CARRY BABY HANDS-FREE
AND LOOK GREAT DOING IT!
COLIC
It has been discovered that Colic (persistent intense crying for several hours at a time) is a newborn's response to all the new and overwhelming stimulation outside the womb. According to Dr. Harvey Karp, pediatrician and author of "The Happiest Baby On The Block", colic is non-existent in cultures where women typically wear their babies in baby carriers. "Women hold their infants almost twenty-four hours a day, feed them frequently, and constantly rock and jiggle them. For several months, these moms give their babies an almost constant imitation of the womb."
NAPS
Newborns sleep in excess of 16 hours per day and a modern mom's lifestyle requires her to be on the go, especially if she has more than one child. Wearing a sleeping newborn in a carrier allows Mom to go about housework, shopping or supervising other children without having to constantly check on the infant.
TOUCH
Studies show that when a newborn is worn close to the mother, the mother's body temperature adjusts to keep the baby's temperature at the right level, the baby's breathing becomes more even, and heart rate and blood oxygen levels stay steady. This kind of contact is commonly recommended for the care of premies to help them grow and thrive.
INFANTS
INVOLVEMENT
As babies mature they have an increased desire to be part of the action. They want to be held up high where they can see everything that is going on. Many times what is going on requires both of mom's hands. Wearing the baby in a carrier on the back is a very convenient way for mom to continue to be productive while also giving her baby the care and stimulation he needs.
SEPARATION ANXIETY
Separation anxiety is a challenging stage of every baby's first year. Some babies become hysterical if mom even leaves the room. Whereas it is usually impractical for mom to be productive while carrying a heavy baby, when the baby is in a carrier she is free to take baby with her from room to room or even out running errands without needing to leave the child with a sitter. This "separation anxiety" phase will pass, but in the mean time, wearing the baby is a convenient option for dealing with this challenging phase. Some people believe that babies pass through this stage faster when their anxieties are accomodated this way.
TODDLERS
STAMINA
A toddler loves to walk. A toddler will demand to walk! And before you can say "what a good walker you are" he will demand to be carried. Strollers are wonderful, convenient devices, but they don't fit in a diaper bag. A mom who keeps a carrier in her bag at all times can comfortably carry a weary toddler anyplace: on the subway, in a store, on a hike...
SAFETY
It has been said that trying to get a toddler to walk where you want them to is like trying to herd grasshoppers. They are fast, and in a crowded place or near a busy street it can be dangerous to let a toddler run free. At these times safety comes first and a carrier is a convenient and comfortable option.
MOMS
ALL THIS GREAT PARENTING, HANDS FREE!
WHY A PAPOOSE VS. COMMERCIAL FRONT CARRIERS?
WEAR THEM ON FRONT OR BACK
Papoose carriers are modelled after native style carriers that have been worn for centuries by women who carried their babies throughout the day while working. Therefore the native style carriers are always able to be worn on the back or side as well as the front leaving the mother's arms and front torso free to work. This option in a carrier is as requisite today as it has ever been. Even bending over to pick up dropped keys can be uncomfortable when a large baby is attached to the front.
MOM'S SPINAL HEALTH
Thousands of generations of moms have perfected the design of the
Papoose style carriers so they are ergonimic. When you wear the appropriate style Papoose carrier to accomodate the size of your baby or toddler you will be able to wear your child for hours, if necessary, without experiencing undue back and shoulder pain. There are no specially designed back plates or ingenious technology involved to spare the parent's back, just thousands of years of wisdom in the flexible and compact designs.
Commercial front carriers will usually cause noticeable back and shoulder pain after carrying, even small babies, for prolonged periods. Typically, it is noticably uncomfortable to carry a large baby even for a short period of time. It is not recommended to carry toddlers in commercial front carriers.
BABY'S SPINAL HEALTH
Commercial front carriers allow for an outward facing or inward facing position, both of which position the babies spine in such a way that it is straight and must absorb the thrust of every bounce. Imagine the impact of a hammer on a stiff nail, the nail is inflexible so instead of bending to each thrust of the hammer, it must go down into the wood. Papoose carriers are all naturally designed to be worn so that the infant's spine retains a natural curve while sitting in the carrier. Optimally the baby's bottom will be lower than the bent knees. The spine, therefore, naturally absorbs every bounce by bending and straightening. When the carriers are worn properly there is no inherent detrimental impact to the child's spine, in fact the child will remain very comfortable.
SAFETY
While a parent carries out most everyday activities,
cleaning the house, cooking, walking through crowded places it is almost always unsafe to have a baby attached to the front, especially in an outward facing position. The baby becomes very vulnerable to being cut, burned, bumped, or even grabbing something dangerous. Most times it is safer (and more convenient) to wear an older baby on the back. The baby still receives all the benefit of being part of the action, but from a much more protected position.
COMPACT & CONVENIENT
You can fold a Papoose carrier and put it in a diaper bag, tote bag, large pocket -- just about anywhere! On some styles of carriers there is a minimum of padding for comfort. The carriers are made of silky flexible fabric that is both comfy to wear and easy to fold away.