Babywearing

Okay, in response to some more questions from friends on the safety and the benefit of babywearing, I've put down 10 reasons that would hopefully help a lot of you out. These 10 facts are credited to LadySoul, who is also a huge fan of slings.

I'm not trying to convert anyone, but I really want to share the joy and convenience of babywearing to all Moms out there. I know the concern is mostly on the safety issue, coz it does look a little dodgy on the outside, but believe me, with correct fitting, your baby is sure to be snug and comfy in there. People all over the world have been babywearing for hundreds of thousands of years now, so there must be something good about it, right?

But if the issue is all about being embarrassed to don the 'Indon Maid Look', all I can say is, look around you, babywearing is so the IN thing right now! Angelina Jolie is wearing it, so is Brooke Shield, and I have here Julia Roberts, Gwen Stefani, heck, even Etahn Hawk is proud to use it! So who exactly, is missing out on the latest fashion trend here?

All celebs aside, I'd like to ask, 'Is there anything sweeter than when your baby lays her head aginst your chest?'

Here are the 10 reasons:

Babywearing is an ancient tradition that has withstood the test of time in native cultures around the world. Here are ten reasons why using our baby sling can play a vital role in successful parenting today.

Convenient
* A sling allows you to care for your baby and work HANDS-FREE at the same time!
* The baby’s weight is COMFORTABLY distributed across your shoulder, back and hip.
* You can attend to your other children while safely holding your baby.
* Slings are much more COMPACT than strollers or plastic infant seats. You can carry your sling in a diaper bag.

Easy to use
* Your baby can be worn in many comfortable positions: snuggle hold, cradle hold, kangaroo carry, hip carry, or back carry (for toddlers).
* Putting on a sling is as easy as putting on a purse.

Calms babies down
* A sling is an instant baby soother; babies love the rhythmic motion of riding in a sling.
* A 1986 study of 99 mother-infant pairs (reported in Pediatrics Magazine ) showed that carrying babies at least three hours a day reduced crying and fussing 43% during the day and 51% at night.
* Babies are happier being carried and have less need to cry, so parents enjoy their babies more as a result.
* Versatile and cost effective
* You can use a simple sling from birth to age three (or 35 lbs.), replacing the need for other more expensive baby carriers.
* Slings can also be used as a shopping cart safety belt, toddler harness, light blanket, or changing pad.
* Small pets (under 25 lbs.) love to be carried too.

Babywearing enhances mental development
* Carried babies are up at eye level, able to share your world and receive lots of healthy stimuli and attention.
* Since babies are exposed to more experiences and conversations, they often develop language skills quicker.
* Sling babies have better visual and auditory alertness, and increased "quiet alert" times, which is when the brain is most active. As a result, babies learn faster.

Improves physical development
* Slings provide a “transitional womb” for newborns adapting to a new world. Think of it as 9 months in the womb and 9 months out.
* Carried babies develop good muscle tone in both neck and body, and have better balance.
* Carried babies have fewer stress hormones and this relaxed state aids in better digestion, physical growth, and attention span. (Just be careful when you carry her after her full meal :) or...you'll be carrying a handful of baby barf :)

Promotes self-confidence
* Slings promote bonding between parent and child. Findings from a Columbia University study revealed that 83% of babies carried in cloth carriers were "securely attached," compared to only 38% of those carried in infant seats. This bond is essential for infant development.
* Carried babies and toddlers feel more secure in new social situations
* Babies become more independent and confident at an earlier age.

Keeps baby safe
* Keep baby close to you and away from germs in public places.
* In a sling, your toddler can’t wander off.
* Slings provide protection from overstimulation. (Which is very true because all she's focused on is YOU)

Makes parenting even more enjoyable!
* Wearing your baby will help you gain a greater awareness of your child’s needs and eliminate excessive crying and temper tantrums.
* Better communication increases bonding, infant trust, and feelings of parental competence.
* Holding your baby releases mom hormones that create a unique feeling of close attachment.
* It’s fun to cuddle your baby! A sling helps you enjoy this special time for as long as possible.

For more information, please refer to:

The Continuum Concept by Jean Liedloff. Reading, Mass.: Addison Wesley, 1985.

Creative Parenting by William Sears, M.D. Montreal: Optimum Publishing International, 1992.

Mothering and Fathering by Tine Thevenin. Garden City Park, New York: Avery Publishing Group, Inc., 1993.

Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.

Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Noyzce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627

Aisyah My Little Gymnast

I managed to capture Aisyah doing her current everyday must-do exercise regime - flipping!

Look at the speed she does it! Giler laju sampai mak aku tanya, 'Lajukan film speed ke?' (which I hadn't, btw, in case you're also thinking it).

Lps dia dah flip on her belly tu, aku dtg dekat, konon nak capture muka dia on camera, sbb slalunya dia senyum2 puas hati meniarap buat sendirian berhad. Alih2 hari ni dia marah aku dtg dekat. Ingatkan kenapa, rupa2nya dia belom habis buat gymnastic routine dia. Dia teruskan dgn mem'flip' semula ke belakang. She did a full 360!

Boleh tahan aktif anak aku ni yeh? Patut la dlm perut dulu kuat melasak mcm tgh buat aksi gymnastic gaya cam nak challenge Nadia Comanechi.. hi hi..

'I Love Your Blog' Gift

This gift is given to me by the generous Mummy H&H. Rasa honored betul. Thanks very much. I love ur blog too, bebeh.

To all yg ada blog link nya di sebelah kanan blog saya ini, sudi lah kiranya terima hadiah yg x seberapa ini drpd saya yg dipanjangkan drpd org2 sebelumnya. Sesungguhnya mmg I love your blogs, and mmg konfem check everyday -- even the ones yg jarang update, hehe (u know who u r, maka rajin2 la update keh keh keh).

Keep the blog world meriah people, okay?

Lotsa Love,
Oyis

Pouch vs Sling

Aisyah In Her Pouch

Okay, a few people have asked me, 'Which is better, a Ring Sling or a Pouch Sling?'

Honestly, both serves the same purpose, and I can't answer it without being biased about it. Of course I would say go with the pouch, but that's bcoz I'm useless with folding and tying that I couldn't even do it to save my life. But to others, the ring sling might be the best ever creation. It really depends on the individual.

So here I present a little smackdown between Pouch Sling vs Ring Sling that I have nicked from the Sweet Things Baby Slings Website. Hopefully, this will help explain it better than I can ever write it myself.

Ring Sling

Pros:
*Ring slings are highly adjustable. The fabric threaded through the rings can be taken up or let out to achieve a perfect fit; a ring sling can be shared with family and friends and passed on when the baby outgrows babywearing.
*The tail of the sling, if not sewn shut or "closed", is quite handy for keeping a sleeping baby's head out of the elements and covering boobage while breastfeeding.
*Ring sling tails can include a pocket that will hold a diaper, wipes, bottle, sippy cup, billfold, etc. You can leave the diaper bag in the car.

Cons:
*The amount of fabric necessary to keep the sling secure feels bulky to some people and, compared to a pouch, it takes a wee bit longer to put on and take off a ring sling.
*Not everyone gets the hang of letting fabric in and out at the tail.
*Some people find the rings to be heavy and annoying.

Pouch Sling

Pros:
*Pouch slings are very easy to use. There are no rings or extra lengths of fabric to mess with or position.
*Pouch slings have a very low profile and are comfortable enough to wear under a jacket or into the grocery store in anticipation of a child that elects to squirm out of a shopping cart. Parents of twins can wear two pouch slings at the same time, one across each shoulder.
*Some of our pouches are reversible. Twice the fun!
*Pouches fold up smaller than ring slings.

Cons:
*Pouch slings must fit an individual's specific measurement in order to be comfortable. If a babywearer changes weight dramatically, a pouch that fit originally will no longer work.
*There is no extra piece of fabric like a tail to cover a baby's head or to facilitate nursing.

Maka, harus la diingatkan, sekiranya korg nak beli pouch, kena la ukur betul2. Biasanya kalo average Msian yg tingginya kurg 156 cm tu, aku rasa, pakai saiz S aje. Unless you have a longer or shorter torso, then maybe you need an XS or M size. Apa2 pon better ukur la. Mcm aku ari tu, senang sbb gi kedai Moms Little One tu terus diaorg ambik pita ukur tu and ukur across the shoulder dah. Kalo order online, kena sendiri make sure la ukuran tu tepat.

Bab2 pouch ni aku nak give credit to Lia, yg introdce kan benda nih kat aku masa aku pregnant dulu. Dia ada wat satu entry psl ni dlm blog dia. Antara soalan naive aku masa tu (yg masih ada dlm kotak komen dia skang) ialah, 'x penyek ke breasts kita?' ahaks!

Jawab Lia, 'Tentulah x, kalo x mesti Angelina Jolie x nak pakai, pasal nnt x seksi!'. (Yes, AJ guna Baby Pouch utk carry Shiloh masa tu.)

And lps dah guna sendiri tu, aku bole konfem kan bahawasanya you, your baby and your boobs are safe. Trust me on this. All is rest assured! Yeay!

Aisyah Lounging In The Lounge

Aisyah duduk bawah aje lah ye...

We did nothing much over the weekend, except that we spent it over at our own house. Just as we did last week.

Above is Aisyah lounging in front of the telly in the lounge of our new house, watching Jaws on DVD. Blissful!

Ain't I glad that we got the leather seats instead of the L-shaped suede cushions that we had contemplated in buying when we first moved here. As it was, Aisyah spat milk all over the seats. Luckily, with one swipe, all was gone and there was no stain or marks left. It cost a few hundreds extra, the leather seats, but it was totally worth it. I don't want to imagine how nasty things might have been if we'd gotten the suede cushions...