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Today, using baby carriers has become a common practice for parents on a daily basis. These carriers help mothers free their hands to manage household chores while still being able to keep an eye on their baby. However, improper use of carriers can negatively impact the health and development of babies in ways that many parents may not realize, such as discomfort or hip dysplasia.
Here, Mytour will point out 10 common mistakes that parents often make when using baby carriers so that mothers can take timely measures!
1. Buying the Wrong Size Carrier
One of the most common reasons parents make mistakes is choosing the wrong size baby carrier. This behavior can have serious consequences and pose dangers to the baby during movement. The best way to ensure the right size carrier is to try it on the baby when purchasing to see if it fits properly. Parents should also remember that the carrier or wrapping device for the baby should not be too large or too small, too loose or too tight, but rather it should be appropriate and snug.
2. Ignoring the Instruction Manual
Common Mistakes Parents Often Make When Carrying Babies
It's a common mistake for parents to be subjective about the knowledge in accompanying manuals and immediately start using carriers for their babies without realizing they're carrying them incorrectly. The seemingly simple knowledge in instruction manuals will help you learn the most accurate way to carry your baby, as well as various ways to carry your baby with the product you have in hand.
3. Carrying the Baby Too Loosely
Carrying the baby loosely not only poses a danger to the baby but also makes you more tired every time you carry the baby. The best way to check the tightness of the carrier is to press on the baby's back. If the baby's back moves far away from you, it means the carrier is not tight enough. Parents should adjust the straps accordingly whenever necessary.
4. Neglecting While Carrying the Child
Many parents get too absorbed in other tasks while carrying their child, forgetting that they are carrying their little child, making it difficult to avoid accidents that may occur because the baby can wriggle, causing the fasteners to slip off or bumping into things. Parents should pay more attention to the safety of their baby when carrying them, especially when it comes to tasks like cooking with hot stoves, electrical appliances, etc., to ensure the best protection for their child.
5. Concealing Baby's Face in the Carrier
Many parents, fearing their baby might fall, carry their baby too tightly in the carrier, causing the baby's face to press against your body, potentially leading to suffocation. When using the carrier, parents should maintain a position and distance that allows them to see the baby's face and never cover the baby's head with fabric.
6. Failing to Support Baby's Neck
This is a common issue with newborns. For babies in the first few months of life, their heads and necks are still very weak and lack the necessary muscles to support their heads, often causing them to slump backward if not properly supported. This can significantly affect the baby's health and development. Therefore, when choosing a carrier for a newborn, parents should select one equipped with neck support for the baby. If the carrier you purchased does not have neck support, then when using it, parents should support the delicate neck of the baby themselves!
7. Allowing Baby's Legs to Dangle
Parents should remember never to carry the baby in a position where their legs are left dangling freely, as this can put the baby at risk of developing hip dysplasia. This can lead to foot deformities and affect the baby's overall development. The ideal position for carrying your baby is in a frog-like position with knees bent and higher than the buttocks, allowing the baby's legs to be positioned on both sides of the mother's hips.
The ideal posture is to carry the baby in a frog-like position with the knees curved over the buttocks if the baby is in the carrier, at this time the baby's legs will be on both sides of the mother's hips.
8. Premature Outward-Facing Carrier Positioning
Newborns need time for their necks to stiffen as well as to get used to the height and view. If you hastily place the baby in the carrier with their face facing outwards, it can overstimulate the baby, affecting their neck and causing fear when being carried. Therefore, parents should wait until the baby's neck is stiff, and they can roll over before starting to practice carrying them facing outward!
9. Carrying Baby in Too Many Layers of Clothing
In winter, many parents often make the mistake of dressing their babies in too many thick layers of clothing, causing them to become overly hot, sweaty, and prone to colds due to sweat absorption back into the body.
Especially when carrying the baby while wearing too many layers of clothing combined with your body heat, it can make the baby hotter than expected, causing discomfort and fussiness. Therefore, mothers should pay closer attention if they notice the baby sweating or showing other signs of discomfort while carrying them!
10. Using the Same Baby Carrier Position for Different Ages
Allowing the baby to get accustomed to the same position for too long at different ages is not only inappropriate, causing discomfort for the baby, but also makes it difficult for the mother to change carrying positions. In some cases, it can even be harmful to the baby, such as the risk of developing flat head syndrome if the baby gets used to lying on one side for too long. In these situations, simply changing the direction and body posture of the baby can have a positive impact.
Are you making any of these mistakes? Hopefully, with these shared insights, you can provide the best care for your baby wherever you are!
