Baby “containers” and where to put my baby??
Rachel Heidling, OTR/L — March 1st, 2024
What is a baby “container”?
Containers are any devices that inhibit movement. Containers include car seats, strollers, infant lounger, bouncers, activity center-walker combos, jumpers (doorway jumpers, jolly jumpers, exersaucers with bungee cords), and other seating devices (bumbos, “sit-me-ups”, infant floor seats). In 2020 it was reported that on average, infants spend almost 6 hours per day in such containers.
We recommend limiting container use to less than 2 hours a day total, breaking up that time so baby is only in a container for a short period of time (15-30 minutes), and not taking naps in a container.
The problem is that excessive time in containers inhibits movement and places babies at a higher risk of developmental delays, plagiocephaly, decreased strength, and delayed motor milestone attainment. When babies are propped up, they are not actively engaging the muscles required to sit (nor roll, or crawl). Babies with a tight neck are unable to pull out of the position they’re in when placed in a container, this means they are in one position for a prolonged time. If your young baby is in one position for a long period of time, they have increased pressure on that spot on the skull and this leads to head flattening.
What you can use instead…
Don’t get the wrong message here: please keep using your car seat when you’re in the car! However, when not using a “container” for safety purposes, we want babies to have as much unrestricted movement as possible. Great alternatives to “containers” include:
transferring your little guy into a bassinet stroller attachment while on the go
floor time: laying your little one down on a hard flat surface (i.e. a blanket on the ground, on a baby mat, under a baby play gym, or in a pack n play)
using a wrap carrier or your preferred “baby wearing” carrier
holding them in your arms
Specifics on “Baby Wearing”
Baby wearing carriers are technically “containers”, however they provide such great benefits, that it outweighs the risks! Benefits of “baby wearing” include how close baby is to their caregiver and the comfort of being able to smell and hear their parents, breastfeeding mothers stay attuned to baby’s hunger cues, and how they allow for neck strengthening as baby looks around and lifts head to look at their caregiver (it’s modified tummy time!). Baby wearing is linked to reduced crying as it can be soothing for babies to feel the warmth of a caregiver, hear the rhythmic heart beat (the original sound machine…), and babies are bounced as caregivers walk about, providing calming vestibular input (the original baby bouncer…).
The biggest risk of over using “containers” for young infants is increased risk of plagiocephaly (head flattening) and prolonged torticollis (neck tightness on one side). However, when your baby is in a baby wearing carrier, you can alternate which side they lay their head on while cuddled up to you. Alternating sides they rest their head on and particularly which side they on while in the carrier can both stretch the neck and help round the skull!
While we’re talking about baby carriers, make sure you’re supporting hip development by keeping their hips and knees bent, with thighs supported by carrier and knees higher than bottom in a “frog” or “M” position between 0-6 months.
Make “Floor Time” Realistic
I know from personal experience how odd it feels to simply put your baby down on the floor, especially with grandmas and aunties over our shoulder insisting we use some fancy fluffy product. But truly, a hard surface is the safest and most developmentally appropriate place to place an infant while at home. To make this more feasible and realistic, I highly recommend setting up “floor time hot spots” around your house. This means a blanket, baby mat, or baby play gym in spaces you will be spending a lot of time like next to the couch (so mama can rest!), in the kitchen, and/or your bedroom. I used to have one small blanket in my bedroom that I used while getting ready in the morning and dragged this in/out of the bathroom as needed.
It’s during floor time, that babies work on visually tracking, tummy time, bringing their hands together (midline), bringing feet to mouth, rolling in both directions, sitting, and crawling! All these motor skills take time and practice, so you can feel confident placing them on the floor knowing you’re helping their development!
The toys needed during the newborn days at these hotspots are minimal as they’re fascinated by every day sights and sounds. They can explore a ladle or a spatula while laying in the kitchen, a baby book while in your bedroom, and a floor mirror while in the living room. Less is more throughout infancy - they are discovering these simple items for the first time! We desperately want them to "be entertained” and intellectually stimulated but remember that while you and I would be bored by such activities, they are not! In fact, fewer toy options available for our littles to explore has been linked to increased attention, increased creativity, and a more thorough understanding of the toy. This concept holds true for books - to some extent, littles thrive on repetition. So with that, take all the pressure to constantly be introducing novel toys off your plate!
Red flags??
Unable to hold head upright and keep centered by 2 months
Strong head turn preference or often propped in the same position/looking towards one side
A flat spot on baby’s head (younger than 5 months)
Diagnosis of Torticollis or Plagiocephaly
If your little experiences any of the above, book a FREE 15 Minute Call with Rachel to discuss if her virtual Infant Development consultations would be right for you!
