The Close Baby Carrier can be used for new-borns through to 2 year old babies in a variety of positions. The carrier comes in its own storage pouch that doubles as a wrap to give additional support in some of the positions.
FOR NEW-BORNS
Position 1
New-born baby lying down in the carrier, side-on as though in a hammock. A perfect position for nursing your baby, and for baby to sleep.
Position2
For carrying your new born-baby in an upright position. Excellent support and comfort.
FOR OLDER BABIES
Position 3
For babies 4 months old and above. Upright facing towards the parent. Use the additional wrap for extra support as required.
Position 4
Baby upright, and facing out. Suitable for babies over 6 months old with good neck and head control. Use of the additional wrap is recommended for extra support.
Position 5
For babies of about 12 months and over. Using the carrier the other way round to the previous positions. This position gives greater comfort for older babies.
The Story behind the Close Baby Carrier
What it is and how it transformed Close creator Claire Scott’s life
The creator of the Close Baby carrier, Claire Scott says 'Like many mums, I loved my new baby but often found life isolating, frustrating and hard work. So when I became pregnant with my second child, I decided that something had to change. I began investigating parenting techniques and found one which transformed my life; allowing me to successfully combine parenting with an active social life and the impetus to set up my own business around the needs of my young family. Six years on from discovering Baby Carrying and working with several parents on how best to adopt the principals, I am evangelical about Baby Carrying and the huge benefits it brings to families and society as a whole.'
Working with Channel 4 on a study of parenting techniques based on The Continuum Concept, Claire Scott has been putting Baby Carrying to the test with some of the families featured in the programme. The series is called ‘Bringing Up Baby’ (launched on Channel 4 on 25th September 2007). You can read in depth all about the concept and how to incorporate it into modern life on www.clairescott.info
Baby Carrying - What is it?
In a nut shell, Baby Carrying believes that your baby benefits hugely by being carried for as much of her early life as possible. Not necessarily by the mum, but by dad, other members of the family and friends. This is not a new ‘fad’. For many years, anthropologists have been recording how children are raised in traditional communities compared to those in post-industrial societies and one of the more obvious difference is how often babies are held, carried and touched.
In the UK babies spend on average two-thirds of their time alone, distanced in car seats, bouncy chairs, prams, cots or swings; compared to many cultures where babies are carried in slings, without being put down, for the first 6 months of their life.
Baby Carrying - What are the benefits?
Far from being limiting, wearing a sling is in fact hugely empowering. Practically it leaves both two hands free to get on with other things and it dispenses with the need for prams and buggies, so out and about is easier and more spontaneous. Also because your baby can eat, sleep and be entertained in a sling, the baby fits around your life, not you around hers as so often the case. How many times were you late for a doctor appointment or coffee with a friend because your baby was still sleeping?
Breastfeeding is also easier because your baby has constant unfettered access. Indeed having your baby close also stimulates increased levels of Prolactin which has the effect of stimulating the breast to produce and sustain milk production after birth.
Babies love to be held. They thrive on the closeness of being near another adult. They are comforted by the heartbeat and naturally rocked by the motion of the body. By having your baby close, you tune into her needs and can respond instinctively, resulting in a baby that is happy and content. This greatly reduced significant the bouts of crying. Also because they are near, parents give their babies more touch and intimacy by kissing and stroking them at regular intervals. This happens instinctively and parents often don’t realise they are doing it, but the benefits to baby are huge.
Many parents are amazed at how quickly they bond with their baby by following the Baby Carrying principals. Dads, grandparents, aunts and uncles all enjoy wearing the baby and the baby feels more secure with other adults as the closeness, heartbeat and movement are constant.
Babies who are carried also interact much more with the world. They are held up high, where they can see, hear and absorb activities and then simply doze off when sleepy. This has been proven to help them develop intellectually. It involves them in experiences and conversations that babies lying in a pram simply aren't exposed to.
Baby Carrying - Why we must change?
The Johnson's Baby report "Power of Touch" in 2004 suggested babies are suffering from a mild form of sensory deprivation, because of the excessive use of car seats and prams. More than eight in ten mothers in the UK use a pushchair to transport a baby, rather than carrying them in a sling.
Furthermore Positional Plagiocephaly, or flat head syndrome, is on the increase and babies being left to lie flat on their backs or for extended periods of time in car seats of prams is almost certainly a contributing factor.
So Baby Carrying is totally safe?
Absolutely but do take time to choose your sling carefully as not all slings provide the correct support for a newborn baby. An over the shoulder sling is perfect for newborn use where the baby is lying down in a foetal position, exactly how they were in the womb. When the baby is old enough to support her own head (around the 4 - 6 month mark) the baby can be held in an upright position.
The Close Baby Carrier is designed so that your baby can be worn from birth in an upright position because they are supported entirely from underneath their bottom, all the way up their spines to the top of their head. This means that the baby can be worn safely for long periods of time. It is organic, fully adjustable and because it has wide straps that fit over both shoulders it is extremely comfortable for the wearer.
Baby Carrying gives you the power to trust your own instincts
Baby Carrying is based on instinctual parenting. Having your baby close to you, or somebody you trust and by being so in tune to your baby that you respond to her needs with confidence, without the needs for guides, various pieces of equipment or indeed advise from others, will result in a happier baby and a more empowered and confident mum.
Parents choosing to following the baby carrying concept can be reassured that they are parenting in a style that, according to extensive anthropological and psychological evidence, raises physically and emotionally healthy children.
Baby Carrying – where to go for support
There are many support groups that parents can contact, for example, La Leche League and Natural Nurturing Network. On line forums, like The Continuum Concept www.continuum-concept.org is also a good place to find out more information.
