Container Baby Syndrome

I’m sure you’re asking “what are you talking about?”. Simply put it’s when babies are moved from one container to another throughout the day (Container Baby Shuffle) and they develop certain symptoms as a result. Container Baby Syndrome / Container Baby Shuffle happens easily, it is part of our day to day reality, and part of our busy structured lifestyles. I also feel that the way we live, often without extended family or without lots of friends in the same position, has contributed to the need for parents to have somewhere safe to put their babies while they grab a few minutes for the necessary activities of daily life.

 

What constitutes a container?

Blog-2-Baby-Bouncer-165x165 Blog-2-Baby-Bean-Bags-165x165 Blog-2-Baby-Walker-165x165 Blog-2-Exo-Saucer-165x165 Blog-2-High-Chair-165x165 Blog-2-Pram-2-165x165

These containers allow you to keep your baby safe, to transport them from one place to another and to keep baby entertained for playtime. Unfortunately, despite the babysitting benefits, these containers also keep baby from exploring movement and limit his ability to use all parts of his body in play. Health professionals working with babies and pre-walkers feel that this kind of “immobilising” may be the cause of a number of issues relating to skull head shape, and delays in reaching the developmental milestones such as rolling, crawling, and walking. What we find is that if these skills are delayed, they can impact on other areas of a child’s development such as play, social skills, and speech.

Major factors contributing to Container Baby Syndrome

In 1992, new guidelines were introduced by health care workers to help prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). SIDS was thought to be caused by infants sleeping on their stomachs with soft material around them that could block their breathing leading to death. So a campaign was developed called ‘Back to Sleep’, this included placing babies on their backs and removing cot obstacles. Since this program, there has been a fifty percent decrease in SIDS, and I always say to parents “I’m old enough to have friends whose babies died from SIDS and the result of this program is wonderful”. The downside is that tummy time has reduced significantly, and the time babies spend in containers has dramatically increased.

Many parents may extend the ‘back to sleep’ position to day to day ‘awake time’ to keep their baby safe. For others, it is containers for baby-sitting and where the baby seems restful and content. I always mention, “well yes, I like being in my rocking chair but if I did it all day, I would get weak and find going to the gym and exercising hard work and tiring, and it’s the same for babies”.

Because of the container positioning, baby spends less time on his tummy, holding up his own head, sitting on his own or using his hands for balance, rolling etc.

Once they are taken out of the containers and put on their tummy to play, babies express their discontent with ‘gym’ time by crying. This can cause parents to be concerned and they put their baby back in the container and thus begins the container baby shuffle!! Even if a baby is unsettled, this tummy time is a baby’s work time where they are learning movement skills integral to development. Tummy time provides the opportunity to gain head control, experience weight bearing through their arms and develop trunk extension against gravity. Also very importantly it promotes and maintains a rounded head shape and allows the experience of movement, motor planning and co-ordination.

 

Container Baby Shuffle may contribute to:

 

 

  • Change in shape of the skull(plagiocephaly)
  • Facial asymmetry(due to changed skull shape or brachycephaly)
  • Torticollis(tight neck muscles)
  • delayed development of gross motor skills
  • tummy time
  • rolling
  • crawling
  • delayed standing
  • walking
  • poor weight bearing through the hands in sitting/tummy
  • anxiety on moving within and out of positions(as has been held still in one position)
  • decreased strength
  • poor risk taking, fear of falling etc.

All of these can become part of “Container Baby Syndrome”

What can you do?

If you are concerned that your baby may be developing any of the above issues, there are some simple things you can do at home. In addition it is always wise to seek advice from a health professional, i.e. your community health nurse, G.P. or a paediatric physiotherapist. This is particularly important if you notice that your baby is looking to one side only, has a flat head or is delayed in the acquisition of motor skills.

Tips for home

  • Positioning – put your baby in a variety of positions but avoid the container shuffle.
    Floor time is not only necessary but should be fun. So let your baby have time on their backs, sides and tummy.

    • Recent research says babies should be on their tummies at least three times a day. I say as much as possible! – up to 2 hours per day. Tummy time also includes carrying, holding on your lap and placing on the floor to play.
Odette-1-165x165 Odette-2-165x165 IMG_7168-165x165 4b-165x165 4c-165x165 IMG_7175-165x165
  • Carry your baby – use a sling if your baby is unsettled, you’re going for a walk or you need hands free for a toddler. Slings allow your baby to socialise and experience movement both theirs and yours.
  • Carry your baby on your hip, in your arms on their tummy, in your arms on their sides, in a sitting position over your shoulder.
Odette-5-165x165 Odette-7-165x165 11-165x165 12-165x165 10-165x165
  • Limit Container time – Car seats are for the car, pick up your baby and carry him, then place him on the floor, on your lap etc. Try using the pram in a different way – if it’s flat put your baby on his tummy while awake – face pram to you. Have mobiles on the pram so baby can hit/kick at them to encourage movement. If your baby continues to struggle with time out of the container, has a flat head, no tolerance to tummy time or other movement issues, then a paediatric physio can help.

What happens at physiotherapy?

When you attend a paediatric physio for your baby, the physio will ask about your baby’s birth history, movement, positions they play in and about your particular concerns. She will then look at your baby’s movement, head shape, vision (tracking you / toys with thier eyes), tolerance to positioning and changes of movement.

If your baby has a flat head or difficulty turning their head to one side, research states that the earlier the intervention is begun the better.
A Paediatric Physiotherapist will treat your baby and give you advice for home.

Treatment includes

Therapist intervention
Assisting the baby to move their heads freely in all directions, gently stretching tight muscles (if they have torticollis), showing them ways to move, gain head control and tolerate different positions.

Parent Education
Your Physiotherapist will give you advice and show you how to position and handle your baby to aid their movement and development. They will give you suggestions or positions for play, feeding and carrying.

In Conclusion

Container baby shuffle is a part of daily life but the effects can be reduced by trying the tips suggested in this blog. It will always be necessary to use a car seat, pram, cot, high chair etc. but use these for their specific purpose and balance this use with free time on the floor or in your arms as much as possible.

Enjoy your baby and their developing movement skills!!