The Low Down on Slingin It with your Little One
The choices can be overwhelming and deciding wether or not to carry your baby or wrap your baby in a sling is your decision ultimately, but we wanted to give some sage advise on how a sling can help you out in your day to day life and routine.
•Vanny Bean has found some great advantages to carrying your baby by sling:
•It's convenient and easy. You can breastfeed privately in a sling while working, getting things done around the house, shopping or eating in a restaurant. (Please do not travel down the stairs in your sling with your baby). If you have a baby who wants to be held all the time, this is an easy way to meet her needs while doing other things. Think of having an extra hand that is free to move around, talk on the phone, type, or relax with your baby. •It helps moms care for older siblings. Carrying your baby in a sling can give you the mobility to care for older children while being close to baby.
•It helps some babies to breastfeed better because of the closeness. Some babies, particularly those who are tense or tend to arch their backs, breastfeed better while moving. Also, babies who are slow to gain weight (for no apparent reason) have been known to gain better if carried in a sling for several hours a day, since proximity to mom encourages babies to eat more frequently.
•It can enhance learning. Carried babies have enhanced visual and auditory alertness, and increased "quiet alertness" times. Carrying a baby promotes cognitive development and speech development, since babies are exposed to experiences and conversations right out of the womb.
•Carried babies are involved in their parents' world. They participate in life, rather than see it as a spectator.
•Carrying your baby promotes bonding and enhances parents' feelings of competence. A higher frequency of feeding and touching stimulates mothering hormones, and frequent carrying encourages and speeds the development of a mutual reading of each other's cues.
Finding a sling that is right for you
There are many types of baby carriers. These include adjustable slings with rings (these come padded or unpadded), pouch slings that are not adjustable,modern, traditional, and wrap arounds. No wonder the confusion when looking for a sling that is right for you and your baby!
Look at photos of the different types, and, if possible, try on several different types, brands and sizes of baby carrier to see which suits you best.
How do I choose the sling that is right for me?
One of our favorite slings is Karma Baby. Karma Baby is a hip fun and modern sling that is durable for your baby and is an easy convenient wrap around sling. With many choices to choose from like organic, water, patterned, and solid you will find what you are looking for with Karma Baby.
As Always, As Friends,
Vanny Bean
