infant care – Carol Gray

The Safe to Sleep Program, SIDS and SUID

Carol Gray Babies, Birth, Infants, Postpartum, Pregnancy, Wellness August 3, 2024August 18, 2024accidental suffocation and strangulation in bed, ASSB, babies, back to sleep, breastfeeding, carol gray, cot death, crib death, death certificates, infant care, infant sleep, parenting, safe to sleep, science, sids, sleep apnea, sudden infant death syndrome, sudden unexpected infant death, suid, unexpected infant death

Why are We Putting Babies to Sleep on Their Backs?

The Hong Kong Studies

In 1985 after retrospectively investigating only 15 deaths, researchers concluded that that Hong Kong had a much lower rate of unexplained infant deaths than that of Western countries. They cited a low incidence of preterm birth in Hong Kong (a known risk factor for unexplained infant death) and two significant differences in infant sleep environments — crowded living conditions and the traditional Chinese practice of putting babies to sleep on their backs. Given the absurdity of recommending crowded living conditions and the unlikelihood of reducing preterm birth, they went with the supine sleep recommendation in their conclusions. Read more

Eat

Carol Gray Babies, Infants, Wellness September 14, 2021August 5, 2024babies, baby food purees, baby led weaning, bodywork, breastfeeding, carol gray, infant care, infant sleep, parenting, science, self-feeding, sleep apnea, spoon feeding, squeeze tubes, umbilical cord clamping

Parents ask me about solid food introduction all the time. Here’s my take on it.

Babies Need Iron

Babies store iron in their bodies while they gestate. Milk has next to no iron in it. At some point after birth, babies’ iron stores begin to diminish. This is often when they show signs of interest in iron-rich solid food. Hopefully, this occurs around the time they are developmentally ready in other ways. Unfortunately, some babies have their cords clamped and cut too soon after birth and don’t get all of their own iron-rich blood – some of which remains in the placenta or umbilical cord. This can lead to anemia down the road or a premature necessity for solids or supplements before the baby is otherwise ready. Read more

Things We Do (After Birth) to Prevent Babies From Moving

Carol Gray Babies, Bodywork, Infants, Wellness August 10, 2021August 5, 2024babies, baby swings, bodywork, bottle nursing, brachycephaly, breastfeeding, bumbo seats, carol gray, cradleboards, craniosacral therapy, developmental delay, fetal constraint, hip dysplagia, infant car seats, infant care, infant constraint, infant furniture, infant seats, infant sleep, johnny jump up, jolly jumper, jumperoo, making room for babies, mamaspace yoga, motor skill acquisition, parenting, plagiocephaly, play mats, primitive, primitive reflexes, science, sleep, strollers, stuck babies, swaddling, walkers

I can’t leave The Stuck Baby Series without describing baby immobilization and container lifestyle. In this article I outline the most significant ways in which we prevent our babies from moving after they are born. It seems like the perfect preparation for a sedentary life in a recliner in front of a screen. Read more

Flat Spots

Carol Gray Babies, Bodywork, Infants, Wellness June 22, 2021August 5, 2024babies, back to sleep, birth outcomes, birth preparation, bodywork, brachycephaly, breastfeeding, carol gray, container culture, craniosacral therapy, fetal constraint, flat heads, infant care, infant sleep, making room for babies, mamaspace yoga, optimal fetal positioning, parenting, pinhead, plagiocephaly, pregnancy yoga, pregnant, self care, sids, suid, synostosis, torticollis, yoga

I see lots of babies who have flat spots on their heads (plagiocephaly) in my Craniosacral Therapy practice.

Container-Baby Culture and Flat Heads

The most common variety is the broad flat spot on the back of the head – an artifact of the Back to Sleep Program, swaddling for sleep and time spent in car seats, baby seats and swings that have a flat, firm surface. My mantra is: Back to sleep, tummy for play, car seats only for car rides and in arms or slings the rest of the time. Of course, this doesn’t mesh well with what most Americans actually do with their babies – especially the car seat and “infant furniture:”part. Read more