Baby Carriers - Should I Carry My Toddler?

The myth runs like this: 'Don't carry your toddler, it only spoils them.' In my role as a sling consultant, I have worked with parents who have challenged this myth and realised that carrying their toddler not only make sense to them on a practical level, it is also a wonderful gift they can give themselves and their child. For the myth to perpetuate we must accept it at face value, contrary to what we would have liked for ourselves when we were young and what we know of our children's personalities. With this article I want to create a pause in the process of accepting the myth and in that pause provide a challenge to the underlying assumptions. My position is this: Yes, you can carry your toddler without spoiling them.

From newborn to toddler

We carry our newborn for many reasons; to regulate heart beat and temperature, to ease colic, to encourage sleep, to calm, to attend to the needs of siblings, to bond. Add all these needs together and a very young baby may spend a significant amount of time being nurtured in a carrier. As they grow older and start walking, we have fewer reasons to carry them. They are obviously heavier and may outgrow their current baby carrier. Eventually, you may stop carrying them altogether, opting for a stroller instead. The assumption that they no longer need to be carried may lead to us missing their subtle emerging needs as toddlers.

Benefits

Toddlers love the change of perspective they get when carried high in a baby carrier. Experiencing the world from the same vantage point as mum builds confidence and understanding and opens up a rich interaction between you both. Toddlers are very curious about the world around them and constantly ask questions about what they see. If they are in a pushchair the opportunities to talk about what they can see are often missed. If they are being carried you can have a constant chat. This will help increase their language and understanding in a natural and enjoyable way.

When you reach the stage where your child wants to walk more it can be tricky managing this and they can easily get tired. But by having a carrier to hand your child can be easily picked up and taken down when necessary. There is no need to lug an empty pushchair around just in case it may be needed.

What to buy

I recommend soft structured carriers (SSC) to clients wishing to carry a toddler, although a supportive woven wrap is fine, too. For the purposes of this article I am sharing my insight on how to buy the right SSC. Toddlers get dirty and like to snack, so buy a baby carrier that can be wiped clean and machine washable. Choose a carrier that is appropriate for the size and age of your child. In addition, a baby carrier with an adjustable back panel for growth means your carrier can be used for longer and by people with a different body shape to your own. Many brands offer toddler versions of their baby carrier, this can be a useful starting point Remember, some brands offer fully adjustable carriers for baby through to pre-school carrying, so again, always check the age range.

You need to ensure that the carrier you use is supportive enough for both of you. For you this will mean a supportive waistband that can distribute the weight and wide padded shoulder straps. Because of the on and off nature of carrying a toddler choose a carrier that can be easily stowed or will fold into a pack that can be worn around your waist, ready for when needed.

Conclusion

There is an implied contradiction in the myth: it is OK to push them around in a stroller but carrying toddlers spoils them. Rather than accepting the myth and phasing out carrying their children when they outgrow the woven or stretchy wrap, I encourage parents to observe the ongoing and emerging needs of their children as they develop and to consider whether a different carrier type would help prolong carrying for them. If more people embraced toddler carrying it would become the norm and more children and parents would enjoy the practical and developmental benefits.

Wendy Sheard is a Trageschule trained sling consultant and owner of Precious-Bundle one of the UK's largest retailers of premium stretchy wraps and soft structured baby carriers. Wendy believes in the personal touch and offers pre-sales sling consultations, after sales advice and ongoing sling support for as long as you want it.

A Newborn Baby Carrier Should Provide Safety, Security, and Snuggles

You have a new bundle of joy in your life -- and now you're ready to get out and explore the world with your new baby. Or at least take a walk around the block. A newborn baby carrier is a great solution for new parents because you can go out for a walk, take a shopping trip, or even just get some housework done while your baby is with you. A good baby carrier provides your baby with safety, security, and lots of opportunity to snuggle with you.

When you're shopping for the perfect carrier be sure you consider safety carefully. There are many "baby packs" on the market and not all of them are a good idea. Avoid any baby carrier that leaves your newborn's legs dangling down. Many of the popular models found in stores have this design. The problem with dangling legs is the unnatural pressure it puts on your baby's developing legs and hips. This can spell big problems for your baby now and down the road as he or she begins walking.

Instead shop for a newborn baby carrier that holds your little one in a gently cradled position, or one that lets you cross your baby's legs under his or her bottom. When your child is a few months he or she won't care for the crossed leg position, but at first babies don't mind this. When this position is outgrow a carrier should support your baby's bottom and thighs - your little one will literally be sitting on her bottom in the carrier, not dangling by her crotch area. Baby slings, baby wraps, and some "pack" carriers like the Ergobaby carrier line properly support your baby. For a newborn baby carrier I recommend you choose a wrap. It will adapt with your baby's age and preferences.

Be sure you keep fabric out of your baby's face when riding in any carrier.

Your child also needs to feel secure while riding on you. Many people wear their babies facing out, thinking babies like to see the world. But this is often unsettling to infants, especially newborns. Face your little one in, so that you are chest to chest. This keeps baby happy and secure while riding with you. As your baby grows you can pick a carrier that allows your baby to ride on your back. This gives baby the chance to look around at everything that's going on while still being pulled in close to your body and feeling secure.

Your newborn wants to be snuggled close. This is another reason why a wrap carrier is ideal. Your baby sits right against your body, cuddled within a soft carrier. Babies really like being balled up in there! If your baby protests when you first put him in the carrier don't give up. Instead, take a walk! Many little ones grumble initially and then settle down as soon as they feel the rhythm of a brisk walk. It reminds them of being snuggled in the womb. Again, remember to keep your baby's face clear so he can breathe. While your child is on you it's second nature to check on him, but just as a reminder you should frequently peek in at your baby to be assured that he's not too hot or too cold, and hasn't slipped too far into the fabric.

With a little shopping you can find the perfect newborn baby carrier. Choose one that supports your baby's bone development, helps your baby feel secure, and keeps your newborn snuggled closely to your protective body. It will quickly become your baby's favorite place to be!

By the way, do you want to get more practical baby care information that will give you keys to a smarter, happier baby while building a strong bond with your little one?

 

Baby Walker Safety - Tips You Should Know

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AppId is over the quota

Baby walkers have come a long way in terms of safety. But no matter how you look at it, putting a baby in a device that gives them added mobility is going to increase the level of risk involved. If you are considering buying a new baby walker, then here are a few things we think you should consider.

Safety Proof Your Home

This may seem like a no brainer, but every year accidents happen that could have been completely avoided. The first thing you should do is to barricade all of your stair wells. There are several ways to do this, but the best is probably to purchase a sturdy gate that is designed for the purpose.

While stairs are the obvious concern, there are many other hazards that sometimes can get overlooked. Sharp edges on tables, chairs, shelves etc. can post a risk to your baby. A lot of times the added height of the walker puts their heads in the right position to make contact with something they otherwise would not.

Hanging baskets, lines for curtains and anything hanging from the ceiling that may have been previously out of reach for your baby may now be easily accessible. It is best to do a thorough check of the house for things like these before putting your baby in a walker.

Of course you should always keep a close eye on your baby whenever he or she is using the walker to avoid any potential hazards you may have missed!

Purchase New

While it may be tempting to purchase a used baby walker and save a few dollars we would highly recommend against it. First of all, every year new safety measures are being implemented. Problems that were previously not addressed are fixed and a brand new walker is the only way to ensure that your baby is as safe as possible.

Secondly, a used walker could have structural damage that is impossible to see with a naked eye inspection. You never know what sort of abuse a product has suffered in the hands of someone else. Dropping a walker on the driveway while loading it into a car is enough to affect the structural damage and could put your baby at risk.

Do Not Over Use

While there is no doubt that your baby will enjoy the increased mobility that a baby walker offers, many doctors are now recommending that you do not allow your baby to use one for longer periods.

The reason for this is that prolonged use of a baby walker can cause developmental delays in normal walking. While there are some who still debate this, many recent studies have shown an increasingly likely correlation.

Finally - Use Common Sense

I know that the last thing you would want to do is put your baby at risk. Properly used, a baby walker is an excellent way to stimulate your baby's growth and will provide excellent entertainment for both of you.

Make sure you use basic common sense when it comes to how and when to use a baby walker and you will have nothing to worry about!

For more information and the best deals online check out Baby Walker.

Why Your Child Should Be Trained On a Potty Chair

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AppId is over the quota

Children are deemed ready for potty training when they reach around 18 months of age. In most families, the first important task that a kid is invariably trained in is to independently answer the call of nature. Once your child learns to do this, he has learnt an important skill that is going to stay with him for the rest of his life. Therefore, it is important that the child be trained properly and at the right age.

Training your child to use the toilet independently is termed potty training and is named so for a reason. Potty chairs are used in teaching kids. You may well ask, why use a potty chair? There are a few compelling reasons that will help us understand why it makes sense to use a potty chair to potty train your child.

The single biggest reason is ease of use. Compared to a commode used by adults, a potty training chair is meant for kids. They can sit comfortably on it and use it without the fear of falling down. If you were to seat your little one on a commode, you'd have to hold him and balance him, besides the position is uncomfortable and can stress a little one's back. No such problems with a potty training chair. Not to mention that the chances of slipping and falling from a potty chair are practically non-existent.

Second, there is a chance of the toilet seat getting soiled and splashes sometimes can be unavoidable; these are needless hygiene issues that are easily overcome with a potty chair with a splash guard.

A very important consideration is the fact that children will learn faster by using a potty chair. This is because they can use it independently. Also, they develop a sense of ownership with the product which is exclusively theirs. It fosters pride in achieving success in using this tool and for a small child, that's a big deal.

Anyone can help a child with using a potty, it's not the same if you were to place the kid on a commode.

A well-designed and sturdy chair like the Baby Bjorn potty chair is an ideal device to toilet train your kids. It will make your job of training your child that much easier. It takes out the stress and tension from the whole exercise. Instead of shirking it, your child will actually look forward to using this excellent ergonomically designed potty training chair.

How much should a baby sleep?

Most parents to fight sleep problems at some point in the life of her child. Is one of the biggest questions that parents have, how much my baby should sleep?

An important question, directly influenced their mental and physical development as how much your baby is sleeping.

Here are some guidelines for how much sleep, your child at the various stages in its development, according to the Studienstiftung sleep needs.

Newborns (1-2 months) newborns sleep much! Most babies an average of 16 hours sleep per day. Unfortunately most, that sleep comes into small pieces of not more than approximately 1 to 2 hours at a time.

Children (3-11 months) from about 3 months, which most babies have little nervous enough matured longer wait to sleep sessions - usually 4-5 hours at a time. Most babies through the night sleep for six months. This is not the case with your baby, it is not in General, because they are hungry, but instead to comfort you in this time of night have set up a custom of search. Your child back allowed on its own sleep teaching him sleep through the night. Most babies create their own small napping pattern generally consists of approximately 2 NAPs a day, for a total of 13 hours a day sleeping. Do not worry you, if your baby longer takes many small short NAPs instead of 2. Babies have an inherent ability to know how much sleep they need. As long as your baby cranky he doesn't seem get, if he is awake, is probably enough sleep.

Infants (1-3 years) infants need about 12-14 hours sleep in a 24 hour period. If they some have reached age 18 months, their Naptimes typically reduces a day lasting one about 2-3 hours.

Preschoolers (3-5 years) children 3-5 years about 10-12 hours need sleep per day. Age of 3 years only 50% of children are still napping, and 5 the most not sleep at all. From this age when your child always has plenty of rest at night, it is not necessary that they sleep.

At the age of children (5-12 years) 5-12 years old 10-11 hours need children sleep each night. Mood swings, hyperactivity, and other issues that may affect his ability to learn can underestimate the importance here - insufficient sleep.

Youth (13-18 years) the most young people need about 9 hours sleep every night to feel alert and well rested. Unfortunately about 90% are to get young people less than 8 hours per night all the. Not well - research shows that young people tend to overweight and more prone to depression, if they get enough sleep.

How much should a baby sleep? They can your kids to get to sleep, must first all they know how much your baby should sleep, the help. Secondly, by providing a comfortable sleep environment and third, by maintaining a consistent bedtime routine.

About the author - is Laurie Cooper, wife, mother and grandmother, who offers practical tips, resources and encouragement for parents, as they help through the amazing journey, their children too joyful confidence, positive adults grow go! Visit their website at http://parentpositivekids.com/ you will receive your free guide to ' the top 7 Secrets for A GREAT parent is '