Indigo Cocoons

The Why's of Indigo Cocoons

Why is baby wearing helpful?

So many reasons. Its practical, loving, physically and emotionally strengthening (for both of you), not to mention practical. Dr Michelle Hand, a Chirporactor experienced in caring for mothers and babies says the following about our Cocoons:

"The Wrap is great for both the baby and the mother. The child receives valuable stimulation in varied positions, and enjoys being so close to their mother. For a newborn the correct wrapping technique gives necessary support to the head and neck, and as they grow the different positions that the child is wrapped in help to reinforce the development of normal spinal curves. The mother is able to maintain good posture with the child supported on either the front or back, and still have their hands free to go about their day.

One of the activities that most commonly causes low back pain in mothers is lifting and carrying their children on one hip. As the child grows there is a time when they are very heavy to lift and carry, but are still too young to walk everywhere. The wrap offers a wonderful solution. The adaptability of the Wrap based on the child’s age is fantastic."

Physical benefits-

For parents:

I have found using my wrap to be very helpful in strengthening my core muscles, especially after an emergency caesarean with my 2^nd baby. If you have had a recent caesarean please respect what your body has been through and treat it gently, and when your body says enough, listen.

The fact is that you are doing weight bearing exercise, with the weight spread over your shoulders, torso, hips and therefore your feet. Osteoporosis commonly affects the hips, as well as neck and spine. Research has shown that weight bearing exercise and extended breastfeeding will help reduce the risk of osteoporosis.
The skin on the upper chest- above a woman’s breasts and below the neck- has many oxytocin receptors. These receptors are stimulates with skin-to-skin contact, like when a baby is placed on her mothers’ chest straight after birth. When a baby is in a front tie, such as a kangaroo tie, these receptors are often stimulated. Oxytocin is known as the ‘hormone of love’ and is useful not just in birth, where you may have heard of it before, but is very important in breastfeeding, bonding, and being in a relaxed, loving state. Many mothers and fathers don’t know why it feels so good to have their baby snuggled up on their front, they just know it feels so right, and loving. But now you know part of the reason.

For baby-

Studies have shown that babies who are frequently carried cry up to 40% less than those who are not.
It enhances a babes motor development, as well as sense of balance as they are in constant motion.

A babes body temperature, heartbeat, breathing, sleep cycles and other body systems become regular and more established the more they are in contact with an adult.
Babies who are carried, in arms or carrier, spend more time in a state of ‘quiet alertness’ that is the optimal state for learning. They are not spending time and energy trying to get your attention or needs met, and all the energy that is spent in fretful crying can then go into learning, growing, developing.

When in the wrap, you know exactly where your baby is and what is in their mouth, if they are hot or cold, windy, sleepy, playful, you know that the baby is breathing and generally well. You are not required to spend hours breaking your back over a cot trying to get a baby to sleep on her own, or to simply stare and soak up the loveliness of your baby. You do not have to go in and out of the room to make sure your baby is still sleeping, or warm enough. Nor does your baby have to try and get you to come in and then reestablish the relationship to then be able to communicate a need.
Babywearing is the basis of Kangaroo care that is recommended for premature babies- If its good enough for the most fragile, and sensitive of babes it’s good enough for full terms babes and beyond!

Emotional benefits:

A lot of the physical benefits result in a reduction of stress and anxiety in parents and babies. Because your baby is right there you don’t have to worry what he is doing or might need. Because you are right there your baby doesn’t have to feel frightened by being on his own, which babes are not designed for. He also doesn’t have to worry when or if you are coming back.
Babies need to be held a lot, and held close. We can spend a lot of money and time investing in toys, dummies, blankies, heartbeat bears and other such gimmicks to convince babies that their mothers are just there because you really are just there. The fact that all these things exist tell us that babies need to be close, need to feel the mothers and fathers heartbeat, breath and movement; and they need it a lot.
For the parent who works, holding the baby in a wrap snuggled up close, can be a wonderful way to reconnect after a day at work. Also great for grandparents to babysit and cuddle- a child is loved by more than just his parents.
Look at all the traditional cultures; each and every single one of them has a way of carrying babies like this. Indeed, babes in Bali are carried exclusively for 6 months, and have a ‘ground touching ceremony’ at around 6mnths of age. I would be surprised if only Balinese babies had this need. It’s what babies have evolved to expect and feel secure. It’s what parents have evolved to expect and find comforting.
Its undemanding contact, and a way of creating the ‘4^th trimester of pregnancy’.
Not to mention helpful with bonding. Some mothers and fathers have difficulty bonding with their child, there is no shame in this, and I can completely understand why if they only hold their children to feed or burp, change nappy or clothes. They miss out on all the lovely snuggliness of just holding a baby without having to do anything for them. Looking after a baby is a lot of demanding work, and if you aren’t feeling the love in return, it makes it so much harder again.

Cognitive and social development:

Social interaction is so much more than a baby in a pram. I never really thought about it until I read somewhere that people don’t interact much with a baby or toddler in a pram, but they will talk to a baby at eye level. It’s so true. Even being aware of this, I sometimes still find myself unconsciously ignoring a child in a pram, tucked away and secluded from the rest of society. In contrast I have had people talk to the baby on my back and ignore me!
All this interaction is teaching social skills. Babies learn from day one how you interact with people and situations, from the very safe place of your loving embrace, via the wrap. I have been able to take my children at any age into even the most mind numbing of places with long waits (think licensing centers, banks, etc) and they have always known what is ok and what is not. I might have to gently remind from time to time, but I am not teaching, for they have already learnt.
When a child is in the wrap, they have every opportunity to see every day tasks and learning how we move our bodies, how we manipulate objects, how we speak and interact. It’s far and away easier to chatter to your baby on your front or just over your shoulder than to chatter to a baby in the pram, facing away from you.
When all this socialising and learning gets a bit much, and babe needs a break she is already in a safe, loving embrace, and so she can easily have a feed and snooze with the wrap supporting her head and blocking out the world a little. You will also have conversations with people you would never have talked to otherwise, bringing the community a little closer together.
Also with the one off designs from Indigo Cocoons, you will be wearing a piece of fashion that will be talked about and admired wherever you go.

Practical:

As much as I love all the other reasons to wear a wrap, and there are many, it’s the practicality that has made me a fan. I am carrying my baby with 2 hands free to do what needs to be done.

   Public transport is so easy. Prime example- I picked up my eldest from kindy with the double stacker pram thinking it would be best. I had to wait 2 hours to get on a bus that could accommodate a pram. Now when we get the bus the youngest goes on my back while the other walks. You can take your babe into a crowded place- markets or busy shopping centres, outdoor festivals, cafes - and not have to run over toes and barge past everyone. I see parents taking prams into our local, busy, farmers market and can't help but wonder why.

      How many times have you tried to get your pram through a tightly packed shop with narrow isles? Or had to ask people to move theirs chairs to fit the pram through? Never had to do that when using a Cocoon.

   If you want to weed the garden you can with a baby on your back. Or, like me, you find a friend that likes weeding and has no garden to tend!

     You can cook dinner- using common sense and caution. Only cook with a baby on your back, and not splattering hot oil and the like.

     You can hang out the washing.

     You can vacuum.

     You can do anything you need to do as you would have done it without a baby. I do not suggest bike or horse riding or proper swimming with a babe on your back. Use common sense.

     The inevitable bag to go with the baby is trickier to carry than the baby!

If your toddler needs to be carried, or you have twins, it is very possible to carry 2 children at once.

When babes and toddlers are sick, often all they want are cuddles. While this is very loving, it does not entertain the other children or get dinner made. Being able to put your unwell toddler or baby into the wrap on your front means that he can breastfeed as much as needed have cuddles and lots of sleep without the house falling down around you because you can only sit on the lounge or bed holding your sick child. If a trip to the hospital turns out to be necessary, you don't have to try and manage a pram as well. Anything that you don't have to think about or deal with when taking your little one to hospital is a blessing- trust me.

Why a Woven Wrap?

There are many baby carriers available on the market. Pouch and ring slings, structured front & back packs, Mei Teis, stretch and woven wraps are the main ones. They all vary in comfort, cost, versatility and ease of wearing and learning.

A woven hemp wrap is the most versatile and long wearing baby carrier. They are more versatile as you can carry your baby or child in front of you, on your hip or on your back, meeting your needs as well as your childs. When not in use as a wrap, they also double as nappy change blankets, picnic blankets, sun or wind protection, a lightweight blanket for cool evenings, dress ups, cubby houses and everything in between.

Our Cocoon will go around both shoulders and torso, often hips as well, thoroughly spreading your child’s weight. I still carry my 4 year old from time to time on my back, as she still needs snuggly time with Mamma.

A wrap from Indigo Cocoons is durable and long lasting, meaning that it will last you for the carrying time of at least two children, possibly more.

When you finally can no longer use your Indigo Cocoon, it can even go in your compost. You don't even have to send it to the already very full landfill sites.