Modern parents try to use various new-fashioned devices to facilitate the care and handling of the baby. One of these devices, which have achieved great popularity recently, can be called a kangaroo for carrying newborn children. What is it and what is this unique little thing designed for, read in the article.
Bag / backpack / carrying a kangaroo is a special device for carrying newborns. It is mounted on the shoulders and belt of the parent with the help of reliable mounts. The child is placed inside the carrying bag in a lying or sitting position (depending on the age of the child) and fixed with a special belt (See picture above).
Advantages of Kangaroo Carriers:
- the child is near and always under supervision;
- the woman’s hands are free and she can independently perform certain household chores;
- with such a device, walks will become a real pleasure (you do not need to lower a heavy carriage along the floors and push it in front of you for several hours);
- the baby, feeling the warmth and closeness of the mother, will be calm, and under measured wiggle will quickly fall asleep;
- Compared to expensive strollers, the Kenguryatnik is a rather economical and profitable acquisition.
From what age to use
Kangaroos can be used by parents almost immediately from the moment the baby is born. The only and main rule - to carry newborns, it is necessary to select special models in which you can place the baby lying. The newborn should be in front and facing the mother. It is recommended to use similar models when the baby is in a horizontal position (up to 5 months).
When the baby tries take a seat, and his spine is ready to load and maintain its own weight, you can go to the kangaroo models with a vertical arrangement of the child.
Most models of kangaroo backpacks are designed for 10-12 kg (average baby weight is 9-12 months). However, at this age, children begin to learn the world themselves, taking their first steps and usually less needs to be carried.
Kangaroo bags are quite simple and easy to use. Nevertheless, it is important before each use to check the integrity of the fasteners, the reliability of fixation.
How to choose
When choosing a kangaroo, it is important to focus on some points:
- The quality of the material the bag is made of.
The skin of babies is very sensitive and susceptible. In this regard, choosing a “kenguryatnik”, make sure that it is made of high quality materials that have passed testing and quality control.
- Reliable fixation.
It is on how reliable the fastenings and locks are for fixing the backpack for carrying, the safety of the child and the calm of the parents depend.Therefore, pay special attention to the width of the straps, seams, locks.
- Convenience.
This applies to both mom and baby. For mothers, convenience should consist in quick donning, the understandable use of such a bag for carrying a baby, the presence of not only straps on the shoulders, but also a lumbar belt (this contributes to the optimal distribution of load on the spine and prolonged wearing without fatigue).
For the baby, the convenience of moving in a kangaroo backpack is especially important. If the baby is comfortable - he will be happy to walk in such a bag! Parents should remember that for the convenience of the child, the “kenguryatnik” should have sufficient space that will not squeeze the baby and hamper his movements. The back of the backpack should be stiff, with a high headrest. This will provide the newborn with a “place to sleep”. Particularly convenient in such cases are transformer models in which children can be worn both vertically and horizontally.
- Pay attention to what age manufacturers recommend this or that model.
- Carrying should be able to adjust the size.
When buying a kangaroo for a newborn, it is advisable to try it together with the baby. This is the only way to understand whether it is suitable for you and your child or not. Also pay attention to the presence of additional pockets where you can put the necessary things, a protective hood. It must be possible to adjust the size.
Precautions
A long stay of the baby in a certain position, the limitation of his movements can lead to blood stasis and rapid fatigue. To avoid this it is recommended to use a kangaroo no more than 1-2 hours. Every 20-30 minutes, it is advisable to take a break and remove the newborn from the bag. This will allow both the child and the mother to relax.
The legs and arms of the baby should remain free. A wide seat helps to dilute the baby's legs and provides additional prevention of dysplasia.
Parents should also pay attention to the fact that the belts and other parts of the bag do not rub the skin of the child, and the headrest reliably fixes its head.
You should not use baby kangaroos when cooking, being near a hot stove, eating.
When carrying a child with the help of a “kenguryatnik”, a young mother should be especially careful and attentive, because such a device somewhat obscures the view.
Watch the video:
How to carry a child in a kangaroo backpack face forward:
Sling or Kangaroo
Sling is considered a great alternative to kangaroos, especially for children under 6 months of age. In a sling, the baby’s posture is as close as possible to the physiological position of the mother in her arms.
Slings are simple and easy to use, do not take up much space. The baby is especially comfortable in a soft sling, which does not hamper his movement.
However, when the child grows up, and his manipulations with objects and his own actions expand significantly, it is better to purchase a kangaroo backpack, in which the baby is much more likely to carry it. So, in a baby kangaroo you can carry a child in several ways: in front facing the mother or from the mother, as well as behind.
Opinions of experts
Pediatricians, orthopedists and other pediatricians are quite skeptical of this invention, referring to its harmfulness. They determine this by the fact that for up to 6 months the baby should be in a free position and not experience stress on the spine and pelvic area. In the case of using the “kenguryatnik” such a load takes place. However, at the age of 5-6 months, when the baby makes attempts to sit on its own, the use of such devices is allowed. Up to this age, it is better to use models with a horizontal position or a sling.
See sling articles:
Types of slings, how to choose and how to wear a sling we read here in this publication -https://kid.htgetrid.com/en/veshhi-dlya-malyisha/kak-i-kakoy-sling-vyibrat-dlya-novorozhdennogo-rebenka.html.
Sling is not necessary to buy, it can be do it yourself.
See video: Sling scarf, “Kangaroo” winding
Thus, for newborns, a kangaroo carrying bag is a great option for modern parents! These inventions will allow young mothers to easily go shopping, go to the library, and go on a visit. And at the same time, “valuable cargo” is always nearby and safe! The only thing to consider is that it is advisable to use kangaroo rucksacks for no more than 1-2 hours a day.
Read on: choose a stroller for a child
Another video:
Pretty convenient fixture. Recently, more and more of my friends use slings and kangaroos. A good addition is slingobus, which allows the child not to be bored and at the same time study the colors and textures of materials.
I tried two types of kenguryatniks, none could satisfy my requests. A very inconvenient device, all the time you are afraid that the child is not comfortable in it. But my husband happily puts on a “harness”, Serge, even manages to fall asleep in it.
I carried my baby in a kangaroo backpack. Not long before my pregnancy I wore a girlfriend's daughter in a similar, I liked it. The usual, with an inflated back, I only bought a model for a newer back, bent back when the child has his back to you, so as not to block his view.
“Kangaroo” has become a real find for me. I find it very convenient to use. Especially when you need to go to the store, or when you just need free hands. But the back gets tired from long walking, especially when the baby has already grown up.