Ergonomic Babywearing and The importance of ergonomics in baby carriers
You may have heard the phrase ergonomic babywearing but ... What does the phrase "ergonomic baby carrier" really mean and how important is it when choosing your carrier?
Good ergonomics in your baby carrier is extremely important. In fact, you have to keep in mind that it has to be comfortable for both you and your baby.
To do this, the carrier itself has to distribute the baby’s weight evenly and not place unnecessary pressure on your own back and shoulders. At Somomu, the crossed back design is precisely for this, so that the weight is shared between both shoulders and the hip and does not cause any pressure or discomfort for parents.
But more importantly, it must hold your little one properly and safely and help encourage their healthy development.
And this means that it has to support the spine, pelvis, and hips of your little ones correctly.
What is an ergonomic baby carrier?
An ergonomic baby carrier supports babies’ natural posture while encouraging healthy hip development.
It must support the legs to the back of the knees, so that the entire legs do not dangle, but they can move freely as they grow.
An ergonomic carrier must have a wide, comfortable base that properly supports the weight and must hold the baby’s hips and legs in a frog-leg position or M.
In this ergonomic position, the lower part of your baby is lower than their knees, while their knees and hips are level with each other and the hips are open. This ensures that the hips stay firmly within the socket and that their weight is distributed evenly.
It is also essential that the carrier grows with the little ones, as in the following photograph:
Ergonomic babywearing, fundamental rules for safe babywearing
These are the rules for safe babywearing:
Place the baby in the physiological position described. Ideally, upright, since in a lying position the knees cannot be kept apart from one another. In addition, babies with reflux are uncomfortable lying down.
For a correct back and hip position, the baby's hip must be tilted forward, with the perineum partially supported on the adult, not with the entire pubis supported.
The baby carrier must be kept well tightened, supporting all points of the back (if the baby falls to one side or rounds too much, it will need to be tightened again).
The head of the newborn or of a sleeping baby must be held firmly but gently against the adult's body.
The chin must be kept away from the sternum to avoid the risk of suffocation due to airway blockage. There must be space in the baby's nose for air to circulate, even if the baby has their forehead resting against the adult.
The baby's abdominal area must be in contact with the adult's body, never the side or the back. In this way, the adult's body prevents the baby's head from bending toward their chest, avoiding the risk of suffocation.
The baby's face must always be visible.
The adult must be very attentive to make sure that the mouth and nose are not pressed against the adult's body and that the baby's breathing is rhythmic.
*SOURCE: sepeap (Spanish Society of Out-of-Hospital and Primary Care Pediatrics
Requirements for baby carrier backpacks to be ergonomic
https://sepeap.org/el-porteo-ergonomico-una-opcion-segura-para-transportar-a-los-recien-nacidos/It follows the rules of safe babywearing (physiological position of the baby, correct tension and fit, the abdominal area must be against the adult's body, head correctly supported, airways clear).
The baby is at the correct height (the baby's bottom should never be below the adult's navel region and, in small babies, you should be able to give a comfortable kiss on the head but not touch it with your chin).
Adjustable back support, so that a baby with greater mobility can have more freedom of movement. But it must always be possible to support the baby's entire back, up to the head, if the baby falls asleep.
It adapts to the baby's growth.
It must be comfortable for the person carrying the baby and easy to use.
*SOURCE: sepeap (Spanish Society of Out-of-Hospital and Primary Care Pediatrics)