Carrying babies - My expert opinion as an occupational therapist
I'm Melanie, a specialist occupational therapist for pediatrics and I've been dealing with the development of children for a very long time, 11 years to be precise. In my guest post today I am allowed to write about the perspective of wearing occupational therapy. My goal is to convince you of Kokadi and that, with professionalism from occupational therapy😊
Why is it important to carry a baby close to your body?
A woman is pregnant and is happily expecting her baby. Ideally, this woman will carry her baby under her heart for ten months full of anticipation. The baby hears the heartbeat and the voice. If this woman has become a mother, one of the most important tasks is to give the baby security. The connection and security that the baby knows from the belly should therefore remain so that it can develop the so-called basic trust.
Carrying Kokadi with a wide variety of carrying styles can play a major role in this. The baby needs the closeness of its reference persons in order to feel completely safe and secure. The Moro reflex, an early childhood response, serves to protect the child as well as ensure its survival. In the event of danger, the baby can "claw" at its mother through the Moro reflex. This is triggered by external stimuli such as a sudden change in the position of the body/head, sudden loud noises or e.g. bright light. In the first phase of the Moro reaction, the baby opens its arms and legs outwards. In the second phase, arms and legs bend again and the clinging reflex occurs! Now the gripping reflex on the hands and feet comes into play. The palmar reflex (grasp reflex on the hands) and the plantar reflex (grasp reflex on the feet) enable the baby to cling to mom or dad. Two reflexes that are purely intended to ensure survival. However, when babies are in a carrier close to mum or dad, they feel safe. Safe and secure! The closeness calms a baby and promotes bonding with the parent. Babies are then calmer and cry less. They are therefore less often on "alert". So wearing reduces stress and tension. The explanation for this is very simple. If the Moro reflex is triggered, the baby's blue light is switched on internally and the siren goes off!!! Figuratively speaking really like a fire station. The emergency call goes off and all the alarm bells go off, stress! If this happens over and over again, the baby is simply too tense, feels alone and insecure. It cannot come to rest, there is a lack of restful sleep, which is extremely important during this time in order to grow healthily! The stress hormones keep spiking up and the baby has come out of the protected shell in the mother's womb and into an unknown and insecure world. Just imagine! Birth is also stressful for a baby. So it is all the more important to give the baby the protected cover even after birth. Mama's and Papa's can do this wonderfully by carrying a baby very close to the body of the caregiver. If the carrier is perfectly adjusted, you can avoid sudden changes in the position of the baby's body and head. The fear that a baby will be spoiled because it is carried is completely unfounded. Without full parental care, however, a baby may not survive at all in the first few months of life. I don't want to go into detail about this. If you want to know more, there are studies where you can find out more!
An advantage of using a stretcher is that you have your hands free and are much more mobile. Imagine you are going shopping. It's more relaxed to carry your baby in the carrier. So you can push the shopping cart, browse for groceries and your baby enjoys being close to you instead of staring at the ceiling in the Maxi Cosi. It can cuddle with mum or dad and you do things that you have to do anyway. It is also possible to communicate much more with your child. Your child sees the world from a different perspective and learns something new every day through many environmental impressions. The emotional bond between you and the baby increases. For example, there are special jackets for autumn and winter that allow you to carry your baby even on cooler days! Just see what you like!
How does carrying promote your baby's motor skills?
The rumor "WEARING DAMAGE BABY'S POSTURE" is to be viewed critically. The baby's spine has a natural curve. Even in the womb, the baby moves and initiates the first movements. This ensures the first muscle activities and is therefore the right way to physiological movement. This includes balance. In the first few months of life, muscles gradually form. If you carry your baby, it also perceives the rhythm of your gait. This also trains the balance system as the baby practices compensatory movements. The muscles that form then allow for the spinal shape of an adult. You should therefore make sure that you put it on correctly in the Kokadi carrier. This is how you support the natural development of your baby. A baby carrier prevents hip damage. Your child sits in the carrier with his legs apart, the so-called "spread squat position". Even newborns can spend a surprisingly long time in the spread-squat position and feel comfortable doing so.
Short Summary:
From birth, a baby is equipped with early childhood reactions that are intended to ensure its survival. Some of these make him DEFINITELY describe as a baby boy!
The Moro reflex, which in its second phase of the reaction is called the clinging reflex. In addition, the gripping reflex on hands and feet. To put it bluntly, babies are not CUDDLING babies, they are definitely CARRYING babies! Carrying it supports the integration of the Moro reflex, the development of basic trust, perception and balance!
In conclusion, carrying babies is the most natural way to offer a baby closeness and security. So grab a Kokadi stretcher, get comprehensive advice from the team and enjoy. no YOU enjoy it together! This is just so valuable for both of you!
Your Melli from the family account Ergoling
PS You're welcome to visit me https://melaniewunderling.de or on Instagram under Ergoling! I look forward to accompanying you on your journey with your child! I am also happy to answer any questions!
