Open Discussion Forum

  • 1.  Baby Wearing Policy

    Posted 09-28-2018 10:39 AM
    Hello fellow educators! 
    Do any of you have or work in a center/program that allows teachers to use baby wear gear?  Many of our infants (under 1 year) are used to being in carriers with their parent at home and miss that bond and support while with us.  During a recent training it was suggested to use these carriers to help build that bond and comfort.  In the past, we were always told this was not an option because it was considered 'confinement', but the thinking on this is starting to change.  We are working with our state licensor to put together a policy that would allow us to use baby-wearing gear within specific guidelines.  

    My question for you all is this- do you have a policy?  If so, what are the guidelines and such that you have in place? I'd love to hear your feedback and experiences with this!


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    Sharon Bligh
    Spencerport NY
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  • 2.  RE: Baby Wearing Policy

    Posted 09-30-2018 11:21 AM

    A very important discussion topic! 

     

    Please reflect on the following information when discussing whether we should be wearing another human being:

     

    According to Gerber and Johnson (1998), "The consumer baby industry want us to believe that we need all these things to survive. They know parents, especially anxious, new ones, are tempted to do many things to alleviate crying and keep a baby happy" (p.48-49). They discuss that using devices that restrict freedom of movement places your young human in an "altered state of consciousness" (Gerber & Johnson, 1998). So, while the young human may be momentarily distracted, their need for freedom of movement goes unmet. Gerber and Johnson (1998) write:

     

              Baby carriers: Using a baby carrier, like a Snugli, or baby sling,

              leaves your baby hanging from your body in a passive position,

              unable to move. I equate love with empathetic attention rather

              than simple physical closeness. 

              Infant seats and bouncers: These, too, keep a child from 

              moving in a natural manner on her own. 

              Swings: These hypnotize children with their back and forth

              movement. I like for children to be aware of what they do and

              how they feel, even if what they feel is tired, hungry, or

              frustrated. Swings encourage passivity. What goal is

              accomplished by not letting your child face reality? A swing is

              fine for an older child who can get into and out of it and pump it

              herself. That's an active activity.

              Theodore D. Wachs, in Early Experience and Human

              Development (Plenum Press, 1982), supports this idea. He cites

              ample evidence that "physical restrictions of the child's attempts

              at exploration, defined primarily in terms of lack of floor freedom

              and possibly in terms of physical barriers, tends to be related to

              lowered cognitive-intellectual development."

              Walkers: The term walker is a misnomer. It is a piece of

              equipment on wheels in which a dangling baby rolls across a

              floor. In order to walk, a baby needs to learn how to support her

              weight, and balance on one foot. She does neither of these in a

              walker. Studies have also shown that walkers are dangerous. 

     

    This means that the latest vibrating, music playing bassinets, or high-tech battery operated exersaucers or baby carriers interrupt the natural motor development.  We hope the above information encourages you to reconsider using them.  Young children are learning how to learn through freedom of movement. Tardos (2013) writes:

     

              During the period while the child progresses from turning onto

              his side to safely walking, the average length of time spent in the

              same position during his waking time is not more than 2 to 2.5

              minutes. In the 30-minute observation period, an average of 56

              changes of position were recorded, amounting to almost two

              changes per minute. (p. 170)

     

    This means that when we restrict the movement of young humans we are robbing them of all these learning opportunities to build the neural networks in their brain and strengthen their muscles.  Restricting movement may also stifle the intrinsic motivation to rely on one's own body cues. For example, the infant's body is his or her first learning environment.  In my program you will find infants placed on their backs on padded but firm flooring that enables them to move their bodies freely.  Another example would be that we have developmentally appropriate climbing structures that encourage young humans to climb and crawl when they are ready which are brain building experiences.  

    Young humans that are given freedom of movement develop agile bodies and understand what they can and cannot do with their current abilities. It is our responsibility to ensure that young humans are given that freedom, it is their right!  

    On another note, currently working with infants and toddlers, I personally would not want to put that kind of strain on my body by wearing another human being.  As a caregiver and educator I need to protect my own body from preventable injuries and strains.  It is a win-win for caregivers, educators and most importantly the infants.

                                                                                                    References

     

    Tardos, A. (2013). Facilitating the play of children at Loczy. In M. Gerber, D. Greenwald & J. Weaver (Eds.), The RIE manual for parents
                and professionals expanded edition
     (pp. 170-176). Los Angeles, CA: Resources for Infant Educarers (RIE). 

     Gerber, M., & Johnson, A. (1998). Your self-confident baby. New York, NY: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

     

     

    Thank you for reading and reflecting,

    Cheers,

    Abhirami Gunasingam

    Early Childhood Education Specialist

    and Owner of Bridges Care and Education Center in East Lansing, MI

    Email:  abhi.guna@yahoo.com



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    Abhirami Gunasingam

    Early Childhood Education Specialist

    and Owner of Bridges Care and Education Center in East Lansing, MI

    Email:  abhi.guna@yahoo.com
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  • 3.  RE: Baby Wearing Policy

    Posted 10-01-2018 07:17 AM
    Thank you, Abhirami for such a thoughtful, researched reply.



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    Kimberly Tice
    Ohio AEYC
    Mount Gilead OH
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