Baby's Anatomy

A BABY'S ANATOMY

A quick look at the development of a baby's anatomy is useful in order to gain a greater understanding of how correct babywearing can give your baby the best physical start in life.

SPINAL DEVELOPMENT

Whilst in the womb, a baby doesn't lie flat on its back; rather its spine is rounded in a position of total kyphosis - a 'C' shape.

This is still the shape of the spine at birth - the baby has no strength in any of the four sections of the spine at this time. Indeed, it takes approximately 12 months - or until the time of walking - for the spine to straighten and reach a point where its entire length is supported by strength in the muscles, and the 'S' shape achieved.

The stages of muscle development in the spine are characterised by a baby's ability to:

hold its head upright and steady, usually at about three months - cervical lordosis

sit upright unaided, somewhere between five and nine months - thoracic kyphosis

walk unaided, at approximately 12-18 months - lumbar lordosis

A well fitting baby sling will support the baby's spinal development at all stages. When using a woven wrap, for example, the wrap needs to surround the baby like a firm bandage, holding the baby close to the parent whilst allowing the rounding of the spine. Even once a baby has reached lumbar lordosis stage, rounding will still occur during sleep, as the muscles completely relax.

HIP DEVELOPMENT

If you lift a newborn baby it will instinctively lift its knees and spread its legs. It is, in essence, preparing itself to be worn against the parent's (or carer's) body and has (all by itself!) adopted the 'froggy', or 'M' position (so-called because the knees are angled higher than the bottom so, from the back, the child's knees, bottom and legs resemble a letter 'M'). This is the optimal position in babywearing and, as it adopts this position, the child's back also naturally rounds - the two are inextricably linked.

In terms of hip development, this is important: the femoral head - or hip bone - is still soft cartilage and has the potential to become displaced. By allowing the infant to adopt and maintain the 'M' position, the femoral head is placed correctly in the centre of the acetabulum - or hip socket - thus encouraging normal, healthy hip development.

Please do not carry your baby facing forward :(

It's a big no-no... She can't adopt her natural position, but simply dangles just as if in a parachute harness. Additionally, she can't escape from over-stimulation or snuggle into you for reassurance. If you feel your baby would like a bit more of a 360 degree view of the world than a front carry offers (and she is already sitting unaided), then a hip carry is a perfect alternative.

So there you have it!