Could "Crotch Dangler" Carriers Be Bad for My Baby?

Time doesn't stand still after a baby is born, even though parents might like it to. There's still work to be done, errands to run and projects to finish. Most babies love being held close. In fact, some babies have a difficult time coping when they're put down and may become very stressed. Regardless of how stressed baby may become when she isn't being held, mom and dad still have things they need to do. This is where a baby carrier may come in handy. Some parents, such as Unwirklich Vin Zant, didn't find baby carriers to be very helpful. "I never found [them] of use, no matter their style... My kids are just too wiggly for them." Other parents, such as Carrissa England, couldn't imagine life without her baby carrier. "If I hadn't had my baby carrier, I don't know how I would have got anything done. My daughter practically lived in it her first year of life."

Benefits of Baby-Wearing
Baby carriers can be helpful by keeping the baby close and happy, while allowing mom and dad to get things done. According to Dr. Sears, baby-wearing has numerous benefits. One of the most recognized benefits is that the child cries less, but Sears also claims that a child who is worn spends more time learning, and is better able to regulate their body systems. Sears believes that babies who are worn are not only happier, but smarter and better socialized that those who are not.

The Controversial Carrier
Baby carriers can be immensely helpful, but there's disagreement in the baby-wearing world when it comes to the use of one particular style of baby carrier.This particular style is one of the most widely marketed baby carriers and suspends the child from their crotch either facing toward or away from their parent. This type of carrier is often referred to as a "crotch dangler." These carriers are available in countless brands and colors. Some of the most popular brands include Baby Bjorn, Infantino and Snuggli. Because of the wide availability of these carriers in local department stores, these are usually what people think of when they think of baby carriers.

"Crotch dangler" carriers have been around for decades and are obtained relatively cheap, both new and second hand. These carriers are usually simple to use, including a couple buckles and adjustable straps. With most of these carriers, the child can be worn facing away from the parent or toward the parent. In some models, the carrier can even be worn on the parent's back.

The Opposition
Many baby-wearing advocates warn against the use of "crotch danglers" due to the stress these type of carriers place on the child's spine and hips. When a child is being worn in this type of carrier, pay close attention to the way that the child's back, hips and legs are aligned. Also note the width of the material between the child's legs. This material is typically wide, appearing to spread the legs further apart than they naturally would when being held.

When basic anatomy and physiology are taken into consideration, it isn't difficult to see how these types of carriers could place stress on a child's skeletal system. The human spine contains many curves and experts speculate that the unnaturally rigid position these carriers force the child's body into may cause stress on the child's spine. This stress could possibly result in the shifting of the child's center of balance, and lead to even further spinal stress.

Lastly, the design of these carriers, despite marketing claims, is not very ergonomic. Just as when you're lifting something, it's important to take body mechanics and weight distribution into account. The best way to carry an object to prevent injury and strain, is as close to the body as possible. The closer toward the body an object is, the easier the object is to carry. This includes a child in a carrier. A "crotch dangler" carrier does poorly in distributing the child's weight across the front of the body, and instead focuses the stress of the child's weight on the shoulders and upper back of the wearer.

Choosing A Good Carrier
No baby carrier is perfect and what may work for one person may not work for another. There are many different types of baby carriers available, each with their own unique features. Every type of carrier has both positive and negative points to consider. Some carriers are more difficult to to use or more expensive, while some may be uncomfortable or unattractive.

When selecting a baby carrier, the most important thing to consider, aside from the safety and stability of the carrier, is how the carrier positions the child. Ideally, a baby carrier should hold the child in the same position the child would naturally assume when being held without a carrier. This position is likely to be more comfortable for the child, and allows for proper hip flexion while maintaining the natural curvatures of the spine.

There is no one-size-fits-all baby carrier, but when choosing a carrier, parents should consider more than just the carrier's price or local availability. If possible, trying different carriers out can be helpful in making a decision. Many specialty baby boutiques carry a variety of carriers and will allow customers to test the different types. By testing different styles, parents may get a better idea as to which carriers are more comfortable for them, as well as which carriers allow the child to remain in a natural and comfortable position.