The project is being organised by child psychotherapist Robin Balbernie, who said, 'We know from research on kangaroo care for premature babies how beneficial it is to "wear your baby".
'There has also been some research in America measuring the attachment among high-risk mothers and their babies. A group were given slings to encourage them to have body-to-body contact with their babies and they had a better relationship when they became toddlers than the control group who had not used the slings.'
Midwives and a health visitor attached to the Sure Start group will work with the chosen mothers. The 1,000 grant will pay for 33 ring-slings, which are totally adjustable and can be used for carrying a child from birth to toddlerhood.
Mr Balbernie said, 'These slings are hard-wearing and washable. They come in a range of colours, some in quite muted shades so the dads won't feel too conspicuous.'
But Professor Tina Bruce of Roehampton University said, 'Realistically, I am not sure how much these slings will be used. It might be OK when you are pottering about at home, but when you have to lug the shopping back from the supermarket or take children to school it is easier to put the baby in the buggy. What is important is to have a buggy where the baby faces you, so you can talk to your baby.'
According to Andreja Mclean of Natural Mothering, the company supplying the slings, babies who have been carried habitually develop early independence.
'When babies are born they do not perceive themselves as separate from their mothers. Babies who are carried will develop a sense of independence because they know mummy is there, compared with children who have been pushed into independence and who are much more clingy.'
