If you feel bombarded by baby wearing information, you are not alone. The many options on the market today can make it hard to choose. Obviously, I have some bias in this regard, but let me present my case for the babyTrekker.
I designed the carrier in 1987 for my second daughter, Michelle, who was just a few months old. My goal was to create one that would be comfortable for both of us, safe for her, and capable of multiple positions. In the babyTrekker we could nurse, go backpacking and clean the whole house together. My husband and I carried Michelle and our next daughter, Mari, well into toddlerhood. Our oldest daughter, Hilary, now uses it for her children, Claire and Charlotte, who are featured on our home page.
There is so much information about 'correct' baby wearing. A number of years ago a popular sling company suggested that infants needed to lie down in order to develop properly, to avoid subluxations of the spine.That idea was put to rest by the fact that its easier for them to breath when they're upright and not enfolded too deeply in the fabric. There is still a place for slings as long as babies sit high in them, though its important that their legs be separated.
The next stumbling block for parents was the idea that infants should never face away in a carrier. Babies, according to some, become overstimulated and have no way of escaping the stimulus. Parents of infants who love to face out have been discounted as being uneducated or uninformed. This year, the Ergo baby carrier acknowledged what the rest of us have known for a while. Some babies like to see what's going on. This does not mean that they don't need lots of cuddling and eye contact with mom and dad. My middle daughter was one of the babies who liked a bit of a view. At twenty-seven, she is outgoing, gregarious and loves to be right in the middle of things.
Being a new parent in this day and age is hard, in spite of all the modern conveniences. Instant information via the internet leaves many of us feeling as if danger is all around. That this is untrue doesn't matter. It creates a state of anxiety that is impossible to quell, given the bombardment of conflicting information.
Here is what I know to be true. There are no carriers on the market that are going to 'cause' your baby to have hip dyslplasia, as long as they're legs are separated sufficiently and they are seated in a comfortable position. Ask any orthopedic pediatric surgeon and she'll tell you this is so. She'll tell you not to swaddle your baby with their legs together, a practice that may harm babies who are vulnerable to this condition. Many women of my generation have arthritis in their hips and often need joint replacements. None that I know of were worn in carriers. But we were all swaddled for months.
Let common sense reign. The babyTrekker has some advantages for both parent and baby. There is no infant insert needed, which means the carrier is easier to put on and much cooler as well, since the sides are well ventilated. The newborn sits in the u-shaped seat with their legs elevated against the wearer's stomach. The spread is wide but not uncomfortably so. Once the baby is three months old or so, they can face out and still experience the support of a deep seat.
Parents benefit from the wide shoulder straps and waistband which hold the baby in position while supporting the wearer's back and shoulders. The variety of positions offers lots of alternatives. Please feel free to write to me at judy@babytrekker.com if you'd like more in depth information. Happy Trekking!
