Beco Gemini:

The Beco Gemini is a soft structured carrier recommended uses for newborn-toddler (up to 35#) ages, can use it for front carry, back carry and hip carry. It comes with a foldable headrest.

Special Features:

• This carrier offers 4 positions (with a facing out front carry) to carry baby. While some baby wearers recommend to not carry in this position (places stress on baby’s groin area and doesn’t allow baby to selectively filter out too much stimuli), I think it would be OK for short periods (1/2 hour) if not used repeatedly.
• The straps can be crossed in the back for any type of front carry. Ergonomically, this makes the carrier very comfortable and ideal for longer baby wearing and the best posture wise for most people.
• The base of the carrier can buckle inward for a smaller fit for younger babies.

Who would benefit most:

• Parents/Caregivers with back problems that want to baby wear.
• Parents/Caregivers that want to wear their baby facing out for short periods.
• Parents/Caregivers who want to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking with their infants.
• Parents/Caregivers who live in a climate that has mild to cooler temperatures.

Tips for parents with children that have special needs:

• Would work well with children with that need a lot of support for high and low tone (but able to hold head and sit up with minimal support.
• Good for a child that needs extra head support with a soft and comfortable hood that is easy to adjust.
• Good for Parents/Caregivers who might be concerned their child would unbuckle straps (buckles have safety buckles to prevent opening).
• Parents/Caregivers that need to have their child stretch abductor muscles (inner legs) and are able to do so with a gentle stretch.

Examples on How to Use in Therapy:

Coming Soon!

My Thoughts:

I loved using this carrier as the days got cooler in S. CA and purchased it because of the cross back. It was very comfortable. I liked the modern look of this carrier and the styles available. I enjoyed wearing this to the bus stop to pick up my too older kids as well. It is very sturdy and well made.

The Boba soft structured carrier is a soft structured carrier recommended uses for newborn-toddler (7-45#) ages, can use it for front carry and back carry.  It comes with a foldable removable headrest.

Special Features:

• This carrier offers 3 positions with front carrying and back carrying.
• The carrier has foot straps attached to the carrier which allows the childs legs to be supported and keeps legs in a frog legged position.
• The carrier has a rounder positioned body which allows for a snug fit along the spine.
• It is easy to place on and remove.

Who would benefit most:

• Parents/Caregivers with postural problems that want to baby wear older children.
• Parents that want to give a child support in the legs
• Parents/Caregivers who want to engage in outdoor activities such as hiking with their infants.
• Parents/Caregivers who live in a climate that has mild to cooler temperatures.
• Parents/Caregivers with a child that needs extra head support or a child that might sleep in the carrier.
• Parents/Caregivers who might be concerned their child would unbuckle straps (buckles have safety buckles to prevent opening).
• Parents/Caregivers that need to have their child stretch abductor muscles (inner legs).
• Parents/Caregivers that have a child with sensory loss in limbs and need legs supported for safety.

Tips for parents with children that have special needs:

• Parents/Caregivers who might be concerned their child would unbuckle straps (buckles have safety buckles to prevent opening).
• Parents/Caregivers that need to have their child stretch abductor muscles (inner legs).
• Parents/Caregivers that have a child with motor-sensory loss in limbs and need legs supported for safety.
• Parents/Caregivers that need to have their child stretch tighter abductor muscles (inner legs) and are able to do so with a gentle stretch.

Examples on How to Use in Therapy:

Coming Soon!

My Thoughts:

This carrier is sturdy and curves around carrying a child with a slightly snug position vs the Beco Gemini which is styled flatter.  The material is fairly light but sturdy compared to most structured carriers making it nice for hotter weather places. The foot straps are a great feature to have and unique to this carrier.

Special Features:

• This wrap is snuggly and wraps around baby to cradle at all angles. There is little between mom and baby allowing for warmth to be passed.
• The material is soft, gentle and forgiving.
• The wrap can be used for a variety of positions
• The wrap is easy to take for travel.

Who would benefit most:

• New parents wanting a nice snuggle with baby.
• Parents/Caregivers that plan to babywear the first year.
• Parents/ Caregivers with fussy babies.
• Parents/Caregivers who can take a little time to learn the basic wrap.
• Parents/Caregivers who live in a climate that is mild.

Tips for parents with children that have special needs:

• Would work well with infants and small children that need to be held and crave or require deep pressure or texture issues.
• Would provide a child that needs to work on strengthening respiratory muscles a possible gentle adjustable option.
• Parents that have been prescribed a hip brace may be able to use this with the proper positioning (see below).
• Parents/Caregivers that need to have their child stretch slightly tight abductor muscles (inner legs) and are able to do so with a gentle stretch.

Examples on How to Use in Therapy:

Coming Soon!

My Thoughts:

This is wonderful for a younger typical developing infant and infants needing kangaroo care. The material is very stretchy (compared to the Moby wrap which feels to me like a stretchy t-shirt). This was a benefit to me as I think it really made my daughter feel cradled and snuggled. It was often my go-to resort when she would not fall asleep. I do notice many people out there using the carrier without proper positioning in the legs so I put some pictures below on how to properly position for frog leg position.

Here is the proper positioning for the legs below for frog or abducted position. Baby’s legs should be flexed or bent to about 90 degrees with each panel tucked under each thigh. Then the top panel is folded over the first layer.

The Baby Ktan is a shorter wrap type carrier that slips on over shoulders.  It is recommended uses for newborn-toddler (up to 35#) ages, can use it for a variety of positions including a cradle position and front carry.

Special Features:

• This carrier was created by a parent of a child with special needs and is easily transportable and easy to place on. The front straps turns into a storage pouch.
• The carrier can be placed on without having to worry about long straps hanging while putting on and is fairly easy to use.
• The carrier is light weight and is a good option for warm climates.
• The main part of the carrier can be used in a pinch with an extra hand hold around baby similar to carrying baby, but with support (see picture at bottom).

Who would benefit most:

• Parents/Caregivers wanting something easy to place on quickly and take with them.
• Parents who don’t want to deal with straps or buckles.

Parents with children that have special needs:

• Parents/caregivers that need a quick option to have their child stretch abductor muscles (inner legs).
• Parents/Caregivers who have a baby that is fairly strong but need to practice trunk strengthening skills and need an extra hand. (See picture below)

Examples on How to Use in Therapy:

This is a simple technique to use to help baby reach to each side while sitting in the carrier in hug hold. It gives the wearer an extra hand.

My Thoughts:

This carrier is very easy to use and take on the go.  The material is very light and a light color would be an option in the warmer months in warmer climates with monitoring. The versitality is good but baby may outgrow it more quickly than other carriers.  I found it very stylish as well.

The Bali Breeze wrap is a gauze wrap (similar to a woven wrap), that can be used for a variety of carries on the front, back or hip.  It comes in a variety of beautiful patterns and is made to be used for infants and toddlers.

Special Features:

• Can use it for a variety of front carry and back carrying positions.
• Can also use this to carry infant twins.
• The carrier is light weight and is a good option for warm climates.
• Is a more dressy version of a wrap.
• Allows you to babywear using a wrap, safely with toddlers.

Who would benefit most:

• Parents/Caregivers wanting to babywear for babies and toddlers but like the closeness a wrap provides.
• Parents of multiples.
• Parents who want to use a variety of carrying positions and will take the time to practice.

Tips for parents with children that have special needs:

• Parents that are willing to work with a therapist and experienced babywearer can come up with unique ideas with the many options this carrier provides.

Examples on How to Use in Therapy:

I liked using this as a therapy tool ie. placing under the trunk when baby is starting to crawl. More coming soon!

My Thoughts:

This  is a very beautiful and stylish carrier. Although it does take some time and patience to figure out the various wrapping styles (comes with a video for help), it is by far the most versatile and can be used to wear baby almost any way you can think of (safely of course). Some wrapping will take two people until the baby wearer becomes very adept at wrapping.

By Andrea Henry, MS, PT

Babywearing has become one of the newest trends lately in regards to babies and I am so excited to have the opportunity with my newest little one to use it. I was mostly new to babywearing with this baby (there were not as many carriers when I had the twins 6 yrs ago, because I would have tried more babywearing then). Currently more baby stores are now selling a decent collection of carriers.

I started doing a bit of research on this and I purchased a BECO Gemini after consulting with my local baby store, Buggies and Babies. I began using it a few weeks after baby was born. I loved it immediately and began doing more research. I personally don’t think it matters whether you choose a specific personal parenting philosophy or style to embark on doing this.  As a Physical Therapist, I would recommend to let your baby experience a variety of positions whether in or out of a baby carrier and that tummy time and independent walking (for the toddler and child) are obviously still very important-especially with the problem of obesity and kids today. As a parent, I love having my infant near and love the benefits and convenience babywearing provides. I also try to foster some play mat time and independence away from me in a safe environment as well. And being a running mom, my baby loves being in her stroller for weekly runs.  There is definitely a way to balance all of it.

After reading and trying babywearing initially, I began to wonder as a Physical Therapist, about the benefits of babywearing for the infants and children that I treat and started a babywearing project during my maternity leave. I am looking forward to referring the families I work with here, to read about the babywearing benefits and will be using the carriers during therapy sessions and lending them out when appropriate.

Below are links to information on each carrier and possible uses and benefits of the carrier. Currently updated are the:  Beco Gemini, Boba baby wrap, Boba soft structured carrier, Baby Ktan, Bali Breeze wrap, Snugli, Baby holder sling and Seven Sling). Information for each will be periodically updated as I get feedback from families.  In addition I listed some general information and benefits on using them for typical infants and infants with special needs below:

Carriers:

 Beco Gemini:

Snugli

Boba baby wrap (formerly Sleepy wrap)

Boba soft structured carrier

Bali Breeze wrap (a type of gauze wrap similar to a woven wrap)

a Baby Ktan

Over the Shoulder Baby Holder Sling

Seven sling:

General Precautions for Typical Developing Infants:
As with all babywearing, common sense needs to be used. Always engage in safe babywearing.  Here is an excellent link on basic safety considerations.  Please do your own research and if you have any doubt, contact the carrier maker or seek further advice in person, with a professional.  Always make sure baby is “Visible and Kissable.”

Recommendations/Precautions with Infants and Children with Special Needs:

• As always, discuss with your pediatrician, orthopedic specialist and therapists about your own specific situation and appropriateness of use.
• Test the devices during many therapy sessions to have two sets of hands and expert eyes available.
• If your infant/child uses pulse oximeters and supplemental oxygen or has respiratory issues, discuss with Dr. an appropriate course of testing and use these items to determine if infant/child can tolerate carrier, much like a car seat test before leaving hospital. Although several sessions, different positions and different time limits should be tested.
• Keep in mind that changing the position used in the carrier could change the tolerance of the carrier, medically.
• As with a typical infant/child, if your child is sick, this could change the way he/she tolerates the carrier. Consult with a physician before using it during this time.

General benefits for typical infants/toddlers and infants/children with special needs:

• Less forces on skull for development of plagiocephaly (flat head)
• Prevention or treatment of torticollis with positioning of head to both sides
• Uses and develops balance reactions with movement of parent
• Infant/child develops a sense of the rhythm of walking movement
• Infant and child gets sensory input over much of body via swaddling/deep pressure for calming and security
• Movement stimulates the vestibular system development via input
• The upright position and slight compression on trunk area helps aide digestion
• Infant gets “Tummy Time” like experience in a wrap as baby moves against against resistance similar to tummy time but in an upright position
•  Tummy Time: movement occurs with resistance in all planes of motion more equally (unlike development only against gravity which usually requires a solid mastery of sagittal plane first, then frontal, and transverse last)
• When strong and healthy enough-baby can practice breathing against adjustable resistance, strengthening intercostal and other respiratory muscles
• Infants at risk for developing increased tone/spasticity in legs are not able to extend legs in hug hold  infant/child must work on and maintain trunk control to some extent depending on type of carry used
• Infant/child is carried with hips in an abducted position with several carrying positions which can be an optimal position (link is to one perspective) on this, to develop hip in the socket
• Studies demonstrate that low weight and slow gaining babies benefit from kangaroo type care to help with growth
• Infants and children with speech and social delays are placed at an optimal position to interact and observe caregivers speech and social interactions
• Infants and children gain a view of the world for longer periods, that is not easily accessible from their strollers or chairs (ie. trick or treating, grocery trip)
• Hard of hearing child will get to feel (by using hands) and see a person talking up close.
• If the child uses O2 or an apnea monitor and has been approved for babywearing, it will free up mom for an extra set of hands to move around with baby.

Resources for Parents/Caregivers with Children with special needs:

Here are some links to some resources and inspirational/informative stories about moms that have completed babywearing with a child with special needs:

• Tiffany Speck, has a background as a pediatric nurse (she actually worked in an NICU) and knows oodles about baby wearing, lactation and issues that babies with special needs will face.  Baby So Smart (www.babysosmart.com)

• The Babywearer forum for special needs This is a wonderful forum! A wealth of information and I wanted to link to many of the personal accounts. You will need to sign on and find the forum, but it is very worth the work!

• A Child with Cerebral Palsy and Spina Bifida

• Mom who baby wore with Ponsetti bar/Hip Spica Casting (I don’t advocate the poor posture for mom but there appear to be  possible short term benefits for the child (getting child upright would have some benefits with attention/learning, getting circulation moving after surgery, relief for pressure points and a change from lying down when child may not be able to move much).

 Photo credits: Respective sites offering baby carriers and www.photobucket.com

Purchased: Beco Gemini, Snugli and Baby Ktan.  Borrowed: Baby holder sling and Seven Sling.  Donated: Boba baby wrap, Boba soft structured carrier, Bali Breeze wrap. Thank you! I really could not capture the benefits of each without going through the actual babywearing process with each one.

Disclaimer

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Related articles

• International Babywearing Week Celebrates the Benefits of Safe Babywearing (prweb.com)

Many runners, young and old, have gotten into the world of running recently. They are jumping right into training and running in half marathons and marathons and not looking back. After all, the marathon is the sweetheart to distance, much like the 100 meters is to sprinting. But there might be several reasons to slow down and enjoy a more gradual entry into the running arena. Sometimes a relationship of running is best built like any relationship in life-slowly and over time. Here are some good reasons to take in at least one or two seasons of only 5K’s.

It is the start of a good foundation. By training for a solid 3-4 months of 25-30 or so miles per week, your body is adjusting and easing into running. Tendons and ligaments are adjusting to stress. Your muscles are learning how to handle a lower mileage level but with slightly more intensity-a nice start to a base foundation. This foundation of miles will prepare you for bigger and better things down the road.

It is easier to train for. Training for a marathon often takes up half of your day towards the end and then you have to deal with recovery as well. Sometimes its hard to deal with family, work, schedules etc. to fit the training in for a marathon. Long runs must be planned and you may have to drive distances for an ideal workout location. It’s much easier to head out for 30-40 minutes on those busy days when you don’t have all day to devote to running.

It’s easier on the piggy bank. Lets face it. Marathon and half marathon races are getting more and more expensive. And often you have to travel and stay in hotels to get to your favorite ones. You can use the fee for one of these races to run in several 5K’s that are in your area or much closer by.

It’s easier on your social book. Chances are the number of friends in your social circle that have run marathons are a lot less than those that might be willing to try a 5K or that would join you for a jog around the neighborhood. Many people are interested in doing short “fun runs” and 5K fund raisers now-a-days. You can introduce them to the long run later, after they’ve gotten the running bug and built up a base.

You will stay mentally fresh. Keeping your race face on during short bouts of racing will be easier and will sharpen your mental racing skills. Getting through those long runs often is a game of “what can we find next to keep the focus going.” Sometimes breaks are good.

It lets your body ease in to racing. Recovery from long runs and racing marathons can be longer and difficult. Racing 5K’s several weekends in a row or with a few weeks in between doesn’t call for major tapering or recovery and is how most high school and college runners started out training. With 5K’s, minor injuries can heal, and recovery from racing and workouts are quick.

It gives you a chance to see what type of runner you are. This is by far the most important reason. Most elite runners start out running the mile or 5K and take up the longer distances later in their career. Runners who start later (after high school) often have not been running long enough to really test their abilities and determine where they stand in the world of genetics. Are they a sprinter trying to run distance casually? Do they excel at mid. distance (mile to 5K)? Can they move up to the marathon with some solid training or even consider ultra-distance in the future? Understanding your unique balance of fast-twitch and slow-twitch muscle make up and how you respond to different types of training is the first thing you should determine when putting together an optimal training plan for any race distance. If you haven’t done this, you may have left out the most crucial piece of training for any future race and won’t maximize your workouts.

So head out and sign up for a group of 5K’s for the summer or fall, get a look at what you are made of and your training will be headed in the right direction.

Picture courtesy of: Photobucket.com

#womensrunning twitter chat! April 19th, 6 PM PST!

Topic: Running Clothes and Gear, our Favorites for warm weather training and racing

JOIN:
@TRPrunner, Andrea Henry (moderator), Running and Peds. Physical Therapist and coach

@Nycrunningmama, Michele King Gonzalez (moderator), Blogger, ultrarunner, and coach

Sponsor: Oiselle

1. Typical Running Shoe (Motion control, Cushioned and Neutral shoe): This shoe typically has a high somewhat cushioned heel (larger drop) and fancy anti-pronation devices forstabilization. Most new runners will want to start out using a shoe in this category. Anyone with significant orthopedic impairments will likely want to stay in this category in general, as it provides cushioning and/or extra control of the foot. This shoe will generally be the shoe used for long slow runs, recovery runs after a tough race on pavement or concrete for recovery and most basic training. This is also a good shoe if you have lax ligaments, such as during pregnancy.

2. Transition shoe: (Light weight shoe with a drop of around 5 mm): These shoes are generally lighter in weight with less support and a slight drop from heel to toe. Runners will need to have good calf, foot flexibility and foot strength before using (see below). These shoes are good to use for the transition from a typical running shoe to more minimalist and barefoot running. They also provide a great opportunity to train at faster paces. They are a good alternative to use for track sessions or shorter runs from ~3-5 miles once the runner is accustomed to using them. While they don’t provide as much cushioning or leverage as racing flats (they are very flexible), some runners can get away with using them during racing.

3: Minimal Shoe: Minimal shoes are very lightweight and flexible with as little midsole and upper as possible. Runners must have sufficient range in ankle dorsiflexion (30 degrees) and first MTP extension (30 degrees) for use. These shoes provide the runner with an opportunity to transition to as close to barefoot as possible without having to significantly worry about running surface issues. For the experienced minimalist user, these shoes may be all the runner uses for running. The newer runner can also use these for foot strengthening and increasing proprioception (joint and tactile foot propriception) for improved overall balance.

4. Trail Shoe: There are a variety of trail shoes (some typical running shoe style and some minimal) but the basic premise is they have an outer sole usually have a special tread made for increased traction. A runner can use these shoes to help take the monotony out of everyday running to get off the roads and onto the trail. This helps a runner learn to slow running down (for long runs), use their propriceptive system more (eyes, joint and tactile foot propriception) on trails and strengthen ankles on the various terrain changes. This may help alleviate the overuse work from the same forward motion in flat surface running.

5. Racing Flat: The racing flat is not a well known shoe (typically used in track and field and cross country) but work a look. Racing flats now have ironically increased in the amount of cushioning and heel rise in recent years, headed in the opposite direction of minimalist shoes. But they tend to be slightly stiffer and are worth a look for the serious racer who wants to run fast in intervals and races with a little more support.

6. Spikes: These are typically a track shoe only. They are similar to a minimal shoe with a very stiff mid and outersole and of course spikes (usually 1/4 or 3/16 length depending on what type of track is available). Most average runners won’t don a pair but they are worth trying if the runner is serious about running a fast mile or shorter distance. These are good to try for the runner who wants to test their all out sprint speed, increase turnover and improve running form. If you have the chance, try a willing friend’s pair on and you will note that full out sprinting and using forefoot landing is very different than mid-foot landing running and it will give you a new appreciation of running form drills. The proper way to use these is a few trials during practice over several weeks (3-4 100 meters) to work into the use and then a trial in a race.

Author: Andrea Henry, PT is a running physical therapist and coach, specializing in running gait analysis and form.

Pictures: Courtesy of photobucket

photo credit: photobucket.com