When my second child was born, I was shocked at how busy life became. I anticipated that two little kids were going to be twice as busy as one. But as my kids\u2019 pediatrician validated, the experience of multiple kids defies math equations: \u201cOne is one, and two is like four.\u201d<\/p>\n
Fortunately, I discovered a survival tool in the early days of having two young kids: babywearing. Using a baby carrier or wrap to \u201cwear\u201d my infant on me made both my kids and mehappier. My daughter was snuggled close and I was free to attend to my toddler son. Babywearing isn\u2019t just for the birth parent! When my partner got home from work, he would wear our baby and walk figure eights in our small apartment living room to calm her during the fussy evening \u201cwitching hour.\u201d<\/p>\n
As much as I love my daughter, she was not an \u201ceasy baby.\u201d Daytime naps in the bassinet were rarely successful, so baby carriers were our go-to for getting her to nap and stay asleep. This led to happier daytime wake periods, too. Babywearing \u2013 rather than leaving her in a swing or bouncer \u2013 also helped prevent flattening of the back of her head<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every parent has preferences as to which baby carrier works for them. This may be based on their own body, especially depending on how their postpartum recovery is gocrying, as well as their baby\u2019s weight and age. I felt most comfortable re-using the soft structured carrier I had from my first child after recovering from delivery. I also mastered tying a woven wrap (after practicing with a baby doll!) and found this type of carrier most comfortable for use around the house.<\/p>\n Once our kids got a bit bigger and stronger, we often used a child carrier hiking backpack around the city. They loved being attached to us and having a new view of the world; we loved not having to navigate bumpy narrow sidewalks with a stroller. Regardless of what type of baby carrier you may choose or use, I strongly recommend reading the manufacturer\u2019s information or watching their official videos on how to position your baby safely in any carrier, as each is different.<\/p>\n The first 6 months of a baby\u2019s life are important to help their hip sockets develop appropriately. The hips are \u201cball and socket\u201d joints, where the head of the femur (the upper leg bone) sits in a cup-like area in the pelvis on each side of the body. Babies\u2019 hip joints are very loose and flexible at birth to be able to pass through the birth canal. Over the first 6 months of life, the bones and soft tissues support the hip joint and keep the \u201cball in the socket.\u201d If these bones are not in the right position during this time, they won\u2019t develop normally (known as hip dysplasia), and this can cause long-term musculoskeletal problems.\u00a0This is why it\u2019s so important that any baby carrier you use not place damaging stress on their joints.<\/p>\n When using a carrier or wrap, the ideal position for your baby is inward-facing with their legs in an M-position (bent with knees slightly higher than their bottom\u00a0). Look for an infant carrier that is designated as \u201chip-healthy\u201d by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute<\/a> and read the package insert or brand videos on appropriate positioning for your baby\u2019s weight and age.<\/p>\n Your baby\u2019s pediatrician will help monitor healthy hip development over their first year of life. If your baby was breech position (head up) while in the womb or if there is a family history of hip dysplasia, they\u2019re at higher risk of hip problems, so it\u2019s especially important to follow these \u201csafe hip\u201d guidelines for babywearing and swaddling during sleep<\/a> too. If your baby was in breech position, an ultrasound and\/or x-ray will likely be done to confirm the hips are developing normally. As always, please contact your child\u2019s pediatrician with any questions about your baby\u2019s hip development.<\/p>\n Babywearing can help parents and infants get through those challenging early days of infancy, especially if you have a more \u201ccolicky\u201d baby. Time does fly as a parent, though. Before you know it, your child will be too big to carry, so try to enjoy the snuggles while they’re small!<\/p>\n American Academy of Pediatrics<\/p>\nKnow the importance of protecting your baby\u2019s hips<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Use the best hip and leg position in baby carriers\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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Resources for Parents<\/h4>\n