As I love to wear my baby, it took me to think of whether it's a good think to practice or not? Am I risking my baby in any way? So many question yet so little answer I knew of. Then, I came up to the idea of studying a baby's anatomy. Aduih, abah suruh jadi doktor dulu taknak, nak jugak belajar kimia. I need an informed decision rather than following the trend.
So, saya rasa a quick look at the development of a baby's anatomy is
useful in order to gain a greater understanding of how correct babywearing can
give your baby the best physical start in life. Bermulalah saya menggodeh Aunty Google bertanyakan tentang anatomi dan semulajadi bayi. I even read my sister's paediatric book. Kita start dengan spinal development or pembentukan tunjang anak.
SPINAL DEVELOPMENT
Whilst in the womb, a baby doesn't lie flat on its back;
rather its spine is rounded in a position of total kyphosis - a 'C' shape.
This is still the shape of the spine at birth - the baby has
no strength in any of the four sections of the spine at this time. Indeed, it
takes approximately 12 months - or until the time of walking - for the spine to
straighten and reach a point where its entire length is supported by strength
in the muscles, and the 'S' shape achieved.
The stages of muscle development in the spine are
characterised by a baby's ability to:
- hold its head upright and steady, usually at about three months - cervical lordosis
- sit upright unaided, somewhere between five and nine months - thoracic kyphosis
- walk unaided, at approximately 12-18 months - lumbar lordosis
A well fitting baby sling will support the baby's spinal
development at all stages. When using a woven wrap, for example, the wrap needs
to surround the baby like a firm bandage, holding the baby close to the parent
whilst allowing the rounding of the spine. Even once a baby has reached lumbar
lordosis stage, rounding will still occur during sleep, as the muscles
completely relax.
Basically, by wearing my baby I am maintaining the position of him while in the womb. I can't stand looking at a baby dangling, lebih2 lagi big baby and baby boy. mesti seksa kan..
HIP DEVELOPMENT
If you lift a newborn baby it will instinctively lift its
knees and spread its legs. It is, in essence, preparing itself to be worn
against the parent's (or carer's) body and has (all by itself!) adopted the
'froggy', or 'M' position (so-called because the knees are angled higher than
the bottom so, from the back, the child's knees, bottom and legs resemble a
letter 'M'). This is the optimal position in babywearing and, as it adopts this
position, the child's back also naturally rounds - the two are inextricably
linked.
In terms of hip development, this is important: the femoral
head - or hip bone - is still soft cartilage and has the potential to become
displaced. By allowing the infant to adopt and maintain the 'M' position, the
femoral head is placed correctly in the centre of the acetabulum - or hip
socket - thus encouraging normal, healthy hip development. Please do not carry your baby facing forward
It's a big no-no... She can't adopt her natural position,
but simply dangles just as if in a parachute harness. Additionally, she can't
escape from over-stimulation or snuggle into you for reassurance. If you feel
your baby would like a bit more of a 360 degree view of the world than a front
carry offers (and she is already sitting unaided), then a hip carry is a
perfect alternative.
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