Do you wear your baby in an upright position? Hooray for you! You are helping prevent flattening of your baby's head, as well increasing her neck and head control. Babies in the US are often times ending up with flat heads and weak upper body strength. Why is this happening? What are we doing different than our ancestors and other cultures?
Do you keep your baby in a carseat at times other than riding in a car? What about a swing? Pressure on the back or side your newborn baby's head can permanently flatten it out over time; it is called deformational plagiocephaly. This can lead to decreased hair growth over that area and now pediatric researchers are looking at developmental delays associated with this. From a recent article published in Pediatrics, the official journal of the American Academy of Pediarics:
DP,[deformational plagiocephaly], seems to be associated with early neurodevelopmental disadvantage, which is most evident in motor functions.... These data do not necessarily imply that DP causes neurodevelopmental delay; they indicate only that DP is a marker of elevated risk for delays. Pediatricians should monitor closely the development of infants with this condition.
The most fun way to prevent this from happening is to wear your baby in an upright position and to give her lots of tummy time. Wearing your baby is 'natural' tummy time, as long as she is upright. Another great way to do tummy time is to have your baby tummy to tummy with you while you are lying down. Works great. Dads love it. And your baby will be much happier. My colleague Cathy Watson Genna says, "Carrying time is tummy time."
- Do you wear your baby?
- What is your favorite wrap/carrier?
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