We started carrying the babies two weeks ago. Leonie Winkel van Dragen is how you do it! visited us to teach our employees how to carry babies in a sling in an ergonomic and responsible way. The employees have also received an explanation about the background and the how and why of wearing it.
Carrying revives
Carrying is an age-old custom, which is being practiced more and more often today. At Kideo we clearly see the benefits. A baby in a sling is less exposed to stimuli and can discover the world from a familiar environment. Colleague Hilja, who works in the baby group, says that she immediately felt the safety of carrying a baby. The babies become calm from the closeness and touch. Hilja, for example, notices that the moments of goodbye become easier when a baby is carried.
Need for physical contact
Being touched is one of a baby's basic needs. When touch occurs, the baby produces oxytocin. This hormone ensures relaxation, peace, better blood circulation, a lower heart rate and a feeling of love and security. Oxytocin plays an important role in making social contact, (mother) bonding and attachment. One-on-one moments are an important aspect of Emmi Pikler's pedagogical vision . A child can enter into multiple attachment relationships and during the moments at Kideo it is important that the staff can offer the babies a warm, safe and predictable base. From this basis, the babies can develop optimally. Leonie Winkel will come by next Monday to give all Babyhuis employees training on safe attachment. In this blog you will find more information about the importance of good adhesion .
Baby at eye level
Colleague Janine, who also works in the baby group, notices that babies from eight months old find it interesting to be at the same eye level as the wearer. In this way, the babies easily make contact with the wearer and the world around them. You can see they enjoy it. There are also babies who do not like to be carried. We always look at the individual and only choose to wear if the baby likes it. Fun fact: Kideo is the first childcare center in Groningen and the surrounding area that chooses to carry babies. We are very proud of this!