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A baby's spine is placed in a compromising position in many of today's
popular carriers. If the carrier positions the infant upright with legs
hanging down and support at the base of the child's spine, it puts undue
stress on the spine and compromises developing curves in the spine.
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When a baby wants to be more upright to see the world around him, the carrier
should allow him to sit cross-legged, so his weight is supported by his
legs and hips. The style of carrier that allows the baby's legs to hang
down causes the spine to bear the entire weight of the child, and can cut
into the baby's circulation by holding the legs apart in a bowlegged manner
during the important early months when the pelvis is forming.
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The Baby Holder provides contact pressure, motion, pleasure, warmth, security,
and sound similar to the womb that the newborn's nervous system requires. A
baby who is worn for prolonged periods during the day tends to be in either
the "quiet alert" state or in a light or deep sleep, but is seldom in a state
of distress.
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A baby who is carried for prolonged periods tends to develop good tone in the
neck and trunk and be able to adjust her posture well in different positions
once she is self mobile. While walking wouldn't be expected to occur more
quickly, the child would attain sitting balance and transitional movements (such
as from sitting to standing) more rapidly. Once walking, her balance would be
enhanced.
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Babies are born in a state of physiological flexion. They are literally
curled in a ball and not at all comfortable when straightened out. The
sling holds a baby in this flexed position. Movement stimulates the
baby's ability to pull our of this little ball into extension.
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Swaddling an infant and placing it in a cradle works, but it lacks a
third crucial ingredient: letting the infant know he is in the hands of
the person who nourishes it both physically and emotionally. An infant
who cannot see or feel or hear its caregiver has more stress hormones
circulation through its central nervous system. This causes the baby to
cry. Stress irritates the immature digestive system, causing baby to spit
up and increases diaper rashes. Being touched and carried has a positive
effect on the digestive system.
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The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder has a shoulder pillow instead of straps
over the parent's shoulders. This is especially important for a nursing
mom, because the straps can restrict circulation in a nursing mother's
engorged chest tissues, causing plugged milk ducts, increasing the incidence
of breast infections. Also, the sling allows mom to nurse more on demand
because the baby is right next to mom, which also reduces breast infections.
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With a conventional baby carrier, baby's weight is carried on the parent's
shoulder. This puts a strain on the neck, shoulders, and lower back. With
the Baby Holder, a child can easily be carried until three years old on hip.
The weight is more evenly distributed across the shoulder, back, and hip.
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When using a sling to carry a child on the hip, the parent does not have to
thrust the hip out to hold the baby up. The carrier holds the child up, and
the parent can stand straight upright for better posture. The sling can
also be worn on the opposite shoulder to share the load.
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