My son, Philip, asked me, “How could you have kept us locked up in a playpen when we were babies? I would never let my baby stay cooped up so long.” Mother’s guilt accompanied me for years after becoming a grandmother. The modern-day parent is so devoted to their children taking them everywhere in those convenient car seats. They go from house to car, store to car, and then back to the house without even having the baby wake-up from their nap. In my mothering days, my schedule had to work around the baby’s nap-time. If I had to go out during Philip’s nap-time, I would have to wake him up to put him in his car seat and then take him out to put him in his stroller or the supermarket shopping cart. These days the car seat converts into strollers and snap right into the shopping cart. Convenient, right? Considerate? Yes, Comfortable? Of course. There is a special name for babies who spend a lot of time in car seats, swings, rockers, walkers and Bumbos. It’s referred to as Container Baby Syndrome which is the fallout from baby gear that constrains the baby for a prolong period.

In the early 1990’s, theBack to Sleep campaign was introduced. New medical guidelines encouraged parents to keep their babies on their backs to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome(SDS). Babies cannot play and move around properly while on their backs and the tummy time routine has been greatly underutilized. Therefore, to keep baby and parents happy, snuggling in a container is the general solution. Babies feel secure in a car seat when unhappy in their crib. Swinging in a container also helps the baby fall asleep. Many strollers of today are engineered to attach the baby carrier or seat to its base. The latest fad is the Doona Car Seat Stroller, an all in one option to contain your baby throughout the whole errand excursion. The entire time, the baby is snuggled into a container that does not allow the baby to vary his movements. This causes underdeveloped muscle tone and contributes to torticollis and flat head syndrome. Although safety wise, secure head support is a fabulous idea, it does not allow the up down and side to side movement that a baby needs and therefore its use is bound to have negative repercussions.

Container Baby Syndrome (CBS), is a new issue that is cropping up at pediatricians’ offices in increasing numbers. It can also be named, “Busy Parent Syndrome” (BPS). Schlepping your baby from one container to another is at least an improvement to keeping that baby in the same container. But carrying the baby from stroller to arm and even to high chair in the same container seat must be detrimental to the baby’s natural muscle tone development. Baby swings and bouncing jumpers, are beloved by parents since they are soothing containers as well as a safe deposit for the baby while the parent does chores, prepares dinner and does the laundry. Be aware that therapists and doctors are cautioning parents about the length of time spent by the baby in these conveniences. Instead of keeping the baby in these containers for prolonged periods, doctors recommend baby-wearing or a playpen instead. With these two alternatives, a parent can have the baby near him or her while at the same time keeping their hands free. At the same time the baby is forced to exercise the sternocleidomastoid muscle and can help prevent torticollis and plagiocephaly.

My babies sometimes slipped forward and bent their heads while in the shopping cart. Now it seems that that could be good exercise and not child abuse. Of course, the parent must make sure the baby is safe, and the parent should stay close to the cart. You can also interact with the baby more closely when he or she is not confined to a container. Play and communication is not only important for you baby’s physical head and muscle development; it is vital in your baby’s social development too. By playing with your baby, you are bonding on a human level and strengthening the bond between parents and baby. In the supermarket as well, a baby sitting in the regular child seat of the supermarket cart is more apt to have other people interact with them. With today’s in-house shopping solutions, household products are delivered directly to your door and mom and baby are missing out on these important moments which impact development.

Babies spend less time on the floor both on their backs or stomachs since parents are just too busy to play with their babies. The tummy time exercises that are supposedly supplementing the back sleeping are not being implemented properly.

The babies of yesteryear roamed as free as buffalo’s on the prairie. If a parent needed to “contain” their baby they used the above-mentioned playpen. I can personally attest to mothers going into the shower while their baby played in his playpen. The earlier playpens were made of wood slats which were eventually outlawed because of the danger that the baby’s head could get caught between the slats. Enter, the softer playpen which was a forerunner to today’s pack and play. As the baby grew, he would want to stand up. The strong net allows the baby to get a good grip in as high or low position as he or she feels safely trying. The main advantage to the playpen of yore and pack and play of today, is the freedom that it allows for the baby’s head and limbs. Playpens come in many different versions, some with a floor and some without a floor, for use outdoors as well. Please be aware that for a baby who is learning how to stand and walk, you would be safer with the one with a bottom. So, when you must put the baby down, this is a safe choice that enables more natural motion.

The most effective way to prevent muscle immaturity such as flat head syndrome and torticollis is to hold your baby. Don’t you find when you hold a healthy baby it tries to move out of your arms? This is the best exercise for your little charmer. Baby-wearing is a great invention for the busy parent. Whether you use a sling, carrier or wrap, baby wearing permits human interaction between parent and child. You are then finely attuned to any of your baby’s needs. You will notice them getting fussy or hungry before the hysterical crying begins.

Kangaroo babies called joeys are carried by their mother in her pouch. If you study videos of baby kangaroos you will see how beautifully the pouch serves all the purposes of mobility, touch sensitivity, movement of head and arms, all while staying in the mother’s pouch. Baby-wearing pouches are probably the closest human beings have come to copying the wonderful mothering instincts of the kangaroo. If you are breastfeeding, you can feed like a mommy kangaroo too. You would still have to change a diaper as we humans are not equipped with the amazing capabilities of the kangaroo mother.

Kangaroo Care was developed in the 1970’s in South America to combat the high premature infant-mortality rate. Kangaroo Care eases the infant’s transition from the womb to the outside world with sensitivity and softness. The birth experience is quite a big scare for babies. Especially for premature infants, kangaroo care can help stabilize both breathing rates and heart rates. Babies placed on their mother or father’s chest fall asleep quickly. In addition, the skin to skin contact helps to control your baby’s body temperature. Parents practicing the skin to skin contact, need to get away from a noisy environment and bright lights. Keep your baby close to you kangaroo style for one hour at least four times a week. This type of bonding will boost your confidence as a new mother and father.

Close skin contacts when possible with baby-wearing helps parents bond with their babies and gets the infant to move around and use all his muscles especially the sternocleidomastoid muscle. Kangaroo care keeps babies warm and secure. When necessary, use playpens and pack and plays instead of baby equipment containers such as car seats, baby swings and jumpers.

Continue to increase tummy time as the baby matures and never keep the baby in one crowded position for extended periods of time. Using these guidelines, you will see that all your work will be worthwhile raising a healthy and emotionally and physically well-balanced child. Always remember that the Cranial Therapy Centers is the leader in treating plagiocephaly in North and South Jersey.