Dr Avroy A Fanaroff
Letter to Parents

January 2007

In 1970, Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital physicians published the landmark papers on infant-parent bonding, establishing for the first time the importance of eye-to-eye contact between baby and parent and the bond it creates.

At the time, that “radical” approach to parenting encouraged mothers to engage in frequent carrying and skin-to-skin contact with their babies, and encouraged fathers to become more involved in the birthing and early childhood nurturing processes. Today, health and medical experts around the world tout as conventional wisdom the importance of such infant-parent bonding, particularly during the first six months of life.

Since 1973 BabyBjörn has designed baby carriers that strengthen the infant-parent relationship. The intimate fit of all BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier models help baby feel “at one” with the parent. Carrying the baby close can ease stress for both parent and child, and a parent's natural movements can calm a fussy baby.

With the front baby carrier design, baby faces parent during early months and remains physically close to mom or dad. The visual contact and bodily warmth of the parent help the baby adapt to life outside the womb. BABYBJÖRN Baby Carriers help position the baby comfortably and at the same time provide the proper support for the infant's spine and hips.

Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital is consistently ranked by health and consumer publications among the nation's top five hospitals for pediatric care. We have trained many leading pediatric specialists and generalists. Based on our research into infant-parent bonding, we recommend the use of front baby carriers such as those made by BabyBjörn.

Enjoy yours!

Sincerely,

Dr Avroy A Fanaroff

University Hospitals Health Systems
Rainbow Babies & Children's Hospital