The Pouch Top - A top to cuddle!

ATTACHMENT AND MATERNAL TIME WITH YOUR BABY

Being pregnant... a special time that you can enjoy, but which you also use to prepare for the arrival of your little one. You take a childbirth course, decorate the baby's room and buy a stroller. We sometimes forget what is most important in the first phase of your baby's life, namely... you as a mother!

The postpartum phase, often called the fourth trimester, is not only a drastic phase for you as a mother, but also for your little one. If your baby were in charge, he would prefer to stay in your belly a little longer. The transition from the womb to the world is a big one, the pouch top can help with this by stimulating skin-to-skin contact. Let your baby get used to all new aspects of life at his or her own pace. Provide the safe womb feeling for longer and enjoy all the benefits of skin-to-skin contact. Because this gives both you and your little one a much better start!!!

But... What is pouching? How long should you babysit with your baby? Why is skin to skin contact with your baby so important?

In the belly, your baby is used to warmth, darkness and muffled sounds. Mom is always close by with her heartbeat, voice and movements. At birth, your little one enters a completely different world and has to breathe independently, keep his own temperature and indicate when he is hungry. That is why the best place to relax is against the warm body of mom or dad.

Skin-to-skin contact helps your baby feel safe and secure, reduces stress and promotes breastfeeding.

Advantages of the Pouch Top:

• Strengthens adhesion: Skin-to-skin contact stimulates the production of the cuddle hormone oxytocin, which makes both you and your baby feel calmer and happier.
• Improved breastfeeding: Oxytocin helps with milk production, making breastfeeding easier to initiate.
• Less stress for both of you: Your baby feels safe and secure, which reduces stress.
• Healthy development: Bagging is good for the health and development of premature and newborn babies up to 3 months old.
• Discreet and less burdensome: With the top you ensure that you have safe skin-to-skin contact. You create a natural transition from the abdomen, while you lie covered. The top makes pouching less stressful for your arms and shoulders.

How to use the pouch top:

1. Find a comfortable spot and make sure everything you need is within reach. (think burp cloth, drink, magazine)
2. Pull the top over your bare upper body. The size label marks the top/back.
   
3. Is it cold in the house? Then put on a cardigan that is open at the front.
4. Place your baby on your bare chest, wearing only a diaper and possibly a hat. Your baby's head is just above your breasts.
5. Pull the pouch top up to baby's neck and ensure that the head can breathe freely. so that his head is well above the top.
6. Use the pouch top in a lying, sitting or semi-sitting position.
7. The top provides privacy. You do not have a bare upper body while pouching.
8. Taking a nap is a moment of rest for your little one, so take your own rest and enjoy the moment.

Pouch Tips:

• Soak for at least an hour, three to four times a week for the first three months.
• Schedule feeding times when it is convenient for you, for example in the evening after a bath or in the afternoon instead of a nap.
• Don't interrupt your baby's sleep cycle; let him sleep peacefully.

Would you like to know more about pouching or do you have questions?

Contact us!