Kinesthetics Infant Handling

In dialogue with your baby

What exactly is Kinesthetic Infant Handling?

In short, it is communication through touch and movement. A dialogue through movement and body contact between your baby and you, with guaranteed feedback from your child.  This is both important for dealing with your baby and for babywearing counselling[JH1] .  [JH1]Heißt das so? 

Everyone who has anything "to do" with babies should acquire some knowledge about this exciting and important topic! It can turn a crying, tense baby into a happy, relaxed one through the right touch and movement. Where before the baby was triggered by unnatural movements and which led to overextension, it can become a relaxed, more contented baby through mindful, gentle and above all natural movement stimuli.

How do I use Kinesthetic Infant Handling?

It is important to move the child actively and not just to "simply carry it from a to b". Gentle rolling over the side, with as much body contact as possible, is the secret to contented babies. A baby who is picked up over the side with body contact is more relaxed than a baby who is picked up in parallel. The Moro reflex is also often triggered by the static, rigid pick-up of the baby.

The Moro reflex, a clamp reflex, which forms in the 9th week of pregnancy, is an involuntary reaction to a threat. Each time the Moro reflex is activated, cortisol, a stress hormone, is released and it takes about 60 minutes for the cortisol level to decrease. Through mindful, natural, gently rolling the baby and accordingly gentle movement sequences, it is possible to prevent the Moro reflex from being triggered when the child is picked up and when the child is in a "high stress zone".

For all those who are interested in this topic in more depth, we highly recommend Liane Emmersberger. She is an expert in this field.

"Mindful communication through touch and movement. Not only breastfeeding, carrying or the family bed promote the bond between parents and baby, but also the type of touch plays an essential role. In kinaesthetic infant handling, mindful touch supports the pre-programmed movement sequences with the help of the innate early childhood reflexes and promotes the bond with the child."

(Liane Emmersberger / Hebammen-Wissen 1/2022)

How to - gentle diapering

Changing diapers can also be a wonderful way to enter into a loving dialogue with your child through touch and natural, gentle handling. You get direct feedback from your child if he or she is not comfortable with something. Take your time and pay attention to your baby's signals. This will make diapering a relaxing moment for both of you, without tears and stress! 

Your baby will enjoy being changed if you move your baby to the side using gentle twisting movements, remove the nappy, gently clean your baby and then put the fresh nappy underneath. The rotating movements are very gentle on your child's still developing hip joints and spine. In this way, you make careful and natural contact with your baby's body and support the child's natural movements.

Our WICKELMAX is perfect for this. It is the sustainable alternative to disposable pads, which end up in the rubbish until your child is dry. For on the road and at home, our WICKELMAX is certainly the more environmentally friendly option that is also totally practical. With spacious compartments on the inside there is enough room for everything needed for diapering - no matter whether you diaper with disposable or cloth nappies.

❤️ Happy & healthy babywearing and handling ❤️