Ergonomic Carrying and The Importance of Ergonomics in Carrying Backpacks
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 backpack?
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 evenly distribute the weight of the baby and not put unnecessary pressure on your own back and shoulders. At Somomu, the cross back design is precisely for this purpose, so that the weight is distributed between both shoulders and hips and does not cause any pressure or discomfort to the parents.
But more importantly, it should hold your little one properly and securely and help promote healthy development.
And that means it has to properly support your little ones' spine, pelvis and hips.
What is an ergonomic baby carrier?
An ergonomic baby carrier supports babies' natural posture while promoting healthy hip development.
You should hold your legs up to the back of your knees, so that your entire legs do not dangle, but can move freely as they grow.
An ergonomic carrier must have a wide, comfortable base that properly supports the weight and should support the baby's hips and legs in a frog's legs or M-shape.
In this ergonomic position, your baby's bottom is lower than his knees, while his knees and hips are level with each other and the hips are open. This ensures that her hips are held firmly within the socket and her weight is evenly distributed.
It is also essential that the backpack grows with the little ones as in the following picture:
Ergonomic carrying, fundamental rules for safe carrying
These are the rules for safe babywearing:
Place the baby in the physiological position described. Ideally, in an upright position, since in a lying position the knees cannot be kept apart from each other. In addition, babies with reflux are uncomfortable lying down.
For a correct position of the back and hips, the baby's hips should be tilted forward, with its perineum partially supported by the adult, not supporting the entire pubis.
The baby carrier must be well tensioned, giving support to all the points of the back (if the baby falls to one side or becomes too rounded, it will have to be re-tightened).
The head of a newborn or sleeping baby should be firmly but gently held against the adult's body.
The chin must be separated 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's forehead is resting on the adult.
The baby's abdominal region must be in contact with the adult's body, never the side or the back. Thus, the adult's body prevents the baby's head from flexing towards the chest, avoiding the risk of suffocation.
The baby's face must always be visible.
The adult must make sure that the baby's mouth and nose do not hit 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 carrying backpacks to be ergonomic
https://sepeap.org/el-porteo-ergonomico-una-opcion-segura-para-transportar-a-los-recien-nacidos/Respetathe rules of safe carrying (physiological position of the baby, correct tension and fit, the abdominal region should be against the adult's body, head properly supported, airway clear).
The baby is at the correct height (the baby's buttocks should never go below the adult's umbilical region and, in small babies, the baby can be kissed comfortably on the head but not with the chin).
Adaptable back support, so that a baby with a higher degree of mobility can have greater freedom of movement. But it must always be possible to support the baby's entire back, up to the head, if sleeping.
Adapts to the baby's growth.
It must be comfortable for the carrier and easy to use.
*SOURCE: sepeap (Spanish society of out-of-hospital and primary care pediatrics).