Container Baby Syndrome: How the overuse of equipment can hinder your child's development

As many new parents are probably aware, there are countless options available to new parents. From jumpers, to swings, to positioning chairs - there seems to be endless possibilities. Many of these items are promoted as encouraging your infant's development, however, an extended amount of time in any of these items is leading to an issue that we are now referring to as "Container Baby Syndrome.”

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What is Container Syndrome?

Container Baby Syndrome (or just Container Syndrome) is a term used to describe developmental delays in infants that are a result of not being provided with ample opportunity for movement. 

A container is any item or device that “contains” your child. It can include the following:

• Car seats
• Strollers
• Bouncy seats 
• Rockers
• Nursing cushions
• Jumpers
• Exersaucers
• Floor seats (i.e. Bumbo seat)
• Swings
• Walkers

How did Container Baby Syndrome start?

In 1992 the “Back to Sleep” campaign was initiated to decrease the occurrence of SIDS. Although this campaign contributed to a dramatic decline in SIDS, the incidence of Container Baby Syndrome increased dramatically. Parents who are concerned about SIDS placed their infants in various containers throughout the day because it seemed safe. However, this interferes with their ability to move, explore and interact with their environment. 

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Why does it matter?

When in a container infants don't have movement opportunities. They are not able to practice rolling, sitting, or falling over, which are all important parts of their development. Their neck and spine don't have an opportunity to move and stretch which are important for developing strength.  When infants are just moved from container to container throughout the day, they are at a much higher risk of developing conditions such as plagiocephaly (clink here for a blog post on head shape), Torticollis (click here for a blog post on torticollis), or delays in the acquisition of motor milestones. 

How to prevent Container Baby Syndrome?

• ‍Limit use of containers: Over the course of a day, time in a container can definitely add up quickly especially if your infant is spending time in a car seat then to a highchair then to a jumper or a walker. Outside of the car seat, limit the use of containers to short intervals (15 min bouts) for no more than a maximum of 1 hour a day. 
• ‍Floor time play: Encourage supervised floor time play. Many caregivers are concerned about placing their infant on the floor, however, gates and play yards are a great way to allow for floor time play while keeping the infant safe from siblings or pets. It's important to balance the use of containers with free floor play.
• ‍Wear them or carry them: holding your infant or carrying them in a sling for short periods of time is another alternative to containers. This is a great way to socially interact (smiling, eye contact) while also allowing the infant to work on head control and allow for free movement of their arms. 

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As is the rule with parenting, everything in moderation! This includes screen time, ice cream and containers. Save the use of containers for when you are trying to keep your baby safe while you are doing something in the house. 

Next time you are looking for a place to put your baby down, choose the floor first! 

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