Horizontal Versus Upright Transport in Early Infancy

[em1984]

Really interesting article, long but worth the read! Something all new parents/parents to be should be informed about!

http://www.sleepywrap.com/index.php?page=stroller-baby-carrier

[Thermolicious]

:yelclap: great article!

[trishalishous]

I just had a quick skim, but will read later.
it just clicked about one of the babies at my mothers group- their mum was saying that they had a flat spot, and it hadn't improved in 5 months- but the bubs are nearly ALWAYS in the pusher (most of the bubs in mothers group)
I hadn't even thought of the harm being due to the pusher!

[em1984]

Yep, my son had a terrible flat spot, and was in the pram a fair bit (not so much as a newborn, more when he was a bit older). Gosh I wish I'd known all of this before I had him (hence me sharing it) and needless too say I'll be doing things MUCH differently for this bub.

I especially liked these bits, so true and I feel we are only just coming out the hangover of this 'era' of parenting:


With all the studies and the clear physical benefits of carrying a baby upright on mother's chest it's hard to understand a pediatrician's ambivalence on the matter or outright scorn when his patients choose to do so. Perhaps the reason fo...r not supporting upright carrying may be that they want to discourage mothers from spoiling their babies or to prevent the mother and baby from getting too close or attached to each other.

Straying from wearing our babies may be linked to the old school of thought in which dates back to 1928 when the famous behaviorist Doctor Watson set out to change the course of humanity and make infants independent, strong and tough. His theory was that we were all born basically a blank slate- ignoring any evolutionary hard wiring or any inborn biological tendencies- and that in order to "form" an independent child it was necessary to prevent the newborn baby from creating dependent habits. In other words, if you hold on to your baby he will cling to you and never let go. He will be needy. Not only should you withhold from carrying your baby but cuddling, kissing and rocking him too; if you show affection, your baby will expect it.

So many of our grandparents and parents were influenced by this mechanistic train of thought, pressured by the experts to believe that if we picked up their babies when they cried that we would create a tyrant of a child and become enslaved. Unfortunately this psychology had has a profound effect upon pediatric thinking and practice and even pervades into conversations between mothers and doctors today. (Montagu, 1986


Most mothers are still pressure to carry out the harsh parenting methods that were inculcated into our grandparents and our parents. Yet, these mechanistic methods only go back so far. Anthropologist James McKenna ...claims that with our babies more often in a type of container than in our arms, they are at "odds with evolution". "Virtually all of our biochemistry and physiology are fine-tuned for the conditions of life that existed when we were hunters and gatherers, in which babies were held by their mothers. Our culture may be changing, but our evolutionary need for touch remains the same.

Babies' brains have evolved to expect closeness and proximity-to be held- for their safety, their psychological growth, physical growth, mental growth, to aid and stabilize their physiological processes and keep their immune systems strong" (Field, 69-74). "Touch is not an emotional fringe benefit. It's as necessary as the air we breathe" (Heller, 5).


Laying babies flat on their backs in a stroller is actually not easier on their necks, spines, hips, or their minds. Nature intended for babies to be carried. Upright positioning with proper leg support is the preferable position for your i...nfant and is gentle enough not to physically stress even tiny three pound babies. A mother should trust what her heart tells her, by holding baby close to her heart she will not only be choosing the most beneficial and physically supportive method of bringing baby along with her, she will be providing the optimal environment for his psychological and emotional growth as well.