How to properly and safely carry a baby in a sling

Every year, the attitude towards motherhood is changing more and more. A modern mother is not about borscht, diapers, cleaning and walking in a stroller. Moms, though, can be mobile, meet friends, travel to exhibitions and have time to get to work. In this situation, a sling becomes an indispensable assistant. It is not only an incredibly convenient device for transporting a child. Psychologists say that the regular wearing of a baby in a sling fulfills his basic needs for bodily contact with his mother. The only thing, when using a sling, you need to strictly observe safety precautions, and carefully monitor the position of the baby.

The main risks of using a sling

You can carry your baby in a sling from birth. This is great for hiking, commuting, and even regular housework. Many babies fall asleep only in the arms of their mother, and wake up immediately as soon as they are transferred to the crib. In such situations

sling becomes a lifesaver. By "hanging" the baby on herself, the mother can cook food, iron the diapers and even vacuum.

At the same time, experts remind that the main danger of a sling is strangulation. Due to the fact that the child is closely pressed to the mother, he may simply not have enough oxygen. For strangulation, the baby does not even have to "bury his nose" in her mother's chest. It is enough that the child's head is in a closed space, where there will be no fresh air flow. The risk increases for premature and “low birthweight” babies, as well as if the baby has a runny nose.

The second dangerous moment is the incorrect position of the child in the sling. Many mothers "tie" the child to themselves so that they feel comfortable. In this case, the peculiarities of the structure of the baby's body are often not taken into account. Because of this, the child may develop hip dysplasia (especially if worn incorrectly for a long time).

Basic principles of wearing a sling

To minimize the risk of child suffocation, the American Mayo Clinic (Mayo Clinic) moms are advised to adhere to simple recommendations:

• Before using the sling, check that the weight of the child is correct for the type of carrier. For newborn babies, experts advise using a sling with rings, but for babies from six months old, a sling scarf or a may sling is suitable.
• after placing the baby in the sling, make sure that his nose is not covered by anything, the face is turned to the side and nothing prevents the flow of fresh air
• check regularly if you can see the child's face; pay attention to the fact that the baby's chin is not pressed against his chest

International Institute for Hip Dysplasia gives his recommendations on the correct positioning of the baby in the sling. Basic rule: in the carrier, the child should be in the same position as in the mother's arms. From birth to one and a half to two months, the "cradle" position is considered optimal (the baby lies in horizontal position, the butt is above the head, the child's body is slightly curved, the legs are crossed in position of the embryo).

As soon as the child begins to hold the head, it can be positioned vertically in the sling. In this case, be sure to pay attention to the position of the legs. Up to 3-4 months of life, the so-called M-position, or the frog pose, will be relevant for a child. This is the position of the body when the baby's knees are raised above the priests, and the location of both legs generally resembles the letter "M". The M-position in the sling is the most physiological for the baby, and in addition, it works great as a prevention of hip dysplasia.

CARRY rule for wearing in a sling

Australian Breastfeeding Association invites beginners to adhere to the CARRY rule. It is very easy to remember, because the basic principles of safely carrying a baby in a sling correspond to the first letters of this word:

C (careful: carefully) - when carrying a baby in a sling, be extremely careful and do not overdo it in terms of physical activity. When you bend over and even squat, your center of gravity shifts. The child at this time is not protected by anything other than a piece of cloth, which means that the risk of injury increases.

A (airflow: air flow) - you should constantly see the baby's face, nothing should cover it, the baby's chin should not be pressed against the chest ⠀

R (ride high: wear high) - make sure that the baby is at chest level, and do not let the winding slip. The child should not "hang" on your stomach or hips

R (right fit: full match) - make sure your sling is perfect suitable for a child by weight and age. Newborn babies should not be placed in a may-sling, and a child at six months will be uncomfortable in an infant sling with rings.

Y (your instinct: your instinct) - rely on your instinct and inner feelings. The position of the child in the sling should ideally mimic his position in the arms. Please note that it should be convenient not only for you, but also for the child. If the baby crawls, groans and turns, it means that he is uncomfortable.

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