the sling connection
You only need to look at the photos on this site to see all the fashion forward fabrics and fun styles available for slings. . . Contrast that to all the baby stuff you might use instead.
Now, of course you should always strap your baby in an approved car seat when you are traveling in your car (click here for AAP car safety seat recommendations), and you will likely find some other baby equipment such as a stroller or a bouncy seat to be truly helpful, depending on your baby and your circumstances.
But by and large when you use slings,
A. You’ll notice your home is furnished primarily with -- furniture -
rather than plastic baby containers.
B. You’ll find going out to be much simpler.
(How many times have you seen a parent holding a baby
and pushing an empty stroller?)
C. Plus, you’ll save money.
Since they are not using the car seat as a baby carrier, some sling moms bypass the infant car seat all together and use an approved convertible car seat from day one. . . . With the money you save, buy another sling. ;)
Consider the following:
1. Car seats, strollers, and swings contribute to “flat head:” Because of concern about plagiocephaly (or a flat head that results from consistent pressure on one part of baby’s head), the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that “infants should spend minimal time in car seats (when not a passenger in a vehicle) or other seating that maintains supine positioning.” (Learn more here: Car Seats, Infant Carriers, and Swings: Their Role in Deformational Plagiocephaly)
2. Car seats are considered unsafe on shopping carts: The American Academy of Pediatrics says you should “never place an infant carrier on top of the shopping cart.” Yes, you read that right. They list this right along with “never allow a child to stand-up in a shopping cart” and “never allow a child to ride on the outside of a cart”! (found here) The AAP says, “Many infant-only car safety seats lock into shopping carts, and many stores have shopping carts with built-in infant seats. This may seem safe, but thousands of children are hurt every year from falling out of shopping carts or from the carts tipping over. Instead of placing your baby's car safety seat on the cart, consider using a stroller or frontpack while shopping with your baby” (found here).
3. Car seats are considered unsafe for naps: I know. That is the main point of the infant car seat carrier - that is why they have handles - so we don’t have to disturb baby’s sleep when we leave the car. . . But the American Academy of Pediatrics actually recommends against this. “When your baby falls asleep in her car safety seat, it can be tempting to bring her inside and leave her alone in the seat, but this can be unsafe. Your baby can fall out of the seat, or the seat can fall over.” And a recent study (Car Safety Seats May Cause Breathing Problems for Infants) warns that babies who nap in a car seat may risk life-threatening oxygen desaturation! Car seats are not for sleeping.
4. Carrying your baby in a car seat is bad for your back: The car seat weighs almost as much as the baby, and it is awkward, with the weight far from your center of gravity and often on just one side of your body. This is bad for anyone’s back, especially for a new mom who has the hormone “relaxin” in her system for 9 months after giving birth. To learn more about this and other aspects of the issue I encourage you to read this article from Mothering Magazine: Car Seats are for Cars.
5. Babies toted in car seats and soothed by swings are deprived of human touch: Last, but certainly not least, our babies needs to be touched! Babies rely on an abundance of human contact to thrive. When we allow modern baby holding devises (like car seat carriers, swings, strollers, etc.) to become our way of life, our sweet little babies miss out on all of those natural opportunities to be held, moved, and touched. Car seat carriers minimize the vitally important physical contact we have with our babies. (For links to research etc. on this topic, see our “develop better” page.)
. . . So if there are compelling medical reasons that babies should not be transported or left sleeping in a car seat, what’s a mama to do when her arms are so tired she’s in tears?
Get a baby sling, of course!
And we are here to help you find one. :)
baby stuff
Wearing your baby means less baby stuff
