Babywearing has been your goal since your pregnancy began and now your baby has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly or flat head syndrome, so are your hopes of Babywearing bliss now dashed? Definitely not! With a range of options and different styles of helmets and bands, parents can find a babywearing option that is comfortable and safe. In some cases babywearing is even used as a preventative measure to avoid flat head syndrome.
Babywearing Throughout History
This trend has gained popularity over the past twenty years and has become commonplace for moms around the world. Babywearing dates back centuries when busy mothers used things like long cloths, shawls, scarves and even bed sheets to hold baby while they attended to their other tasks. Peruvians mothers use a Manta, which sits over both shoulders like a cape where baby can sit high on their mother’s back. Alaskan and Canadian mothers carry babies in an Amauti, which is a thick arctic jacket with a ‘pocket’ for baby in the back. In this ancestral coat, baby fits under the over-sized hood.
Babywearing During Plagiocephaly Treatment
With the increase in popularity of babywearing, many different styles of slings and carriers have hit the market in recent years. Thirty years ago moms and dads had only a few options to carry baby on their back. Now we have a wide range of options to choose from. After a plagiocephaly diagnosis, it is important to find a babywearing option that does not interfere with the helmet or band. A wrap or carrier that allow babies head to have free movement and plenty of airflow would be most ideal. It might be necessary to try different options to see what works best for mom and baby. Also keep in mind that if Dad plans to babywear you may need different carriers to accommodate your different body types.
The Best Ways to Babywear During Plagiocephaly Treatment
Currently, there are five basic types of baby carriers:
- Wraps
- Slings
- Mei-tais (Pouch with a tied sash)
- Soft-structures
- Frame backpacks
The babywearing style you choose during the treatment phase depends on your personal preference of style, baby’s age and your body type. Moms who choose to wear their baby during treatment report that the three best styles are wraps, mei-tais or soft structured carriers. All three allow flexibility in the ways to carry baby and allow the helmet to be unobstructed as you move. Parents also have the option to carry baby in the front or on the back with all three. In each option baby can be worn close to provide the ability to adjust the carrier to offer the most comfort possible.
Babywearing is still very accessible, even after baby has been diagnosed with plagiocephaly. Many professionals cite babywearing as an excellent way to prevent and eliminate flat head syndrome because the head is constantly repositioned. If your baby has a less severe form of the condition babywearing might even be part of your treatment plan!
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