„Born to be carried"
Katrin Ratazzi, babywearing consultant from Germany
Babywearing Katrin Ratazzi from Langen, Hessen, on wraps, mei tais and „the most natural activity in the world“.
Strollers and prams have dominated the world of baby transportation for a long time. Are we now beginning to reinvent babywearing in Europe?
Strollers have only existed for the past 150 years. What do you think women did before they were invented? I have seen old photographs where women are carrying their children in simple slings, tied around their shoulders and hips. My 92- year old neighbor saw me with my baby on my back and said, „If only I had kept my babywearing coat!“. This coat belonged to her mother as well.
Wasn't babywearing something for people, for example for working on the fields?
People have always worn their babies, as far back as we can research this area. Humans are born to be carried. Over 80% of the world population carries their babies, for example in South America, in Africa and in Asia.
And is that good for the babies?
Unbelievably good. The baby smells his mother, she is always close by. He can hear her voice and her heartbeat in the same way as before the birth.
And how is that for the mother?
She can keep an eye on her baby. Many mothers prefer to keep their babies very close. This was they can do so much more, for example tending to older children. And the housework doesn't get done by itself, either. A mother can become much more independent after the birth of her child by carrying her in a wrap or a baby carrier
You mention wraps and baby carriers. What is the difference?
We babywearing consultants distinguish between wraps and baby carriers. Baby carriers all all of the different kinds of carriers, for example mei tais, that are not wraps.
Back to babywearing: can there ever be too much of a good thing?
This is one of those questions that get asked again and again. How long can I wear my baby during a day? The answer is: as long as it is OK for the mother and the child.
What about newborns?
Newborns can be carried right from the start. You can carry it right out of the hospital on your chest or on your back. There are no limits.
Are there any situations where this might not be true?
It is important to look closely at the situation by pre-term and developmentally challenged babies. How stable is the child? Is he still in the hospital or is he home? There are special slings for babies that have been born pre-term.
Isn't babywearing difficult, especially with infants?
No, not when properly wrapped. That is what babywearing consultants are for. A properly tied carrier must be right for the age of the child and also work well for the parent. For example, it can be helpful for new mothers with heavier babies to wear them in the middle of the chest. This takes the weight off of the spinal column.
Wraps seem so complicated. All of that cloth, thousands of knots, thousands of variations....?
A wrap is very individual. It can be worn in all kinds of ways because there are so many different variations. Later it can even be used as a blanket or a hammock. It fits for every position and even up to 20 kg.
I hear of this concern a lot. A mei tai would probably be a good alternative. It is not a 100% replacement of a wrap, but it is pretty much just as comfortable. A mei tai is very easy to use. That is something dads appreciate!
But your first choice would be a wrap?
I don't make generalizations. I try to look at each case individually. Some people just can't deal with a wrap. I prefer it if people use a mei tai or something else rather than not wear their baby at all. Then I recommend a mei tai for newborns, but it must sit properly.
And how would that be?
The bottom has to be adjustable. The width of the bottom of the mei tai from knee to knee, where the baby sits, needs to be wide enough to support the „Bent-Straddle“ position. The legs should not be forced out to wide or hang down. The back should be slightly rounded. This position supports the development of the hips and can even help in cases of misalignment. Some doctors will even recommend carrying a baby in cases of malformed hips.
[note from bumbaumel: our mei tais are designed for use with newborns without any kind of adjustable base. Newborns take on a „froggie“ position with knees bent inside the mei tai.]
Babywearing seems to be a science in and of itself, with many different opinions. Do parents really need a babywearing consultant? In Asia and Africa the women probably would not have this possibility.
They have their parents at home. Often the families are living with three, four, even five generations under one roof. The knowledge is shared in the family. And most families have many children, so that the bigger children have already had experience carrying their siblings.
Do you feel that babywearing is natural?
It is the most natural activity in the world.
[Questions: Anke Engelmann]
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