Mod Mum

Wintertime normally brings a lot of flu’s, bugs, and colds. This year, however, I find myself faced with worries about the H1N1 Flu, or the Swine Flu. With young babies it is important to protect your family from getting sick if you can help it.

Make sure you wash your hands. Washing hands will prevent spreading an illness if you have it. Be sure to wash your hands with soap and water, or antibacterial lotion, every time you cough or sneeze.

Try not to touch your eyes and mouth around a baby. These two places are main transmitters for germs. If you have a habit of biting your fingernails be sure to wash your hands after.

Cough or sneeze in to a tissue or elbow. If you do it in a tissue you can throw it away and get rid of the germs. Try not to cough in to your hand.

If you know someone is sick, don’t go around them. If your friends want to have a play date but their kids are sick ask to reschedule. Even a runny nose with out a fever can be harmful to a baby.

When you go out in public wear baby in a baby carrier. A baby carrier allows you to be close to your baby and you can turn your back to people who sneeze more readily than you can a stroller. You will also be less likely to have a stranger go up to see your baby if you are carrying her close to you in a baby carrier or wrap than you would a baby in a car seat or stroller.

Clean your toys. Take out your toys and keep them clean. Sanitize them right after an ill child plays with them especially. You don’t want to spread the old germs, and you also do not want to spread the new ones.

If your child comes home from school or church sick do your best to keep them away from your baby. You can wear your baby in a baby carrier around the home to avoid them playing with the same items. Try to keep them away from each other at least one full day after the sick child’s fever breaks or flu-like symptoms end.

Baby slings can be an amazing tool for any mother or caregiver, and they have many benefits for babies. Just like any other product, it is important to use your sling correctly. Positioning your baby correctly can play an important role in how your baby sling is used.

Recently the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission issued a warning to parents and caregivers about the way they position infants in baby slings. This warning was specifically made for infants under four months old. There was no recall for the baby slings, but they did want to stress the importance of making sure your infant is positioned correctly in the sling to lower the risk of harm to your infant.

We recently posted a blog article about safety guidelines that should be used when wearing a baby in a sling. In that blog article we explain different ways you can position your baby, and how your sling should fit you. It is an excellent resource for safety guidelines.

baby sling

It is very important, especially for infants under 4 months old, to be positioned the right way so they can breathe properly. Babies under 4 months have weak neck muscles and are less able to control their heads than babies that are older. Since sling fabric is meant to stretch, it is important to position your child so you can see their nose and mouth.

We also warned in our blog article not to position babies where their chin reaches their chest. Babies can have a difficult time breathing this way. If your baby moves to this position simply adjust their position so they are more flat. If your child needs more support consider using a small receiving blanket behind their neck so that you do not have their chest on their chin.

Baby slings are a convenient way to nurse your baby. When you nurse your baby with your sling remember to change the baby’s position after the feeding. You want to be sure that your baby’s head is facing up at you, and that baby’s face is clear of your body and the sling material.

When wearing your baby the correct way it is easy to see them. Be sure to check on the baby often. This is a good habit to learn as a parent, regardless of whether they are in a baby carrier or not.

As mentioned before, no two baby slings are made the same. Mod Mom is committed to providing the safest and most comfortable slings out there. Use your sling safely so you and your baby can benefit from babywearing and bonding together.

Not all baby slings are made alike and Mod Mum is committed to providing the safest and most comfortable baby slings for moms and babies. The recently recalled Infantino slings are often referred to as “bag” style slings. They have always seemed as unnatural to us as using a bag to carry your baby. This style of sling is carried far to low, with the baby far too deep in the pouch.

Mod Mum Baby Slings are designed to support baby’s neck and spine, while being carried in a slightly upright position. Our sling mimics the natural positions that you would carry your baby in your arms. Your baby is snug against you with the ability to make eye contact at all times.

As with any baby product, using common sense with safety is the most important thing.

Check out our article on using a baby sling safely on our blog at: http://www.modmum.com/blog/baby-sling-safety/baby-sling-safety-guidelines/

If you have wearing or safety questions, we are always happy to help. Give us a call and we would love to chat!

Mod Mum Customer Service – 303-910-2200

Reflux, or spitting up, is very common among babies. Many people assume that it is a part of life and eventually babies will outgrow it. While it is true that most babies outgrow it, it is not true that there is nothing parents can do about it.

Many people feel that wearing your baby close to you helps with reflux. Positioning your baby in an upright position in a baby wrap or sling helps relieve your baby of reflux symptoms. Baby wearing provides an excellent way to comfort babies that have symptoms of reflux as well, such as crying for a long amount of time.

Medical professionals agree that keeping babies upright for thirty minutes right after the baby eats helps them not spit up. Using a baby sling or baby wrap helps parents accomplish this. The added bonus with the baby wrap is that parents do not need to compromise their time simply holding the baby, but they can have their hands free to get work done.

A baby sling is calmer for your baby than a baby swing. Baby seats and baby bouncers also do not help with reflux because they add pressure to the stomach. Carrying your baby, on the other hand, keeps baby calm and relaxed while you move about.

Babywearing can accomplish a lot in regards to your baby. When walking around with your baby make sure you do not bounce baby the first half hour after he eats. Bouncing baby can cause acid to build up around baby and cause your baby irritation.

If your baby is suffering from acid reflux wearing your baby in a baby wrap or sling can help baby have better digestion. A wrap also allows for discreet feeding. Giving your baby frequent, small feedings help promote less reflux as well.

Babywearing also helps babies sleep. Reflux often makes babies cranky and sad. Wearing baby in a baby sling can help baby sleep longer and more peacefully.

If your baby has reflux speak to your doctor about solutions. You do not have to deal with constant reflux all day long. There are ways you can help.

The last few weeks of pregnancy seem to drag on for many mothers. It is hard to wait for the baby when that is the one thing you are hoping for, and is made even worse when your due date comes and goes and no baby arrives. Here are a few activities you can do to keep yourself busy while you wait for baby to finally arrive:

1. Clean your home. The nesting instinct may already have set in. Usually, if that is the case, cleaning your home will not only make you feel happier, but it will be a fun activity for you to help keep your mind off your baby that has not decided to come yet.

2. Go baby shopping. Get out of the house and buy something fun for the baby. A good choice is to buy a baby sling or baby carrier. Baby slings are a good choice to have before the baby comes because you will be able to use them when the baby is a newborn. Baby slings are very convenient too when you have another child at home. Your hands will be full taking care of two or more children, and a baby sling can be help keep your hands free while you get meals ready or get children out the door for school.

3. Take the opportunity to go out with your husband. Spend some quality time with him while you have the chance. Things get pretty exhausting and busy once the baby arrives, so spending quality time with your husband, and children if you already have some, is a good idea.

4. Take time to pamper yourself. Your new baby is going to be demanding a lot from you, especially in the first few months of his life. Go to a salon and get your nails and hair done. Many day spas offer great prenatal massages too.

5. Write down your feelings. Waiting for your baby to arrive is one emotional journey. Keep a journal about your pregnancy and share how you spent your last days before becoming a mother.

6. Read a good book. Great books are a great way to keep your mind off of dealing with the “waiting” game that comes the last few weeks of pregnancy. Books offer you hours of entertainment and distraction, rather than a good movie. Ask friends or family members to recommend good books that you might enjoy to read.

7. Exercise. Exercise is good for the baby and good for you. It also releases natural endorphins in your body, which can help with the late-pregnancy moodiness.

Mod Mum Baby Slings believes baby slings are the most natural and comfortable way for you to carry your baby. Please use common sense when carrying your baby in your baby sling. Here are some important tips from Mod Mum to use your baby sling safely.

Baby Sling Safety Guidelines

• When carrying a newborn up to 4 months, be careful not to allow your newborn’s chin to rest on his or her chest as it can restrict their breathing. This is often referred to as a C-like position. If you see your newborn’s chin against their chest, simply adjust them into a more flat position in the sling.
• For additional support of your newborns neck, you can easily place a small folded receiving blanket behind baby’s neck to keep their chin off of their chest.
• Remember that in all carries, your baby should mimic the same position that you would naturally hold them in. For the cradle carry, your baby should be in the same position they would naturally be cradled in your arms. Your baby’s body should be positioned just below your breasts with their head lying on the top of your breast. For the hip carry, your baby should be at the same height you would hold them on your hip without a sling.
• Your baby sling should fit you and your baby nice and snug. Your baby should be high enough on your body that you should be able to snuggle and kiss the top of their head. If your baby slumps down in your sling in an unnatural position or if you feel like you need to hold on to your baby to keep them from falling out of the sling, you will need a smaller size. Another sign of your sling being too large is if you are leaning or moving quickly, your baby will feel like they are swinging away from you. Remember that the bottom of your sling should hit within 2 inches of your belly button when carrying your baby. Ensuring proper fit of your sling will give you and your baby optimal comfort and safety.
• Always ensure the fabric of the sling or your clothing never covers your baby’s face. Your baby should be facing upright. When using your sling, you should be able to see your babies face make eye contact in order to ensure they are safe and snug.
• While getting comfortable using the sling, you can keep one hand on your child for safety.
• Be aware of your surroundings with your child in the pouch. Watch for anything that might obtrude, that could possibly come into contact with your baby while in their pouch.
• Do not put anything but your child in the sling, as small objects within their reach can always pose a choking hazard when they are within reach.
• Never cook, or stand close to open flames while wearing baby in the sling.
• The Mod Mum Baby sling can safely carry a child up to 35 pounds. (Generally a 3-4 year old)
• Once your child starts reaching for objects, be aware of potentially dangerous objects within reach of your baby or toddler’s hands.
• Before each use, ensure that the fabric and seams are in good condition. If there are areas that look worn or frayed do not use it. If your sling is not in good condition we can no longer assure the integrity of the sling or pouch.

As with any baby product, using your sling safely is the most important thing. Not all baby slings are made alike and Mod Mum is committed to providing the safest and most comfortable sling for moms and babies.
From sizing questions, to help with how to use your baby sling, we are happy to help with any questions you may have. Please contact our baby sling experts at 303-910-2200 for anything you may need.
Please be sure to watch our instructional and safety videos at:
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“A recent research study replicated a study done in the 1940’s, in which psychological researchers asked kids age 3, 5, and 7 to do a number of exercises…Today’s 5 year olds were acting at a level of 3 year olds, 60 years ago, and today’s 7 year olds were barely approaching the level of the 5 year old (1, 4, 5).” In the 1940’s, children were reported to walk at 8-12 months of age, now children are reported to begin walking at 12-15 months of age (2). Realistically speaking that is only a generation ago; that’s a huge decline in functional performance in a relatively short time span.

I found this phenomenon to be most interesting and also terrifying. Many considerations were outlined as possible causes, including genetics, birth process, nutrition, change in parenting, information gap, lack of play, overly structured childcare, etc. However, one plausible contributing factor called “containerization of infants” seemed an obvious and early implication for this trend. I decided to research this topic further and was astounded by what I found.

Containerization of infants is defined as “confining them to strollers, playpens, high chairs, and car/infant seats for hours at a time.” Developmental delays in motor milestones such as rolling over, crawling, and walking can occur with this type of confinement (3). It is, of course, recommended that parents interact with infants in daily physical activities that promote exploration. Explorative play is an important part of child development as play becomes the cornerstone of learning about the body, the environment, and how the self relates to the world. The environment provides the motivation for movement through visual interest – and movement provides the brain constant feedback regarding body in space, muscle use, touch, and hand-eye coordination.

Many parents are not even aware of how much their infants have become containerized. We live in a day in age where both parents work, people have extremely busy schedules, and technology and more products have allowed us to continue the rigors of daily living with a baby in tote. For example a mother can place her baby in an infant seat, get ready to go out, take that infant seat and attach it as a car seat, drive to a destination, take the seat out of the car and place it in a grocery cart for easy shopping, place the seat back in the car, drive home. It’s a convenience that is hard to beat and mothers can be seen anywhere holding their babies via plastic handle. However, from the perspective of the baby – there is low motor stimulation, virtually no positional changes, low or unchanging touch stimulation, and visual stimulation that is limited to a continuum of ceiling, potentially for several hours a day.

To fully grasp this containerization theory and compare the babies of today to the babies of higher functioning yesteryear, it is most imperative to take a look at each of the senses separately:
The vestibular system is the unifying system, giving us a sense of where we stand; movement stimulates the “vestibule” in the inner ear (1). Vestibular stimulus involves the movement of head through space including linear, angular, orbital, and rotary directions (6). In other words, as movement takes place the brain is processing information about where the body is in space. With regard to containerization theory, babies that spend too much time in containers would not experience movement to the degree that is required for learning and developing gravitational security. Gravitational security is feeling safe during movement with a confident idea of where your body is in space.

The proprioceptive system refers to sensory messages about the position, force, direction, and movement of body parts. Our muscles/joints send messages to the brain as they contract, stretch, bend, and straighten. This gives us a “position sense” (1). Containerized babies tend to remain in one position only or with movement allowed to take place on only one plane. There is little opportunity for meaningful changes in position that allow for muscular input/output. Babies naturally tend to engage in yoga-like moves as they learn to roll, crawl, walk, etc; containers simply do not allow for this type of innate mind-body exercise.

The tactile system includes temperature and texture. This system is designed to alert us to threats and gives the body boundaries – it is the basis for body image (6). The tactile system of a containerized baby is likely under-stimulated with a typical social input being experienced to a much lesser degree.

The visual system involves the left and right brain working together to produce visual-spatial processing skills (1). While acuity is often thought of first with regard to vision, being able to process lighting, likenesses/differences, spatial relationships, and the tracking of moving objects is also imperative. Containerization for long periods of time may not offer appropriate visual stimuli, depending on the position of baby in the carrier and the position of the carrier itself.

Orientation and organization of these senses are required for development of skills later in life. Children need to interpret vestibular information in order to develop postural control, balance, cross midline, discriminate between left/right, and understand concepts such as up/down, in front/behind. Proprioceptive information requires correct interpretation in order to maintain upright posture, motor plan body movements, grasp with appropriate pressure, and use the right amount of muscle force during daily activities. Development of the tactile system allows for the detection of size, form, contour, texture, and movement across the skin; functional implications being to tolerate clothing, unexpected social touch, bathing, haircuts, dental care, etc. (7) And the visual system is imperative to not only acuity, but fixation, depth perception, peripheral awareness, and saccades; these are functional requirements for motor coordination, safety, and successful navigation through a community setting.

As we look back at how infants were cared for one to two generations ago, we can imagine that infants had much more exposure to movement and seeing the world from changing angles and depths. It is more likely that a mother of generations ago would put her baby in one arm or on her hip and go about her day; the baby at that point experiences several positional changes from the mother’s body moving, as well as from the mother likely changing holds on the baby. In this manner, the baby is then experiencing changing vestibular and proprioceptive inputs that are natural to a mother’s movement and gravitational force. Baby-carrying provides the elements of pressure, motion, pleasure, warmth, security, sound that is essential to the development of the vestibular nervous system (8). Seeing the world from varying angles is experienced – not only via changes in position in space by being carried, but also by moving closer and further away from objects of fixation as the mother moves. Touch could be characterized as constant, with fluctuations in pressure, quick/light touches, friction, and temperature. Carrying a baby offers realistic sensory inputs natural to human and environmental experience, while containers often shield these inputs from becoming a part of neurological growth.
Carrying your baby at all times or leaving him/her unattended is certainly not the answer – everything in moderation is the key to a successful and holistic plan. Carrying, tummy time, sitting time, rest (potentially per container), and physical play with opportunity to move about are all equally important. Containers can offer safety and convenience at important times, yet the long-term implications of overuse are dramatic and a factor that is quite obviously changing our population as a whole.

A little background on Brandi:

Brandi Breitbach, MOTR/L

* Graduate of the University of North Dakota: Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy
* National Board Certified Occupational Therapist
* North Dakota licensure
* Areas of Interest/Special Training: Sensory Integration

Resources:
(1) Effective Neurological Management of Sensory Processing Disorder, Course Workbook, www.crosscountryeducation.com, Written & Presented by Charlene Young, OTR/L, CEAS.
(2) Young, Charlene. Speaker notes.
(3) National Association for Sport and Physical Education
(4) Education Advocate, A Publication of the Commonwealth Education Organization. May/June 2008, Vol. 9, No. 3
(5) Speigel, Alex. Old-Fashioned Play Builds Serious Skills. www.npr.org
(6) Autism Society of Michigan
(7) Understanding Sensory Processing/Integration with Remediation Strategies for the Home/School Environment, Course Workbook, Written by Cynthia Ann Clemens, OTR/L.
(8) 43 Reasons to Carry Your Baby http://www.instinctiveparenting.com/flex/43_reasons_to_carry_your_baby/73/1

We have had numerous requests recently on information for using a pouch style baby sling with twins. There is nothing easy about caring for two children at once, and we hope that getting your hands back for any amount of time will make your life a little easier!  Moms love the idea of the simplicity of pouch style baby slings, and we would love to give a little direction on how to use them.  We are always here to help moms simplify their life, and with twins on the way, you will need all the help that you can get!

Here are few pictures of a moms with twins who purchased slings from us.  They were was amazed at how easy and comfortable it was to hold both babies and toddlers!

Here is a mom that we met in Midway, UT who was so thrilled to be able to carry her infants in two baby slings.  After putting the first baby into the sling, she was able to slide the baby sling to her side to allow space for the other baby.  After putting on the second sling and cradling her infant into the second sling she slid it to the other side until both babies felt comfortable and secure.

Here is another mom we met in Sandy, UT who had twins who were about 6 months old.  They are at the age where they enjoy sitting upright and looking out at their world.  We suggested the hip carry for her girls.  She was amazed at how comfortable it was to hold both of her girls at once.  She put the first sling on and helped her daughter into the sling.  Then she was able to add the other sling to her opposite shoulder and put her sister in!  The girls loved being in eye contact with each other and with mom.

The wonderful thing about our baby carriers, is that you can use them to carry your two kids for about 3 years.  They truly do grow with your child, carrying them in a variety of comfortable positions as they grow.  From infant to toddler you can have the ease and comfort of carrying your kids around while keeping your arms free to get everything else in your life done!

Just like everything else with twins, you will have to buy two slings in order to carry both children.  However, with the separate slings you also have the option of only using one sling and carry one child while someone else uses the other sling to carry the other child!

If you feel like you need some additional help with how to use a baby sling or just need help your baby sling size, do not hesitate to contact our customer service experts at 303-910-2200!  We are always happy to help!