Is hugging my baby going to "spoil" it?

Many pregnant women can confirm that when the baby is still in their belly, it stops kicking and seems calm when the pregnant woman is moving and walking, while on the other hand is moving vividly when she lies down. The sweet movement into the warm embrace of the uterus seems that it lulls the fetus. When it comes in the world, it seeks what it comforted it before, hence it calms in our arms when it feels our body and when it is shaken slightly. A sling baby carrier can offer this natural continuation!

Moreover the constant physical contact soothes the internal discomfort of the infant thus helping relieve the colic pains as the babies listen to the heartbeat of Mom or Dad, and are calmed by their smell. This saves parents from much stress that usually such a situation brings. But even the babies have less stress, according to research published in the journal Pediatrics. This research proves that by "wearing" the baby for 3-4 hours a day, the crying is reduced by 43% during the whole day and by 54% in the afternoon.

Also, research proves that babywearing helps breastfeeding since the mother is more relaxed when she meets best the needs of the baby. Moreover, it is a valuable tool in cases of relactation but also in the efforts to increase the maternal milk production as well. A mom who uses a ringsling or a mei tai, can breastfeed her baby discreetly and outdoors, so she does not feel restricted and trapped inside the house, but can enjoy the benefits of a ride for the same and her baby. Also she can take care simultaneously her older children/s or even doing housework while breastfeeding her baby!

Another important advantage of babywearing is that the parents become more confident, well acquainted with faster movements, gestures and expressions of the baby and they can comprehend the messages that their baby gives them successfully. When the baby does not need to cry to alert the parents that is hungry or bored, then their confidence in them grows alongside the parents confidence. This positive interaction cycle deepens the mutual connection between child-parent and can especially help a woman who may have suffered or is suffering from postpartum depression, since it is considered that a mom who "wears" her newborn in a sling, has reduced rates to suffer from it. This is due to the fact that the hormone oxytocin is closely related to the binding and adhesion. Oxytocin is released during childbirth and lactation, and particularly during “skin-to-skin” contact, and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Babies, who have a close contact with their parents, have been shown to have higher levels of oxytocin than babies who do not have close contact with their parents. This in turn helps to reduce the baby's stress levels and helps to improve the safe attachment of the baby to the parents. Thus the baby’s needs are met at the time of need.

It can still be very helpful to the contact and emotional bonding with his father after the baby gets used to the father’s voice, his heart beats, his movements, facial expressions and together they create a special and strong relationship between them. It is the best way for a parent to learn the baby and in turn, the best way for the baby to learn the parent.

Also, premature babies come into the world with a fragile and sensitive nervous system. But when the baby is connected to the mother through the sling, in harmony with the rhythm of breathing, the sound of the beating of her heart, the movements that she performs, walking, bending and stretching. This stimulation helps the baby to regulate its own physical responses. Studies have also proven that premature babies who are touched and held, gain weight faster and are healthier than those who are not touched and not held, since babies are 'fed' even from our touch.

Modern life is fast and for many people, the continuous carrying of the ever growing children is difficult to achieve, or is inconvenient after giving birth. At this point, the practice of wearing your baby is of great value. A soft baby carrier allows you to keep your child close to you and helps it to relax and sleep in comfort and in a feeling of security. It is also the best way of transport compared to the traditional stroller, and liberates the hands of the person who carries it, allowing him to deal with his work without distractions, inside and outside the home. Moreover, it is the best way to release your hands and go where the trolleys are not allowed. You can climb stairs, go hiking, swim for the first time in the sea with your baby and also move comfortably in crowded places with people.

A question that is often received from new parents is whether the baby is 'spoiled' being held in the arms. The answer I provide is that the baby for nine months was in his mother's belly and felt the security and energy it needed to grow. After birth, the baby seeks the mother’s embrace where it can be fed physically and especially emotionally. Only there, does the baby feel the security to relax and let loose. The world shows hostile and unfriendly in his eyes. Day by day, the baby is gaining confidence which begins to manifest and gains more confidence and self-esteem knowing that his mother is the solid foundation in life. As the daily gained confidence will begin to manifest, more confidence and self-esteem will be projected, knowing that his mother is the solid foundation in life. Early efforts to make the child independent and not to be 'spoiled' in our arms, undermine the confidence in the mother and the stability of the world around him. If we do not respond promptly, appropriately and with sensitivity to the needs of the baby, then it will feel insecure, possibly with low self-esteem, resulting in emotional problems and finally, with excessive dependence on others in his adult life.

Lastly, but very importantly, is that soft baby carriers (ringslings and mei tais) are the best option even anatomically for the babies, since the positions in which are situated, substantially simulate our arms and support exactly where it is needed, just as our hands would. The “International Hip Dysplasia Institute” states that a soft baby carrier helps in the proper development of the hips since the baby is 'worn' in anatomical positions.

"Wearing" your baby, you can meet most of your baby needs easily, effortlessly, comfortably and safely, from the first moment of his birth until he reaches the age of three years old.

Dora Karli for www.MyRockinBaby.gr

Sources:

www.pediatros-thes.gr