling, invites you to test the movements to correct yourself if necessary, and answers any questions you may have about carrying or motherhood.
The caring framework of these sessions aims to help you become familiar with carrying and to facilitate your understanding of this practice.
Do you have any doubts about the adjustment or size of your baby sling? Are you wondering if your baby is properly installed in the sling? Do you need advice on breastfeeding in a baby carrier? Don't hesitate to take advantage of this workshop to ask all your questions!
Babywearing: An Ideal Solution for Babies and Parents
Babywearing is a beneficial practice that strengthens the parent-child bond while providing convenience and a sense of comfort .
The method of carrying you choose depends on your needs and lifestyle, but also on the age and weight of your baby. At birth, we recommend opting for the sling. From two months, you can opt for other models, such as the Duo baby carrier, to carry your young baby.
From 0 to 2 years and over, there is bound to be a carrying solution suited to your child: take advantage of it!