Oxytocin is a hormone secreted by the posterior lobe of the pituitary gland, a pea-sized structure at the base of the brain. Oxytocin is a particularly important hormone for women. It is a peptide (short chain of acids) produced in the brain that was first recognised for its role in the birth process, and also in nursing. https://www.hormone.org/your-health-and-hormones/glands-and-hormones-a-to-z/hormones/oxytocin 

When an infant suckles at his or her mother’s breast, the stimulation causes a release of oxytocin, which orders the body to “let down” milk for the baby to drink.

Families have lost access to support networks, coping mechanisms and their usual ‘happy’ places. Most of us have felt the effects of this in our own ways and juggling home life with new working environments has been tricky. Parents often report that our children’s behaviour changes when we’re out of sorts mentally and emotionally. Oxytocin promotes parent-child bonding. A 2007 study published in the journal Psychological Science found that the higher a mom’s oxytocin levels in the first trimester of pregnancy, the more likely she was to engage in bonding behaviours.

Oxytocin is also found in men, although in smaller amounts. More recently studies have found that men can also undergo hormonal changes when they become fathers, including increases in oxytocin. Evidence shows that oxytocin facilitates physical stimulation of infants during play as well as the ability to synchronise their emotions with their children for men too.

Babies begin producing their own oxytocin even before they are born, and research suggests they respond a lot like adults. Skin-to-skin contact appears to raise oxytocin levels in both parents and infants (Vittner et al 2018).

Another study on school-aged children confirms that big kids can get an oxytocin boost when their parents offer emotional support. Affectionate physical contact does it, as does affectionate conversation (Selzer et al 2010).

Oxytocin is sometimes known as the “cuddle hormone” or the “love hormone,” because it is released when people snuggle up or bond socially. This is a strong benefit of using a sling – to facilitate that bonding and skin to skin for all caregivers. 

The term ‘vulnerability’ allows for interpretation as it would be difficult for us to list the ways in which a vulnerable family may be affected, and what it is that makes them vulnerable.

We’d rather limit the risk of exclusion in the absence of a list. We are happy to consider a referees reasoning for the vulnerability of a family.

One way of deciding this would be to ask the family “are you able to otherwise hire a sling if it weren’t for this project, and are you struggling as a result of covid in a way in which a sling will help?”.

Examples of referral criteria:

• A caregiver has multiple children and expresses difficulty in getting out and about for walks
• A caregiver expresses difficulty with a child who would like to be held a lot
• A child requires additional physical contact with a caregiver
• An infant in a Pavlik harness wishes to be held often
• A caregiver feels they are struggling to connect with their child/children
• An older child has a disability and the caregivers are looking to explore other options to get around places
  

  *These are just examples and are by no means exclusive*

No, the responsibility of the sling whilst in use, is between the user and us. The form requires the family to read our terms and conditions, and agree to request help from us. Our support is unlimited in the use of the sling.

The reason we ask for a referral to come from a healthcare professional is so that the underlying needs identified by you, are being taken care of. We provide the sling, but we aren’t able to help with any other needs the family may have.

Sling use is very safe when done properly, and safer than the risks of carrying children in arms. If you are concerned, please contact us, we are trained experts in babywearing. There would be nothing stopping a family from buying an unsafe sling elsewhere and trying to use it alone. Working together with us is the safest option.

Sling use is very safe when done properly, and safer than the risks of carrying children in arms. If you are concerned, please contact us, we are trained experts in babywearing.

As with all things, when used incorrectly they can impose risks. Sadly the media headlines do not offer full information when scaremongering on the use of slings. You can call, text, email, video call or pop in to see us.