Baby sling
A baby sling (short sling ) is to wear an aid that allows a baby or toddler for a longer period of time on the body.
history
Two thirds of the world's population have their children.
200 years ago, in Europe too, babies and toddlers were usually carried on the mother's body, but this was mainly done in the poorer classes. In the wealthier classes were allowed to be a child of nurses breastfeeding , care of nannies and also made use of the first stroller that arose in the 19th century. Since then, the tradition of wearing has declined more and more.
In western industrial nations it experienced a certain renaissance in the 1970s and 1980s. Erika Hoffmann, mother of four children, including a pair of twins, followed the example of Central American women. She tied one child at a time in a cloth so that she could cope with everyday work with the two babies. The star printed a report on her idea in 1972, and doctors were positive. In Ludwigsburg in Germany, the company founded Didymus , ancient Greek for twin that manufactured substances that were particularly suited for this carry.
In Germany , the companies KOKADI, Didymos, LIMAS, Ruckeli and Kapualove founded the International Baby Carrier Association on June 8, 2018 in order to promote ergonomic baby carriers.
In the industrial nations with the exception of Japan , wearing has become rare. Today, children are largely carried on their parents' bodies in developing and emerging countries , but there prams are sometimes seen as a sign of prosperity, so that a slow change can be observed there, as it took place in Europe in the 19th century.
In addition to slings, there are various other baby carriers (see below) that increase the number of parents who carry their children. The constant carrying children is propagated Stark ( Engl. Babywearing ) since the late 20th century by the apologists of attachment parenting .
Placht with Bessarabian Germans
In the case of the German ethnic group of the Bessarabia Germans who settled in Bessarabia between 1814 and 1940 , the sling was called Placht. Children were carried by their mothers in plachten as the streets were muddy in winter and strollers were hardly used. The cloths spun from wool by the settlers were about three meters wide and three meters long. They were colorfully designed in striped and plaid patterns.
Pros and cons of wearing
Advantages:
- The baby's instinct tells him that it is safe as long as he is in physical contact (baby carrier ). The baby is happier and cries less. This is in line with a study by Urs A. Hunziker at the Children's Hospital Zurich , according to which children who are carried cried noticeably less than children in a comparison group.
- The child is not always the focus, but can still actively experience all the family's activities.
- Better mobility: Wherever you make long detours with the stroller or you can't get through at all, you have fewer restrictions with the sling (stairs, unpaved paths, deep snow, hikes, public transport, etc.)
- Warmth and exercise are recommended for babies with digestive problems (3-month colic). Therefore, the sling can be helpful there.
- Direct body contact regulates the baby's temperature. Fever can thus be easily lowered. (Of course, this also works without the use of a sling) Even when worn under the jacket in winter, the child's body temperature is always under control.
- Both hands are free for other things such as siblings, animals, household, work etc.
- Small and practical to take with you (compared to a bulky stroller)
- Regular wearing promotes the strengthening of the core muscles. Many parents report that back pain subsides or disappears after a certain period of time. The training effect also helps mothers shed weight from pregnancy.
Disadvantage:
- You have to bear the (increasing) weight of the child.
- In the event of medical problems (herniated disc, etc.) it may not be possible to wear it. Clarify with the attending physician and a trained carrying advisor.
- Sports activities are only possible to a limited extent (everything that transfers shocks to the child, such as running, should be avoided). However, there are offers that are specifically geared towards babies being carried (e.g. Nordic walking with children).
- Putting on a sling or baby carrier correctly requires a little patience, especially at the beginning. It must be learned like shoe tying. With the help of a trained carrying advisor, you can learn the correct steps quickly and easily.
Biological and medical considerations
Bernhard Hassenstein referred to human infants and babies of some species of apes as carriers . In fact, human newborns - as well as baby monkeys - have the cling reflex ( Moro reflex ) when falling as well as the grasping reflex ( palmar reflex). If you lay a newborn on its back or lift it up, it instinctively assumes the spread-squat position , with which it can lie closer to the wearer's body. Biologists therefore even count humans among the active carriers, although human children cannot hold onto the body of the carrier on their own and therefore have to be carried like passive carriers.
Fears, e.g. B. Wearing is harmful to the spine, are not sustainable from a biological point of view. Medically, too, there is nothing to be said against carrying healthy babies for long periods of time. According to studies by Evelin Kirkilionis, spinal column abnormalities do not occur more frequently in children who are carried than in children who are driven in prams. Rather, carrying the baby's spine is even better, as the double S-shape only develops during the first year of life. Wearing in the spread-squat position can prevent hip dysplasias , and cases have also been documented in which existing hip dysplasias disappeared without medical intervention after the affected babies were carried in the sling.
If parents start wearing them as early as possible - healthy babies can be carried from day one - their backs will not be harmed by long periods of wear. Good baby carriers distribute the child's weight accordingly; the parents' muscles are trained as the weight increases and adjust accordingly. If the child is too heavy to be carried on the front, it can be carried on the back, where the weight of the backpack is normally used. If the parents have back problems, however, the wearing should be restricted or agreed with the doctor.
Notes on the selection and use of slings
Numerous manufacturers now offer slings in a wide variety of sizes, colors and quality levels.
The length of the sling is determined by the method of tying used:
- Kangaroo ties (front kangaroo, hip kangaroo, backpack) require a 3.6 to 4.2 m long cloth.
- Cross-tie methods (cross-wrap stretcher, cross-wrap backpack) require a 4.2 to 4.7 m long cloth for slim people.
For tall or plump people, the next larger length of cloth is required. The cloth should not be too long, as the drooping ends are then difficult to handle.
Wipes in accordance with the Oeko-Tex 100 standard must not contain any known carcinogenic or allergenic dyes, must be sweat- and saliva-proof and the pesticide content must not exceed the legally prescribed limit values for fruit and vegetables. Some manufacturers also offer towels with raw materials from controlled organic cultivation .
A sling should be diagonally elastic in order to hug the child tightly, to allow the child's back to curve and to be able to tighten it precisely. This is achieved through the weave of the fabric. The most common types of weave are "cross twill", "jacquard weave" and "diamond twill weave". The wearing properties are also influenced by the weave density, yarn thickness and the material used (silk, wool, etc.). Standard towels are woven from cotton.
With a sling, children can either be carried on the stomach, on the hips or on the back. Tying it on the stomach is particularly suitable for smaller children up to approx. 12 months. The child is always to be carried with the face to the body.
Tie on the hip is suitable for children from birth. Sitting on the hips, the child has the opportunity to observe the person carrying his activities and to perceive more of his environment. The disadvantage is that the child's weight then rests only on one shoulder of the person carrying it.
Tie on the back is suitable for children from birth until they become too heavy to carry. The integration is also possible without outside help and, like any binding method, requires some practice. Parents need a little more courage for this than for ties in the front, as you cannot see the child. However, other sensory impressions such as noises, movements and muscle tone from the child are perceived intensively. Carrying it on the back has the advantage that the arms are completely free so that most manual activities can be carried out without restriction. The better balance and the unobstructed view of the feet are beneficial for walks and hikes and the way of carrying is easy on the back and pelvic floor of the person carrying.
It is not recommended to put the child into the sling after the binding has been completed, as this makes it difficult to adapt the sling to the child and the person carrying it. The child then often sits too loosely, sways in the towel, does not feel secure and cries. The person carrying the child tries to compensate for the loose fit by additionally supporting the child with one or both hands. Under certain circumstances, back pain can also become noticeable. In particular for newborns and younger babies, the child should be placed in the cloth while it is being tied, so that it can be individually pulled on the child and the person carrying it and the necessary strength of the bond can be achieved.
Carrying in front of the stomach with the face forward is generally not recommended, regardless of whether it is carried with a sling or a baby carrier. Here the child is pushed into an unphysiological posture, the body, especially the head, is not supported enough. The spread-squat position is not guaranteed. Boys are at risk of having their testicles squeezed off. And the infant does not have the opportunity to turn to the carrier in order to withdraw from optical and acoustic stimuli. If the child wants to see more, it is advisable to carry it on the hip or on the back so that it can look over the shoulder.
When carrying the child, it should not be restricted by clothing that is too small, tight or thick. The sling acts as an additional layer of clothing. Due to the bending of the legs and the pull of the cloth, a longer pants size is often necessary when wearing, especially with rompers.
Carry on the go
Winter:
- In colder temperatures it is not necessary to do without carrying the child. On the contrary, the body warms the child and prevents it from cooling down. There are various aids so that the baby does not have to be wrapped too thickly:
- A babywearing jacket with inserts on the back and front that gives the child enough space. The best option, as the child is right next to the person carrying it and is therefore best kept warm.
- A use for your own jacket. This is how a normal jacket becomes a carrying jacket. Is only suitable for small babies, as it can only be carried in front of the stomach.
- A carrying cover. It is put on over the child, in the front under the open jacket of the adult, in the back over the jacket. Well suited for parents who only occasionally wear outside.
Summer:
- Since babies and toddlers are not yet able to regulate their body temperature so well, parents must take special care in summer that the child does not overheat or catch a cold from sweating.
- When carried in summer, the child benefits from the sweating of the person carrying. The cooling effect of perspiration also affects the child. Both of them may end up being sweaty, but not overheated. If the child is taken out of the sling, dry spare clothes should be ready so that the child does not catch a cold. Sun protection is also very important for newborns. Avoid the direct sun over midday, wear a sun hat that also protects the neck (or a scarf) and long, light clothing made of absorbent material (natural fibers such as cotton, hemp, bamboo). Always make sure you drink enough fluids and take breaks in the shade.
Elastic slings
Elastic slings (also known as jersey or knitted) are suitable for the first time after the birth of a healthy baby. Although manufacturers recommend up to approx. 15 kg, parents reach their limits well before (5–8 kg) with an elastic cloth. The T-shirt-like fabric is too elastic, which is why only a 3-layer binding method is recommended in order to achieve sufficient support for the baby. Among other things, this means that the elastic sling makes you feel constricted and sweat quickly. For safety reasons, back-carrying methods should not be tied with them (the child leans out and falls).
For children with special features ( KISS syndrome , spasms , etc.) an elastic cloth can be helpful. In this case, however, it is advisable to seek advice on carrying and to clarify with the doctor whether carrying is possible. Premature babies or babies with weak muscle tone should not be carried with an elastic sling. Only a properly tied, woven sling will provide the necessary support. The standard dimensions of an elastic sling are: length 5.5 m, width 60 cm and tapered ends 20 cm to make it easier to knot.
Other carrying aids
Traditional variants of slings in East Asia are the Mei Tai (China), the Onbuhimo (Japan) and the Podaeg (Korea). The Mei Tai consists of a rectangular piece of fabric with ribbons attached to the corners. Unlike a sling, this material only covers the child's body. The person carrying them ties the straps around as a hip belt or backpack carrier. This has resulted in a large number of new baby carriers in recent years. A carrying advisor usually knows the current models and can help with the selection, but also with the correct adjustment and creation of a baby carrier.
The ring sling is a very space-saving carrier . It offers the advantages of a classic sling for the posture of the baby, as it adapts precisely to the body. However, it is smaller and more manageable (approx. 2 m), and with a little practice can be put on or taken off extremely quickly. The disadvantage is that the weight is only on one shoulder. A ring sling can be carried from birth until the load is too heavy for one shoulder.
Various manufacturers also offer other carrying aids , such as comfort carriers with rucksack buckles (also called fullbuckles ) or carrying aids that further develop the MeiTai by combining a padded hip belt with a buckle with straps to tie it (also called halfbuckle ). A special form of these carrying aids is the WrapTai (also called Bei Dai ), in which the straps for tying are made from about 30 cm wide cloth. These WrapTais can be worn in many different ways and grow with the baby for a long time.
Carrying aids with rucksack fasteners cannot grow as long as the sling or WrapTai, but they have the advantage that they can be put on very quickly, even by inexperienced users.
It is important for baby carriers that they can be adjusted to suit the baby and the person carrying it. Carrying aids that cannot be adjusted to the size of the baby can only be used optimally for a relatively short period of time. Many manufacturers now offer baby carriers that can grow with the baby and are therefore very easy to adjust.
With a good baby carrier, it must be ensured that the head is supported and that the child assumes a good spread-squat position when being carried . It is important that the thighs are as fully supported as possible, the legs are not spread too widely, the spine can be rounded according to the baby's age and that no unfavorable pressure is exerted on the joints. For the fit of a baby carrier, the child's knees should be positioned higher than their buttocks. The seat should extend from the hollow of the knee to the hollow of the knee, although a finger's breadth makes sense to allow the child's lower legs to rotate freely. Especially with babies under 18 months, it should be ensured that the seat is ideal (from hollow of the knee to hollow of the knee). Later on: as long as the knees are positioned higher than the buttocks, the baby carrier can be used. Of course, it is possible that some children react sensitively when the seat bridge no longer adequately supports the thighs, which means that they have to switch to a larger carrier.
In addition to adjusting the seat in the area of the legs, it is also important that the baby carrier supports the baby's back well. The baby carrier is intended to prevent a baby from sagging in it. Babies who are not yet able to crawl, crawl or sit down on their own should not be subjected to punctual pulling or pressure on the back.
The history of the baby sling goes hand in hand with that of the baby hammock .
Breastfeeding in the sling and in the baby carrier
If the baby is tied up in front of the stomach or on the hips, it can also be used to breastfeed discreetly in public. The sling can also be used as a privacy screen.
Breastfeeding can also be carried out in the baby carrier by loosening the shoulder straps and possibly lowering the hip belt slightly. This will put the baby in the right position. It is important to tighten the baby carrier after breastfeeding to ensure that the baby continues to be well supported.
literature
- Evelin Kirkilionis: A baby needs to be carried. Everything about suitable baby carriers and the advantages of carrying them . Kösel, Munich 1999, ISBN 978-3-466-34408-6 .
- Öko-Test yearbook toddlers for 2005, ISSN 0948-2644 .
Web links
Individual evidence
- ↑ Anja Manns and Anne Christine Schrader: Carrying into life . Publishing house for science and education, Berlin 1999, ISBN 978-3-86135-570-0
- ↑ Reinvention , information brochure of the Ludwigsburg Museum , Ludwigsburg, 2013
- ↑ Home. Retrieved on May 11, 2019 (German).
- ↑ http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/77/5/641.abstract
- ↑ Bernhard Hassenstein, Evelin Kirkilionis: The human infant, Nesthocker or support Ling? . In: Science and Progress 42/1992
- ↑ Evelin Kirkilionis: A baby wants to be carried . Kösel-Verlag, Munich 1999 ISBN 3-466-34408-5
- ↑ Tying instructions cross-wrap stretcher from Didymos, 2016
- ↑ Didymos size chart, 2016
