Babywearing: More than just convenient!

I purchased my first baby carrier long before I discovered Attachment Parenting.  Admittedly, it was out of complete frustration that I was unable to put my baby down to do ANYTHING.  He mostly flat out refused to be set down for the first three months of his life.  As much as it would be great to cuddle all day...there are things that just plain need to get done!  Hearing good things about Hotslings, I purchased the first one I found that resembled it.  It was a Jelly Bean pouch sling by Munchkin.

My first attempt at getting him in it ended up with both of us crying.  After a couple hours of much needed sleep we tried again...and it was magic!  My fussy baby transformed into an easy going, happy little peanut before my very eyes.  Not to mention...the heaping piles of laundry and dishes were GONE!  Why didn't I do this sooner?!

It's pretty apparent that babywearing is convenient for mamas (and Dads!).  It's also incredibly beneficial for babies!  Here are just a few wonderful things babywearing does for babies:

• It provides an optimal learning environment.  Babies in carriers spend more time in a quiet state of alertness.  They are at the adult's level (not way down on the floor or in a stroller).  They hear more, see more, and feel more a part of the world!
• It comforts them.  It creates an environment really similar to the womb...rythmic motions, mom's heartbeat, swaddle-like feeling.  Several studies show that children who were "worn" grow up to be more confident and secure adults!
• It allows them to experience new situations while feeling safe against Mom or Dad, and keeps them physically safe!
• It can actually reduce SIDS.  The reasoning is too complicated for me to explain, you can read about it here  :)

• Promotes healthy, healthy attachment that is SO important for their future!

There are MANY different kinds of carriers...ring slings, pouches, soft structured front carriers, back packs, mei teis, wraps, and more.  I have limited experience with many of these, but check out The Babywearer for TONS of great info! 

My (current) carrier of choice is the Ergo.  It is a soft structured carrier that can be worn on the front or back. Happy babywearing!

Amber For Teething

It's becoming pretty apparent that peanut is teething!  Everything (EVERYTHING) goes into his mouth!  Most of the day he can be seen jamming his fists into his mouth and he has times of fussiness that are out of character for him.  After doing a little research and feeling uncomfortable giving him Tylenol on any sort of regular basis, I discovered amber!!   Today is his first day wearing his necklace, and it's supposed to take a week or two to see results.  I'll keep you posted :)  Originally, I thought that babies chewed on these teething necklaces.  Not the case!  They just wear them close to their skin (you can also purchase anklets).  Read on for more info!

Some info (FAQ) on Amber, from Inspired By Finn (where we purchased the necklace):

What makes Amber work?

That’s an excellent question! Baltic amber is a natural resin, not a gem or stone. Its key ingredient, succinic acid, enables the amber to warm to the body’s natural temperature whereupon it releases it healing and pain relieving oils. Easily absorbed into the skin, the amber then continues its passage into the blood stream where it provides the child’s own immune system and provides calm and peace.

So exactly what does Baltic amber do?

The most obvious benefits are the reduction of inflammation (red cheeks) and a stimulation of the thyroid glands (controls drooling). Historically and scientifically associated with sunlight and warm, Amber accelerates our natural immune systems ability to heal wounds and reduces inflammation in the ears, throat, stomach and respiratory system. There is nothing on the market today that can even come close to the amazing, natural results of Baltic amber. There are no tablets, medications or pastes that can compete with this amber.

What research has been done on Amber?

The active ingredient in Baltic amber is succinic acid, which was analysed by the pioneer of modern bacteriology and Nobel-prize winner Robert Koch (1886). He confirmed its positive influences and discovered that there is no risk of the accumulation of surplus amounts of succinic acid in the human organism. Recent scientific research has also proved that succinic acid has a very positive influence on the human organism, iIt strengthens the body, improves immunity, the course of energy-related processes and the balance of acids. Current research shows that the micronization of amber improves its assimilation by the stress-weakened organism of the contemporary man. The unfavorable environmental conditions prevailing today block the natural flow of energy-related processes in cells. Blocks affect cellular metabolism and significantly weaken the immune system, but the natural energy of amber is able to stimulate its renewal.

What is the difference between natural Baltic amber and other types of amber?

Baltic amber has the greatest content of succinic acid. As a result, it possesses the greatest healing properties and is the mostly highly values amber to own. There are other fossil resins that are similar in appearance to Baltic amber but they do not contain succinic acid. More importantly, it is only original Baltic amber that existed 45 million years ago that contains DNA material (inclusions of tiny particles of small plants and insects of that period). Thus Baltic amber has the ability to facilitate natural healing and provide other therapeutic treatments to support the body’s immune system.