Let’s Know More About M Shape Sling and its Benefits

Do you know how to hold a baby properly and correctly? Every parent usually has their way of holding their baby comfortably. One of them is by using an M Shape carrier. However, how to hold a baby should not be done carelessly because it can affect their growth and development.

Carrying a baby in the M shape style has been implemented for a long time. It is considered the most comfortable position for babies because it is similar to a baby’s position when it is in the womb. However, some people think this way of holding is not safe for babies and can cause the shape of the legs to swell into adulthood.

For more details about how to carry and the benefits of an M shape carrier, let’s see the full review below.

M Shape Sling at a Glance

M Shape carrier is a baby carrier made in such a way according to the baby’s natural position while in the womb. Hold the M Shape is done with the baby’s legs stretched out and lightly lifted, and the back is in a C-shaped position.

This M Shape holding position can be applied to newborns until babies begin to walk on their own. Although many are worried about this method, carrying with the M shape position is a safe way of carrying and has been established as an international standard because it has many benefits.

To hold the baby in this position, you can use a special carrier such as a soft structured carrier (SSC) or an M shape carrier. This carrier is safer and more natural for the baby, making it more comfortable.

Make sure to choose the right brand and type of carrier because not all can be used for newborns. If you want to be more secure, you can choose a carrier from a foreign brand because it is usually equipped with pads to be safe even for newborns.

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How to Carry M Shape

Carrying in the M shape position is very common for babies. However, you must apply the right way of carrying. If done the wrong way, it can cause the baby to be uncomfortable and harm its bones. In addition, you also need to understand the M Shape sling for what age before using it.

Then how to carry the correct M shape? If you want to carry in this way, pay attention to a few things below. 

• Position the baby’s body facing the parent’s chest.

• The baby is in an upright position with the buttocks lower than the knees, which makes the knees push up to form the letter M
• Make sure the baby’s pelvis is in the cavity of the sling
• Make certain the baby’s neck is in a supported position with the cloth and doesn’t look up too much
• Position, the baby, are back slightly bent in a shape that resembles the letter C

This M shape-holding position is natural, like when the baby is in the mother’s womb. While still in the womb, the baby is in the knees and hips bent toward the baby’s body. At the same time, the baby’s back will form a C towards the baby.

When babies are born into the world, they are usually not able to automatically straighten their bodies. Generally, they will maintain the posture of this position until a few not until the baby’s joints can straighten. This makes the M shape carrier one of the most comfortable holding positions for babies.

You need to know; there is a holding position that turns out to be unsuitable for babies, namely a carrying position where the baby’s feet are held with the back and knees straight, and the feet are brought together. This position is the opposite of the baby’s position in the womb, so it is pretty dangerous if forced on a newborn.

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Benefits of the M Shape Sling

Carrying a baby in the M shape position turns out to have many benefits. Some of the benefits include:

1. Practical and Easy to Travel

One of the benefits that you can feel with an M shaped finger carrier or other cloth is that it makes it easier to travel with your little one. You do not need to carry a stroller to travel with this way of carrying. Besides being more practical and making it easier for parents to move, your little one will also be more comfortable.

2. Safer for Babies

Holding with the M shape position makes the baby’s position stick to the parent’s chest. This can protect the baby from the hands of people who want to touch it. In several studies, babies often handled by other people’s hands are at high risk of developing health problems such as fever and flu due to bacteria and germs that stick to their hands. However, the baby will be more protected and less exposed by holding the M shape.

3. Able to Make Babies Calm

Based on research conducted by “Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Babywearing”, when a baby wants an injection and is first carried in an M shape carrier for approximately 15 minutes, the potential for crying will decrease by up to 65 per cent.

The baby who is carried in the M shape position also makes his sleep more deep. The benefits of this sling can show increased resistance to stress and psychomotor development when the baby is 12 months old.

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4. Good for Cognitive and Social Development

Another benefit of holding an M shaped baby is good for cognitive and social development. Babies held in this position can see what their parents are looking at. They can also hear what the parents are saying and overall will be more involved in their parents’ daily lives. This will allow babies to learn more and interact with their environment.

5. Can Reduce the Risk of Postpartum Depression

One more benefit of the M shape carrier than the hip seat carrier is that it can reduce the risk of postpartum depression for the mother. The interaction between mother and baby while being carried can increase self-confidence, helping mothers improve their overall mental well-being.

Holding the M shape also allows mothers to solve social isolation problems because it can make it easier to walk and stay active to meet many people. More time to do skin to skin when carrying an M shape 1-month baby can also make you more relaxed to reduce postpartum depression.

That’s how to hold a baby in the M shape position that you need to know. For parents, especially mothers, holding a baby is one thing that will be done quite often. Therefore, make sure to choose the right way of holding so that the baby is more comfortable. An M shape sling can be one of the safest alternative ways to hold a baby and is proven to have many benefits.