container syndrome, are you putting your baby at risk?

Car carriers, strollers, swings and bouncers the modern conveniences of busy mothers are now linked to causing developmental delays in our children. I never heard of container syndrome until today. The term was coined by researchers who discovered developmental delays in children who are in “containers” for a considerable amount of time.

These “containers” or modern conveniences put a considerable amount of pressure on the back of babies heads, which can cause flattened skull or in more severe cases development delays.

“When a baby is strapped in the container, his neck is immobilized, preventing him from using all the muscles needed to grow normally. This can delay crawling, walking, sitting or even speaking.”

A 2006 study found that 22 percent of babies who slept on their backs had some delays but at the same time has also reduced the incidence of SIDS b 50 percent. So what does that mean?

Try to limit or prevent the use of car carriers, strollers, swings and bouncers to 3 hours a day and allow your baby plenty of tummy time 2 hours at least.

I used all of the “containers” with both my kids so who knows how strong this research is. My daughter walked just shy of her 1st birthday and crawled at 6 months. My son held his head up almost since they day he was born, crawled at 5 months and is on his way to walking and he’s not even 8 months old. He never really liked the swing and hated the bouncer so we have stopped using both for him. And my daughter stopped using the swing once she was able to crawl.

Just to be on the safe side they suggest carrying your baby rather than haul them around in the car seat carrier. I never liked them myself; they were too bulky and got extremely heavy. So I found myself toting my son in baby carriers, baby wraps and slings. Wearing your baby is convenient for mom as it leaves your hands free and great for baby as it gives them a chance to look around and explore, building muscle tone.
Is this study enough for you to toss out the containers of modern parenting?

Source: http://www.newschannel5.com

4 Responses to “container syndrome, are you putting your baby at risk?”

Amy(sunshinestreet) August 20th, 2008 at 11:09 am

Great article, Stephanie. I have heard of this phenomenon for several years. I do know that I hate to see a mommy lugging around that huge carrier all the time. Baby just sort of bounces around in it. It seems that often it would just be easier to carry them, rather than tote an extra 10 pound contraption!

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Alissa August 28th, 2008 at 7:01 pm

Wow, I’ve never heard it called Container Syndrome, either. It is so sad, though, because I have seen the babies who go from container to container and are rarely held. FWIW I have no problem with the use of swings, bouncy seats, etc (although the car seat is heavy and bulky!!). I think they have their place, but they’re not for hours and hours of use. And, in case you didn’t know, holding your baby in a baby carrier counts for tummy time! It helps strengthen baby’s neck muscles and doesn’t put pressure on their heads.
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campbell October 6th, 2008 at 7:32 pm

I am an early childhood special education teacher who has often pondered the reasons for the sharp rise in autism and sensory integration issues. I have come to believe that the “containers” we use which limit movement and sensory input as well as reduce social interaction, by removing babies from “face-to-face” time, may play a role in development of these disorders in some children. Combined with the overuse of “screen time” at very young ages, we are training our babies brains in ways that never have been happened before.

Emily October 8th, 2008 at 10:54 am

Another reason for the rise in development issues is all the chemicals we are introducing to our bodies from birth. Like lotions and MSG. There was a study done on baby lotions harming the reproductive system of the babies and they now recommend not using lotions on infants. Also, there is new research on plastic causing cancer. However, there have been people saying these things for a long time and the media labeled them as loony.

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