Actress Keri Russell, 31, and her son River Russell Deary, 3 1/2 weeks, were spotted going to visit a friend on Tuesday. This is the first time we’ve seen River’s face.
Photos by Ramey.
River rides in what looks to be a Graco snugride in metropolitan ($150).
not the greatest picture but he looks really cute!
- tink1217 on
He is adorable and she looks great for just having him. Cant wait to see more pics.
- michelle on
Aww what a little guy! And she does look really good for just having had him :O)
PS. That’s definitely not the Safeseat (wrong seat shape and headrest and not the right handle) I’m about 99.9% sure it’s the Snugride in Metropolitan (Though market pictures of the metro are deceiving that’s the exact colors without the cover on) I think the shadow from his blanket is what makes it appear blue.
- Rachel on
How awesome does she look??? I’m always so amazed at how some women’s bodies bounce right back after pregnancy…mine certainly hasn’t 
Beautiful baby too!
- Amanda on
At least she is not suffocating him in one of those “more complicated” than they are worth sling contraptions. I swear they make me nervous. Aren’t the babies overheated in those things? To reduce the risk of SIDS, isn’t it advised to NOT make your baby overheated, place them on their backs for sufficient airflow and do not place stuffed animals or many blankets in the crib….then how is a baby who face is pressed against a mothers body, with his/her head and face totally covered and is very warm in the summer months, benefiting from a sling?
CBB note: Slings are very easy to use, in our experience! Keri’s particular sling is made of linen, a very breathable fabric. You just have to be aware of which sling you are choosing — a linen or solarveil one is best for warmer days, while a fleece one may be better for cooler days.
Babies are on their backs in the cradle hold (as Keri was holding him), face up, not with the face pressed into the chest (unless the baby is nursing). And of course, baby can turn their head! The sling is like a pouch with an opening all along the top. As far as SIDS risk, moms wearing their babies are likely to know if the child isn’t breathing because baby is on mom and she can feel the rise and fall. Wearing newborn babies actually decreases the risk of SIDS because mom’s bodily rhythms (breathing, heart rate, body temp) help regulate baby’s.
As far as benefits, there are many if you google them, but here are a few:
- Slings mimic a parent’s arms. Sling carriers follow the natural contour of the spine and do not put pressure directly on the spine.
- Sling carriers provide contact pressure, motion, pleasure, warmth, security, and sound similar to the womb. The movements of the parent can help Baby maintain that nice quiet alert state for learning. Babies who are worn for prolonged periods of time seldom enter a state of distress.
– Sling carriers allow babies to see and feel their caregiver while allowing their caregiver to hold them comfortably and for longer periods of time. Being able to see and feel their caregiver lowers the stress hormones in a baby’s system, thus lessening crying, spitting up, and diaper rashes.
- Carried babies see and experience the world; they participate with their parent, develop their senses faster, cry less, learn more, and thrive better because they are less bored and more relaxed and secure.
Hope that helps!
- neves on
“Carried babies see and experience the world; they participate with their parent, develop their senses faster, cry less, learn more”
Is this all scientifically proven? How do they ‘see the world’ when their faces are pressed up against their parents and half the time covered in by a sling? Surely they see more in a seat where they are uncovered and facing everything. I suppose some people like them, but I personally wouldn’t subject my daughter to one.
CBB note: They are the results of clinical studies, specifically one that was published in Pediatrics. Again, there’s more info on Google then we can give here.
The cradle hold Keri has been seen doing is typically only used in the first 3ish months; after that the baby is often upright in a hip carry or tummy to tummy hold, or on mom’s back. They are up at the parent’s level rather than at an adult’s knee level as they are in many seats/swings/strollers, is what they are referring to.
It’s not really ‘subjecting’ your child to anything, that kind of has a negative connotation. Carrying a baby is good for them! People should of course do what they’re comfortable with, but Danielle and Sarah have both had great experiences with slings, (as well as strollers!) so we do want to answer questions and pass along any info we have.
- teagan on
Keri’s body is amazing for just having a baby, and baby looks cute.
- Gabriella on
Oh my God he is such an adorable little guy!!!
- brittany on
Geez if you don’t like the slings thats fine, but why make it sound like someone is a horrible mother for using one! I can’t see how CARRYING your baby on you instead of carrying it around in a carrier is bad for your baby! In fact I believe I have heard leaving your baby in a car seat has more chance of SIDS than a sling!!!!
Why be so critical and nasty about it?
- Diana on
“Surely they see more in a seat where they are uncovered and facing everything.”
Yes, a baby in a seat can see everything however, that is the disadvantage of a seat. As adults we are used to the noise, sights and sounds of every day life. A baby is not. In the womb she hears, but the sounds are muffled, she sees, but the lights are dim, she feels touch, but it is pressure and not pokes. Place a baby in a hard seat and she may rapidly become overstimulated by the noise and visual stimulation because she can’t tuck or hide and can barely turn her head. She may cry or fuss, until held, or become passive and “space out” or go to sleep. Overstimulated and stressed infants absorb very little information.
On the other hand, a baby in a sling can see the world or tuck and hide as she chooses. She is close to the comforting presence of her mother and the world is not so frightening or overstimulating. Relaxed she learns more about the world around her.
(For comprehensive and research based information on the advantages of holding and touch read the book, The Vital Touch by Sharon Heller, PH.D.)
- M'Liss on
While nothing can be scientifically proven 100% (as we are constantly having to restructure our paradigms of the universe…), there ARE several studies that support the claim that “Carried babies see and experience the world; they participate with their parent, develop their senses faster, cry less, learn more”
Participate with their parent.
Benefits of the in-arms phase.
There’s even a study that throws out the “increased risk of SIDS” argument…
And the list goes on…
So I could have written a novel had I had the time, but each of these abstracts/articles clearly promote the benefits of babywearing…
- Lisette on
As a physician, I would much rather see moms with their babies in slings than carrying them in infant car seats. I believe my kids have greatly benefited from babywearing, and not only does our pediatrician support the practice, she uses slings with her little one.
While the research supports the safety and benefits of slings (see previous posts for references), research also suggests risk to use of the car seats. A recent article in the British Medical Journal noted risk of asphyxia due to positioning that occurs in car seats, and recommended they only be used as intended, as car seats, and that infants should not be left in them for long periods of time.
Before you criticize moms who use slings, I suggest you do your homework. Some valuable information on slings are already noted above. I would also suggest going here for more info. I found the comment about “subjecting” children to slings not only offensive, but unfounded and uninformed.
That said, I have seen a number of photos of celebrities incorrectly using slings, which can result in risk to the baby and discomfort to mom. Thebabywearer.com has a number of excellent references on safe use of slings, and can be found
“>at TheBabyWearer.
- Tikidoc on
MOST photos I have seen of Amanda Peete, Keri Russel, Julia Roberts, I the baby has no face exposed and appears to have their face towards the mother body. Amanda appeared to have her baby in a bag!!!!! It looked like a sports bad or backpack material. Sorry, I dont agree with these slings, use a stroller or arms or a carrier. They simply cannot be comfortable in the warm weather for a baby. The end.
CBB note: That’s totally fine if you don’t agree, but your post comes off as judgmental even though it seems like all your previous questions were answered? We want to address what you have to say.
First of all, we hope people don’t go by how the celebs wear their carriers, because most of them wear them incorrectly, and we would hate for people to formulate opinions from that. There were some great resources provided above that show the correct ways. Amanda Peet’s sling, the Premaxx, is awful and would not be recommended by many because it is uncomfortable. Also, the above information is regarding all carriers, not just slings.
Personally, my kids I’ve carried in the summer have always been perfectly happy when I’ve used a breathable sling made of linen or solarveil fabric. I use pouches and mei tais instead of a ring sling like Keri.
- neves on
How can a carried baby with their whole head and face covered SEE the world?
CBB note: This was answered above, we believe…most babies do not have their faces covered, and are held upright after the newborn phase.
- neves on
Actually, it’s the carseat carriers which have been blamed for the rise in plagiocephaly. The position babies are in while in carseat carriers may also increase their risk of stopping breathing – they are not supposed to sleep in them or be in them for prolonged periods. None of this is opinion – a quick Google search will inform you.
It’s so funny reading how different people’s perceptions can be. I always feel so sorry for babies bump-bump-bumping along in those ridiculous carseats, which are MURDER on the parent’s back, shoulder and arms, as well. Even without all the studies, it’s obviously more beneficial for a baby to be held (or “worn”), in contact with its mother’s body, than to be strapped into a seat.
However, the carseats do have the big advantage of not requiring you to wake your baby when they fall asleep in the car. You can just pick up the carseat and go, if you have a short way to walk, or put the carseat on a stroller base. I found that very helpful, but certainly did not want my baby to be in the “bucket” any longer than she had to.
As for slings and carriers, there are myriad advantages that have been mentioned, and every culture in the world, including ours, has its preferred baby carriers that keep the baby close to Mom. Some have theorized that the baby carrier was as important an invention for our cultural evolution as tools used for hunting. After all, if mom has to carry baby constantly, she can’t do other things like gather or farm or cook. Pre-modern people wouldn’t leave their babies out of arms, either – too dangerous. So, the baby carrier, sling, papoose, whatever – was absolutely necessary. (Can you imagine some hunter-gatherer woman or subsistence farmer lugging a baby bucket as they tried to work??)
It’s not as strict of a necessity today but still just as good for the baby and convenient for the mother.
- Elizabeth on
I love the idea of babywearing. Not only is it soothing for the baby-it makes things a heck of a lot easier for Mom, too. In addition to being able to juggle different tasks, including household chores, while keeping the baby close to her and helping to promote bonding, babies who are “worn” cry and spit up less. I’m all for anything able to eliminate that!
I wonder if babywearing is recommended for infants with colic. Does anyone know?
- Lauren on
I do believe that celebrities might wear their babies a certain way because they want to keep them shielded from the press. There’s nothing wrong with carrying their baby with their faces covered, you never know, they might be sleeping or overstimulated, in need of some of what I call “back to zero” time. (By “back to zero” I mean getting them back to a calm state of mind.)
- Rebecca on
I think it’s nice that we finally get to see his face. Don’t know who he looks like just yet, but he is adorable-looking. 
- FC on
Lauren, you asked if babywearing is recommended for babies with colic–Yes. Dr. Sears specifically recommends it the Dr. Sears Baby Book.
If you are interested in trying out a carrier, skip the Nojo that Dr. Sears recommends and try out thebabywearer.com (which was listed by previous posters). Good luck
- polskapolska on
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