What is the Nesting Days newborn carrier?
The Nesting Days newborn carrier provides skin-to-skin nurturing (also known as Kangaroo Mother Care) for babies up to 18 pounds.
(Second Link for Skin-to-skin)
It is a piece of wearing apparel - inspired by today's yoga wear, activewear, and shape wear.
It uses light-weight, technical fabrics in a patented tubular design, that surrounds the mother's body 360 degrees, distributing baby's weight evenly over her body, and rendering it free of complicated wrapping, straps, buckles or harnesses.
Created by a postpartum doula, the goal is to make extended skin-to-skin time, practical and comfortable. It is intended for use at home, with baby in only a diaper for maximum skin-to-skin contact, and to be worn over clothing when on outings.
It is technically a sling, because baby can be in either an upright or semi-reclined position, however, we recommend returning the newborn to an upright position unless nursing, as this is recognized as the safest position for baby wearing.
It is also a gentle body shaper for postpartum mom, providing support to her abdominal muscles while still being soft enough to wear over a c-section. It's baby wearing at its best!
Why is there a weight restriction?
(Link to SAFE BABY POSITIONING)
Nesting Days is designed specifically for the unique needs of preemies and newborns, for whom skin-to-skin contact is so essential. The carrier is made to meet the ergonomics and biomechanics of newborns up to 18 pounds, nesting baby in a virtual 2nd womb. For babies under 8 pounds it is recommended that you get the advice your health professional.
We do not specify an age limit, as many of our babies are pre-term, and reach 18 pounds on their own timetable. It should also be noted that the tie is not what holds the baby to the wearer's body. Should it come untied, the baby is not in jeopardy. It is simple the means for adjusting for size and tension across the baby's back and thighs.
See the Safety Warnings printed on the garment.
At home, post discharge:
Maintain 45° propped up/seated/semi-reclined position at home, and minimize being mobile until your baby is about 7 pounds or your doctor tells you your baby is strong enough for typical babywearing.
You'll be nursing a lot in this semi-reclined position, so always return you baby to the mid-line, upright position after nursing, and tie the wings securely when you are finished. No rolling off if you snooze.
You can give your little one a 'boost' by folding the outer wing back and looping it under your baby's bum, and then knotting the two ends. There is a picture illustrating this on our Safe Baby Positioning page.
Nursing, bottle feeding or SNS line: Being skin-to-skin regardless of how your baby is receiving nourishment, provides the intimacy your baby will love, and boosts both of your oxytocin levels.
Before you know it, these adjustments won't be necessary, and your growing baby(s) will fill out the 'nest' more completely, and you can take the world by storm.
How do I put it on?
(Link to WEARING INSTRUCTIONS FOR WOMEN)
Nesting Days' patented criss-cross 'winged' design allows the new mother to step into the garment, instead of pulling it over her head, avoiding tender breasts and making putting on easy. The mother in the video on out website is standing when she steps in, but being seated as you step in, and then standing to up it pull it all the way on, is an easier and safer approach if you question your balance.
In the inside of the garment are two elastic 'handles' that let you find the 'center' of the garment. Step in and pull the inner tube up to your bra line. Smooth the skirt over your hips, and center the garment on your body. Next, raise the inner (left) shoulder wing into position. This is when you insert baby.
Finally, raise the outer (right) shoulder wing and knot the two tails. It is easier to do than to explain!
How do I put my baby in?
You might want to practice putting baby in by substituting a teddy bear or doll for a few times, but it is really pretty easy to master. You can put baby in either a seated or standing, depending on how steady you are on your feet.
With the inner (left) wing raised, place baby in burp position on the opposite (right) shoulder, and lower baby into the inner pouch, supporting the baby's head, neck and back with your free hand. Position baby mid-line, heart-to-heart, against your chest, and lift the outer (right) wing with the tie into place on the left shoulder. Draw this wing over the baby's back and thighs, and tie it in a knot. Turn baby's head gently to the side, and adjust the shoulder loops to keep fabric away from baby's face.
How do I take baby out?
Again, you can take baby out in either from a seated or standing position. Make sure you are in a place where you can safely put baby down, like near a chair with sides, a changing table or a car seat before taking baby out. Untie the outer (right wing) and slip it off your shoulder. Lift baby out of stretchy (left) wing and place baby down in a safe place. Many mothers choose to wear it throughout the day, even when they are not wearing baby, but it is also easy to slip off. Nesting Days provides round the clock skin-to-skin comfort for you and your newborn.
(Link to WEARING INSTRUCTIONS FOR MEN)
Does it adjust as my baby grows?
(Link to SAFE BABY POSITIONING)
Tiny babies (preemies and full-term babies in the first few weeks) like to be curled up, with their legs drawn in, similar to how they were in utero. To keep tiny babies at the proper height, heart to heart, see the illustration, Tiny Baby Boost on the Safe Baby Positioning page.
As your baby's body grows the carrier changes shape along with your baby. Baby's toes, then calves, extend our through the leg opening for baby's comfort. The tie is used to adjust the tension across the baby's back and thighs, depending on the size of your baby. If the knot should come untied, the baby is still safely nested the the criss crossed wings of the carrier.
How do I nurse?
Loosen the side tie and lower one of the shoulder wings, and shift baby's position to one side, lowering baby into latch position. Returning baby to an upright position in the carrier makes burping easy, and helps you learn baby's cues by heart. As you become more skilled and confident, you may find that you can tie the carrier securely while nursing, and move about.
To nurse in the straddle position, just push down on the nest until the baby reaches the nipple.
What is the fabric made out of?
Nesting Days is made of light weight, technical fabrics of the highest quality. All of our fabrics are PH neutral and have no irritating dyes or chemical finishes and are moisture wicking, and retain their shape over multiple wearings. All of the seams are reinforced for maximum durability.
How do I care for my carrier?
We recommend machine washing on gentle/delicate cycle, and them either tumble drying on permanent press or hanging it up to dry. If you should find a tear in a seam or on the garment, please contact us for a replacement.
Where is it made?
All Nesting Days Newborn Carriers are made locally in San Francisco, California. We are committed to supporting our local workforce and only work with high quality, garment manufacturers. We take personal pride in what we make.
What advice can you give me about size?
One of the beauties of a Nesting Days Carrier is that it’s sized properly for postpartum body - your body is not “one size fits all” and your carrier shouldn’t be either!
We have found that the best way to judge what size baby carrier to order is based on your pre-pregnancy dress size. The tubular circumference of the garment around the hips and waist should fit snugly, as this is the core strength of the garment. The strong but soft stretch fabric molds to the new mother's changing postpartum figure during the 4th trimester.
Are you concerned about how your new bust line? The criss-crossed wings go over baby's head and mother's breasts, creating the intimate, skin-to-skin contact that is so important for both mother and baby. For maximum skin-to-skin contact we advise being bare breasted and having baby just in a diaper, but you have many choices. You can wear it over your nursing bra too, and with a soft t-shirt or blouse for when you want to be more covered up.
Is it safe to wear with a preemie?
Tips for 'nesting' preemies:
In the hospital/NICU:
Wear your carrier to the hospital over just a bra so you can do skin-to-skin when you arrive -- and ask the NICU nurse to help you use it. We are small, and it will probably be new to them, but the love S2S. You'll need a comfy chair that let's you sit propped up at least 45°. This semi-reclined position keeps your baby's airways open and let you stay in visual contact.
Your preemie will not fill out the 'nest' of the carrier yet, but you can place your baby on your chest over your heart, wrap a receiving blanket over both you, and tie the 'wings of the carrier around the two of you. This will prevent your baby from rolling off -- and create the skin-to-skin contact you need.
Loosen the tie and lower the shoulder wings when you need to put baby to breast -- ask for help from your NICU team.
I have more questions, what do I do?
Email us at customercare@nestingdays.com and we'll answer any other questions you have!
Click on THE ART OF NESTING for some sweet ideas about motherhood.
Click here to learn more about SKIN TO SKIN.
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