BABYWEARING
Babywearing (carrying a baby in a sling) gives the child a sense of security. The baby can hear the beating of mother’s heart, her voice, smell her, and all these things taken together help it to calm down and fall asleep. Also ailments such as colic, constipation, or regurgitation are less troublesome. The child has the opportunity to observe the world from mother’s perspective. The sling is a good and comfortable means of transport for our child, which allows us to be close and to function smoothly while shopping, cleaning, cooking or walking. Owing to the sling, our hands are free, and our limbs and spine are relieved to a great extent. We can even breastfeed the baby in the sling, at the same time keeping privacy in public places, where we do not want to attract others’ attention. Even newborns can be carried in a sling. It is important to remember that babies up to 3 – 4 months of age are not able to keep their head in an upright position, therefore, semi-reclined and semi-upright positions are recommended. As the child grows, the upright position may be used more frequently. Slings are of different lengths and should be chosen, depending on the size of the wearer. Also, the type of material they are made of: flexible, woven, with a touch of silk or wool, must be chosen depending on the time of year, age of the child, or our individual likes. Starting the adventure with a sling, it is a good thing to ask for information those who have already used them. There are workshops organized where we can get information on, inter alia, methods of tying the slings. One can also find instructional videos and other valuable tips on the Internet.
BABY MASSAGE
There is no need to explain how important to the child is our tender touch. What is of significance, we can use it as massage. It gives us the opportunity to share emotional bond, to better understand our baby, its needs and likes. The purpose of the massage is to provide our child with positive emotions, as well as stimulate its correct mental and physical development. By massaging the baby, we stimulate blood circulation throughout the body, we remove tension, improve digestion and help to regulate sleep. In return, the parent gains self-confidence. The simplest and most effective way to do massaging is by taking every day care of our baby. Cuddling them, tickling, lumbering, kissing, or teasing with hair, we give them something more than just a true massage; this is our original dialogue with the baby who learns love and intimacy. If we choose the “real” massage, it is good to prepare for it. What matters is patience, nice ambiance, the calm, and the desire to understand the baby’s preferences. Also room temperature – approx. 22 degrees Celsius, oil heated to room temperature, relaxing music or gentle singing by the masseur are of importance. The baby had better not be hungry, but do not do it immediately after a meal. We massage the head, face, abdomen, chest, back, legs, feet and hands. The touch should be gentle and firm. There are some baby massage techniques, for instance, Shantala massage. However, our commitment and closeness seem to be more important than any techniques.
