The baby is born round. This requires the squat position. The spine stretches in three stages and takes about a year. The stretching takes place from top to bottom and begins with the cervical spine. The child can lift its head when lying on its stomach, hold it up by itself, turn it, etc. Later it can also do this when lying on its back. The stretching of the 7 cervical vertebrae (cervical lordosis) is now complete.
The child then strengthens the flexor and extensor muscles of the body (flexor muscles in the chest and stomach area, extensor muscles in the buttocks and pelvic area). Gradually, the entire middle section of the spine with the 12 thoracic vertebrae stretches (thoracic kyphosis). This stretching is complete when the child can sit upright on his or her own.
This is followed by the extension of the 5 lumbar vertebrae of the lumbar spine (lumbar lordosis). When the child can walk alone, this stage and thus the extension of the spine is complete.
With knowledge of the development of the spine, the following requirements for an optimal baby sling arise:
- The sling must be elastic, but at the same time support the child firmly and consistently.
- The sling must enclose the baby's body like a tight bandage.
- The sling should be tied in such a way that it absorbs the movements and shocks of the wearer and transfers them from the child's spine back to the wearer.
This protects the child’s sensitive vertebrae and intervertebral discs.
It is important to ensure that the squatting position is exactly right, as this will ensure a healthy back and the healthy development of the still cartilaginous hip joint.
Our Storchenwiege ® baby sling meets these requirements particularly due to its good diagonal elasticity.
If the Storchenwiege ® sling is tied tightly and precisely, it is ideal for a healthy carrying experience for the child and mother or father.
