What Is Container Baby Syndrome?

Is anyone else started to feel a little too claustrophobic these days? We’ve all been told to stay home. Though I believe as a society we have done so wonderfully, I’m beginning to wonder how long we can keep this going. As humans, we have an innate desire to explore our world! Babies are no different. In fact, they depend on it for development.
If you take a close look around a high-quality childcare center, you will notice something is missing from the infant room. Do you see any swings? Bouncer chairs? Standers? You will not find this equipment in many childcare centers because such containing devices puts the infants at risk for Container Baby Syndrome.

Container Baby Syndrome (CBS) is when a child’s development is delayed due to the overuse of infant equipment. One in seven babies is considered to be a case of CBS. This occurrence is a 600% increase between the years 1992 to 2008. I think it is no coincidence this is around the same time the Back to Sleep campaign began to take hold. With a push to place infants on their backs while sleeping, it is possible parents carried that practice into wakeful times as well. Who can blame them? The parents are only looking out for the safety of their infants. But if we are honest with ourselves, there is also a convenience factor. Let’s face it; sometimes, it is just easier to place the baby in a swing where she will be content and rocked for you while you get done whatever needs doing. We all know and understand the pressures of wearing multiple hats, especially if there is more than one child in the household that needs care. Swings and rocker chairs are an incredible blessing to parents, but in moderation! It is recommended an infant spend no more than 30 minutes in one of these devices. Unfortunately, 95% of infants under 5 months old are spending an average of 5.7 hours per day contained.  

The Dangers

There are many containing types of equipment we use regularly. With these products still on the market, we all must understand the dangers so that we can use them safely.

Walkers:

Many pediatricians are pushing to have walkers banned because of the risk they pose on the infants. 

The risk of falling down a flight of stairs is, of course, our first thought, but they also put the infant at a higher advantage than what we are used too. They might be able to reach dangerous objects that they could not before. 

These risks may seem like a reach. To be honest, I agree. However, it has been determined that walkers do not put infants in an optimal position for walking, and therefore the slightest risks are not worth the false benefits.

Swings:

Infants can be subjected to dizziness from prolonged swinging. If I may, I am going to interject my personal opinion on swings here. I have worked with infants so used to sleeping in swings that they cannot fall asleep without being constantly in motion. 

Unless you intend on keeping your infant sleeping in a swing for the rest of her infancy (which I highly advise against), do not start the habit. Remember 30-minute increments in equipment like this!

Car seats:

We’ve all seen this happening. We’ve probably all done it. Your sweet little infant falls asleep in the car, but it’s time to get out. How tempting it is to bring the carrier inside and leave him sleeping in the carrier while you cook dinner. Unfortunately, when the carrier is not clicked into its base, it puts the infant in a position that could lead to suffocation.  

The Delays

Now that we know how to use the devices mentioned above safely properly, we have to consider what happens when they are overused.  

Cognitive:

Child development theorist Erik Erikson states that every child needs to explore his or her environment to develop cognitively and grow confidence. The ability to see objects up close the way they would in tummy time and to move their bodies around in different positions is limited when spending too much time in a containing device.

Motor:

According to a literature review conducted by Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology found there was a temporary motor delay in infants who lacked tummy time. The good news is this delay did not have lasting effects, and the children in the studies all walked around the same age.

The Deficits 

Plagiocephaly:

I’m sure you are all familiar with children presenting with a flat side on their heads. This malformation of the skull is likely due to positioning in a containing device for extended periods. A flat side of the head is more than a concern of appearance.
If the flattened area forms on one side of the head, the head rests in that direction while the baby is on his back.  The neck muscles tighten, and the head becomes stuck in that position limiting the child’s mobility. This muscular imbalance is called Torticollis.
Later in life, a flat side of the head will affect the proper fit of a helmet, putting the child at increased risk for sports-related head injuries.  

Head Control:

One study looked at the effects activity and interactions can have on head control. The control group infants were to spend 20 minutes a day with no verbal or physical contact while on their backs. The training group was put into various positions with movement and activities for 20 minutes a day. In addition, the parents in the training group were given a device to “wear” their babies, which they were also instructed to do for 20 minutes a day.  The study found the training group scored significantly higher in the standardized Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) assessment tool.

What Can You Do?

If you are concerned about any delays in your child, please consult a pediatrician or a physical therapist. They will take care of the effects already caused. What you can do is prevent this from happening in the first place and encourage others to do the same. I truly believe the main issue is a lack of knowledge. 

Consider this your public service announcement, and all I’m asking in exchange is for you to pay it forward. First, limit time spent in restrictive equipment to 30 minutes. In place of the time spent in these devices, increase floor time for your child. Tummy time is always encouraged long as the activity is supervised, and the child is awake. Finally, babywearing is an excellent way to strengthen the neck muscles promoting head control as well as a beautiful bond between the baby and the wearer. All of these practices are easily achievable and can be done by any caregiver.  

Learn More!

This description has been a quick snapshot of what CBS is to bring awareness to mothers everywhere. If you would like to learn more or you want to know how physical therapy can help, check out the site that helped fuel this post. Or you can view a PowerPoint I created on the topic with all my sources listed.