What is a NURSING or CAREGIVER NECKLACE and Why do they help?   

  A Nursing Necklace gives baby a focal point and has been proven to keep a child breastfeeding longer, not only each time but for longevity.  Nursing Necklaces have been given credit for helping Moms breastfeed up to 2x longer.  The Necklaces range from 24 to 32 inches long.  Mother or Caregiver of the baby wear it during feeding so baby can focus on colors and shapes sharpening their visual skills and keeping baby focused on the necklace not painful headturning distractions.  Nursing Necklaces have been around for over a decade but are just now really starting to catch on. They have been approved by La Leche League as an aid to new mothers. These necklaces have also been called Mother's Necklaces, Feeding Necklaces and Breastfeeding Necklaces.

 Our Copywritten name for our Necklaces are Caregiver Necklaces as we feel Dads, siblings, Grandparents, extended family or anyone else that aids in the caring of a child should be included.  Many Grandmothers wear these types of necklaces and it is said that they actually help the child identify them. 

As Baby progresses, the beads become something they can reach for, grab and play with saving the feeders hair, clothes and skin!!  For this reason alone these are GREAT for Bottle feeding folks who are tired of being yanked and pulled too!!  When it's all done being used for feeding time, the necklace can become the first piece of jewelry for the toddler!!  A happy childhood memento.

STAGES OF DEVELOPMENT    

  Babies go thru SO many changes in the first few months!! It is truly amazing. Caregivers of all kinds notice this and Caregiver necklaces are multi-sensory stimulators for baby during this time.

Before 2 Months:

  Infants are usually far sighted at birth.  Infant eyes can focus distant objects and close objects but do NOT focus very accurately meaning they usually focus in front of or behind the subject.  By 2 - 3 months old most infants can focus much more  accurately. You can help to encourage the development of babies vision by slowly bringing the necklace closer to them and allowing them time to focus.   You can also assist them in learning to track or follow an object with their eyes by slowly moving the necklace back and forth.  The eyes will follow but with a jerky motion doing this.  By 3 months old they will be able to follow MUCH more evenly.  

 High Contrast colors are great for assisting babies to focus at this tender age as their because their  "contrast sensitivity" is not yet developed. They can see large patterns but not subtle differences.  What this means is they could distinguish blue from yellow if they are the same brightness but have a hard time distinguishing between pastels.  At this stage you want VERY High contrast, like basic BLACK and WHITE or BRIGHT BRIGHT COLORS as these will allow baby the best advantage!!   

Over 3 Months Old:  

As Baby progresses, the beads become something that they not only look at but rather something they can reach out, grab and PLAY with  -  LEAVING CAREGIVER's hair, skin, and clothes ALONE!!

 Tracking skills can be developed by dangling your Caregivers Necklace horizontally from side to side. Hang it from the stroller or other area in front of baby and let it swing (with or without your help!).  Now Baby can track it back and forth.  Fun colors are a good choice now, bright and full of textures make the best of baby's development now!! 

 The changes in feel will help Baby develop an understanding of how the 3D world around him has different shapes and feels to it!!  Grabbing and pulling the necklace and twisting as little fingers experience the different textures all the while developing his sensory perceptions!!  Shades are now easier for baby to distinguish and baby can now tell the difference in facial features. 

 At 3 to 6 months old Baby now is more active - ESPECIALLY during feeding!!  Singing songs that relate to the Necklace - the alphabet song, Old McDonald, How much is that doggy,  or any other related song will help baby learn to relate.  Showing Transports and making motor or swishing sounds, animal sounds for the animals.  The story of Noah's Ark, all these will help baby learn to identify.

  Like all Jewelry, Caregivers necklaces are NOT meant to be used as a play toy outside of a caregivers eyes.  Baby should NEVER be left alone with these.  They are made for and are great at distracting, stimulating and involving baby during feeding so they are more focused on feeding and NOT pinching or pulling the caregivers hair, clothes or skin!!

What do you make them out of and why?

We have researched this product for months, read the good, bad and uglies of MANY companies, child care professionals and medical staff as well as local moms.  We have taken the best of the best and put them together for YOU and yours!!  As a Grandmother I wouldn't want my Grandbabies using anything less!!!

  We use special cord, a special plastic breakaway safety clasp and non toxic pony beads,  acrylic beads and plastic novelty beads hand knotted for extra strength .   A wire necklace or elastic strand with a spring type clasp, toggle style or even no clasp could be dangerous.  Small loose beads are a swallowing  hazard if they got into little ones hands.  Wire is not a good stringing media for these as twisting little fingers can get wrapped up and caught in the wire, think little fingers with wire like an elastic band wrapped tight!! Wire necklaces require crimps and that means sharp edges!!  Magnets from magnetic breakaway clasps can fall out and easily swallowed by a small child/baby. The safety clasp is important as it keeps YOUR neck from unneeded stress from heavy pulling and for baby to be sure it does not break and allow loose beads around the baby.  Using these guidelines will help make a safe and long lasting Caregiver's Necklace that will make feeding time more enjoyable for Caregiver and Child. 

Thanks for taking your time to read our guide!!  Please remember to vote!!! Thanks.