Simply put, container baby syndrome is when a baby spends most of their day within some sort of device, such as a car seat or stroller, that limits their freedom to move and explore their environment on their own.
Infant development is amazing! Every movement your newborn makes serves a purpose in their development. It is very important for your baby to have the opportunity to explore and play in all developmental positions such as on their back, tummy, side, or supported sitting. Opportunities to play in these positions furthers their development both physically and cognitively. When children are confined to a container, they lose out on freedom of movement to play and explore.
A ‘container’ is anything that confines the child from being able to be on the floor have freedom of movement. Some common containers are:
When children are just moved from container to container throughout the day, they run the risk of developing certain conditions:
I get it, life is busy with a newborn! You do not feel as if there is enough time in the day to cook, clean, take a shower yourself, and take care of your sweet new baby! There is a place for containers to help you get things done around the house throughout the day.
Keep in mind, the total amount of time the infant should be in a container should be minimal in comparison to their awake floor playtime.
Dana Thomsen has been a pediatric physical therapist for 8 years, with experience in working with a wide range of diagnosis. Her favorite part of working in the pediatric field is being able to get paid to play with such adorable children! She enjoys spending her time cuddling with her lovable dog and reading a good book.
NAPA Center is a world-renowned pediatric therapy clinic, offering pediatric therapy for children of all ages in traditional or intensive settings. With six clinic locations and intensive therapy pop-up sessions worldwide, NAPA is committed to helping children lead their happiest, healthiest lives.
