“Containerized” Infants: How Products are Affecting Our Babies’ Brains

Did you know that soon the medical community may need to delay our children's developmental milestones for any where up to 1 to 6 months of their life? Did you know that this delay is 100% preventable? There are numerous products on the market today for babies that all typically involve them being “contained” in some way. Most involve our infants being kept on their backs, strapped down by a five-point harness and unable to roll, squirm and tumble as their natural development demands.

Sure, it's nice for a parent to be able to keep their infant in a space that not only keeps them quiet and occupied but also safe; but some parents these days are downright abusing this luxury by keeping their child in a swinging swing or a bouncy chair for most of his or her waking hours.

And then they wonder why their child isn't rolling or crawling or walking according to the typical milestones that have been in place for centuries.

Here's why: Your child isn't being given the opportunity to explore, to work out these muscles and even come to a full realization of what his or her body can and is supposed to do!

What is Container Syndrome?

“Container Syndrome” is related to the flattening of your child's skull, which is due to them being on their backs. Not only are the apparatuses available for children these days encouraging the to be on their backs, but we as parents are also encouraged to place our babies on their backs while they rest to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While I'm not suggesting that you place your child on their stomach or otherwise to rest, what I am suggesting is that you allow your child more free movement in their play.

Increase tummy time

Many studies have been released that show how beneficial having skin-to-skin contact with your baby is for both you and your child. Have special tummy time several times a day with your baby before he or she is able to walk or crawl.

Change their Feeding Positions

Breastfeeding naturally forces a mother to change which side his or her baby is feeding on; for those who are bottle feeding their infants, be sure to alternate from left to right with each feeding.

TIP: Keep an elastic band around your wrist to remind you which side you should be laying your baby on while both breast and bottle feeding. What ever you do, try to keep them off their backs as much as possible.

Carry your Baby in a Sling

Once your infant is old enough to hold his or her head up for an extended period of time, try carrying him or her in a sling rather than a stroller when going on short trips to the store or for a walk. The pressure will be kept off the back of his or her head, and he or she will still have free movement of their limbs.

It is important for parents today to recognize that physical development is just as important as the mental development of your children, especially as the two often go hand-in-hand. As tempting as modern inventions are to use on our children for convenience sake, be sure to keep your child on the floor or on your person as much as possible during that first year to encourage movement and active play.

photo by Morten Justesen