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Today’s topic is one that I really feel does not get enough attention in the parenting world, Container Syndrome. I get that parents are busy and it is so convenient to move baby from the car to a stroller by simply moving a seat vs. unstrapping the baby and placing them in a soft carrier or simply holding them. This coupled with increased fear of disease in public places has many parents keeping their baby in a car seat or stroller for excessive amounts of time each day. The problem is prolonged time spent in a container can cause movement, cognitive, social interaction problems, and may even cause deformity or death from positional asphyxiation.
What is Considered a “Container?”
While many parents feel safer with their baby having playtime in some of these popular containers, the restriction of movement that they can cause may lead to multiple developmental issues and delays in rolling, crawling and walking. Some of the typical containers are:
Car seats
Strollers
Bumbo seats
Bouncy swings
Rockers
Bouncer seats
Nursing cushions
Vibrating chairs
Jumpers
Exersaucers
Activity gyms/centers
While all of these containers are OK for use for short amounts of time they should not make up your baby’s entire day. Even many car seat manufacturers recommend that a baby should not be in a car seat for longer than 2 hours, within a 24 hour time period .
What types of Issues can Occur?
There are numerous issues that can arise from prolonged container use such as:
Flathead: The back or the side of the head is abnormally flat.
Facial asymmetry: The sides of the baby's face may appear unequal as a result of skull deformity and flatness.
Torticollis: The baby has difficulty turning the head to one side, or keeping the neck and head straight due to muscle tightness on one side of the neck.
Decreased movement, strength, and coordination.
Speech, sight, hearing, and thinking problems.
Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).
Increased weight/obesity.
What Can I Do Instead?
Limit the amount of time each day your baby spends in containers! Try implementing the ideas below to break the habit or better yet start out with good habits from the day your baby is born.
Use a soft carrier and keep one in your car. This will help you limit the time that your baby is in a car seat or stroller. I have also found this method of carrying your baby a great way to deter strangers from touching them uninvited. Bonus: you can shop, clean or cook with free hands!
Tummy Time. Increase the amount of time that your baby spends on their tummy each day. Remember “back to sleep” only applies to sleeping time and while your baby is awake it is important to their development to spend time on their stomach. If your baby does not seem to like this at first, try laying them on your lap stomach down.
Play Yards. Instead of a container for play time, set up a play yard with age appropriate and safe toys and allow your child free play in this safe space. They will naturally roll around and change positions fostering muscle and cognitive development.
Blanket Play. Allow your baby supervised free play on a blanket frequently.
Who can Help if my Baby has Symptoms?
Your baby's pediatrician will be your first line of contact if you are noticing issues. If the issues are severe your doctor can refer you to a Physical Therapist that can help address the issues, in many cases if caught early symptoms can be resolved or greatly reduced.
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