Babies that dislike carriers

Posted on May 1, 2008 by Orit

I have met with several, though few, babies who displayed a certain reluctance towards being carried in a carrier. It is quite rare, and I suspect more common in our modern society than in in traditional societies.

From everything I have seen and learnt from experts, I understand the unwillingness of these babies to be cradled or otherwise carried has to do with a general difficulty of relaxing their bodies. Most of these babies have high body tonus. They tend to be tense most of them time, move and stretch their limbs constantly and tend to arch their backs.

These symptoms may be more or less significant, and may influence differently baby’s preferences regarding the carrier. Some will only refuse certain carrying positions- usually the cradle. Others may refuse the whole concept of being carried, and seem to prefer the floor or the stroller.

The parents of these babies often interpret baby behaviour as a sign that they either don’t need or don’t want to be carried, and give up using a carrier altogether, although often against their will and with heartache. Others follow baby’s preferences and only carry them in certain positions- usually the popular facing out position- in a manner that actually enhances baby’s tendency to be tense, because he’s unable to lean on mommy and relax.

However, from my experience, it is possible to overcome baby’s difficulty to relax by strong contact, such as baby massage, and particular exercises designed to help them learn to be more curved and relaxed. When I meet such babies I advise their parents to consult with a physiotherapist, expert in baby development, and those parent who did, reported a significant improvement.