S a f e t y a n d P o s i t i o n i n g
f o r a l l C a r r i e r P o s i t i o n s
U s i n g y o u r I z m i
®
C a r r i e r
i n S p e c i a l S i t u a t i o n s
14
15
Izmi
®
baby carriers may be adapted for use in many situations. Always ensure
that all safety advice is followed. Do not use your carrier in special situations if
you are at all unsure about suitability or your baby’s safety. Seek advice from a
health professional and/or babywearing consultant.
Breastfeeding in your Izmi
®
Baby Carrier:
Izmi
®
baby carriers may be used as an aid to breastfeeding, provided all safety
measures above are followed. To protect the baby’s airways, ensure that their
spine is supported, that no fabric covers their head or face and that they can
breathe freely through their nose. Support their head with a hand or arm until
they have the head and neck control to latch on and off by themselves (5+
months approx).
Monitor your baby at all times while feeding, and return them
to an upright position as soon as they have finished.
Low Birthweight and Premature Babies:
IMPORTANT:
Babies born prematurely and/or with a low birth weight are at
greater risk of suffocation. Take extra care, and seek advice from a health
professional before using your carrier.
The guideline age-ranges in this manual may not be realistic if your baby/babies
were born prematurely. Check your baby’s level of postural control for each
carrying position, and do not use the carrier if you are concerned for your
baby’s safety.
Carrying Multiples or Siblings:
Please read important information about premature and low birthweight babies
above.
For 2 babies aged 4+ months, and who can support their head unaided:
You may use two Izmi
®
baby carriers to carry two babies with one baby on each
hip.
For 2 babies aged 6+ months, and who can sit unaided:
You may use two
Izmi
®
baby carriers to carry two babies with one baby on the front, and one on
the back. Ensure that any baby carried on your back is able to sit unaided.
More information can be found on our website
www.izmibaby.co.uk
Good positioning of your baby in your Izmi
® baby
carrier will make it easier
and more comfortable to use.
Ensure that all straps are tightened to support
your baby’s weight snug and secure against your body. If your baby can lean
away from you or is held too low then carrying will quickly become tiring and
uncomfortable. Be aware that all babies are different, and react differently
when carried in different positions.
Carrying Height:
For your baby’s safety, carry your baby so that you can easily kiss their head. A
good guide is to position your baby at the height that you naturally hold them
in your arms. This will help ensure that your baby’s weight is supported with
minimum strain and maximum support.
Hip Healthy Positioning:
To support healthy hip development, position your baby with their legs in their
natural ‘froggy legged’ position; knees higher than hips/bottom and feet lower
than knees. Benefits of this natural positioning for hips and
legs include:
Recommended for healthy hip development
Supports good positioning for your baby’s pelvis and spine
Improves ergonomic weight distribution for you, making
carrying more comfortable
Young babies hold their legs close to their body in a foetal, ‘tucked up’ position.
As they grow their legs will gradually open out to a wider ‘spread squat’ position.
Do not force a baby’s legs into a wider position than they are ready for; check
how your baby naturally holds their legs when carried in your arms or in an infant
car seat, and adjust the carrier seat accordingly.
Spine and Pelvis Positioning:
Spine supported in its natural ‘J’ shaped curve without slumping.
Pelvis tilted up towards the carrying adult. This pelvic tilt helps to relax your
baby’s spine and will lift the knees up into their natural ‘froggy legged’ position.
