Have you ever handed your sleepy and snuggly newborn to your partner or family member only to have your newborn start crying from the sudden and cold movement? Or maybe your toddler wants to hold their precious new baby sibling, but you are worried about how the older sibling will hold the delicate newborn? Consider using a topponcino to solve these problems and provide consistent comfort and care to your newborn!
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What is a Topponcino?
First things first! How do you pronounce ‘topponcino?’ Topponcino is pronounced: top-pon-chee-no. It is Italian and, while it doesn’t have a direct translation, it can roughly translate to “little mat” or “small mat.” And that is exactly what it is! It is a small, oval-shaped mat made of cotton designed to provide constant comfort and support to your newborn.
Origin of the Topponcino
Maria Montessori inspired the design of the modern-day topponcino, although the underlying idea is and has been used in many cultures. Maria Montessori is thought to have been influenced by her time in India when she observed caregivers use small quilts or pads to hold their babies. She observed the quilts being used in a way that aligned with her beliefs and understanding of the importance of providing a consistent environment of comfort and support for newborns. In the Montessori philosophy, the topponcino is used as a transitional item that helps the baby adapt to the outside world.
The Benefits of the Topponcino
Topponcinos Provide Support
There are four major benefits of the Topponcino for both babies, parents, and other caregivers. They provide support, security, consistency, and transferring ease. As you know, newborn babies are delicate and lack the neck muscle strength to hold their heads up on their own. Topponcinos provide support in this area as the stable mat gives them just the right amount of support when you are holding them, yet is flexible enough that it still provides the intimacy in holding your baby. Additionally, when you lay your baby down for floor time to provide them freedom of movement, the mat is a great place to provide them soft cushioning rather than a hard floor.
Topponcinos Provide Security
The topponcino also helps babies to feel secure. When you first get your topponcino before your baby arrives, it is recommended that you sleep with it to help it acquire your scent. This will help your baby feel secure as they know your scent and feel comforted by it. Additionally, the small nature of it and the way it wraps around the baby reminds them of the security of the womb and helps them transfer from the womb to the world smoothly.
Topponcinos Provide Consistency
The topponcino can be used throughout the baby’s day when they are being held or when they are doing floor time which provides a consistent environment for them. This consistent environment is comforting to the newborn as they are in a whole new world. The topponcino is an extension of the parent as a comfort item. Many topponcinos cans even be rolled up and put in a diaper bag and taken on the road to continue to provide consistent security and comfort.
Toppincinos Help Make Moving the Newborn Easy
My extended family members, as well as our preschooler, love the topponcino as it helps them feel confident in holding a brand new, wobbly, fragile baby. It can also help new parents feel at ease as they learn to feel confident in picking up their baby. Additionally, it helps your newborn as it provides a seamless transition from person to person or floor to person so they won’t be jarred into a startle reflex or awaken when moved.
The Topponcino and Language Development
As you may or may not know, I am extremely passionate about encouraging parents and caregivers to talk with their children right from the start. I love to share about language learning opportunities and snuggling your baby with a topponcino is a great one! How can you use your topponcino time to talk with your baby? It is simpler than you think! There are three amazing opportunities for talking with your baby while using the topponicino.
Snuggle Time
When you are holding your baby in the topponcino and they are awake, tune into what they are looking at. If they are looking at you, look back and talk with them about what they are seeing and how much you love them. You can also ask them questions and imagine their responses. Here is an example:
“What are you looking at?” (Wait) “Oh, you are looking at Mommy. What do you see? What does Moomy look like?” (Wait) Oh, yes. Mommy has brown eyes and she is wearing glasses. Did you know Mommy loves you so much?” (Wait) “You do?” (Wait) “And you love Mommy too? Wonderful!”
Play Time
While your baby is lying on their back or participating in tummy time on the topponcino, you could use the time to talk with them. Here are two examples below:
Remember first to notice what your baby is looking at. In this example, let’s imagine your baby is looking at a book. You could say:
“Do you see the black cow on this page?” Remember to wait as though your baby is responding. Imagine what they may say and repeat it back to them. “You like looking at the cow? What does a cow say?” (Wait) “That’s right, it says, ‘Moooo.'”
Another example may be, “Do you like tummy time?” (Wait) “It is hard, but you are trying so hard. You can do it!! Can you lift your chin up?” (Wait) “Yes, you are trying so hard. Go, Baby, Go!”
Family Meal Times
Family mealtime is a great routine to have for the many benefits it provides. Sitting down and eating together as a family affords a great opportunity for language development. During mealtimes, expressive language, receptive language, and speech models are practiced and modeled as family members communicate with one another. We include our baby with our family meal times by placing the topponcino in the middle of the dining table and allowing our baby to be our centerpiece.
Where to Get a Topponcino
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Topponcinos can be difficult to find. We got ours directly from The Topponcino Company, but they also sell them on Amazon. There are many sellers on Etsy. If you are handy at sewing (which I am not), you could make your own. If these options seem out of your budget or abilities, consider using a thick quilt or blanket folded into a small rectangular shape a little longer than the newborn. If you use the same one every time (and even consider sleeping with it before your newborn arrives), your newborn will feel the same comfort of your smell and consistency of the blanket.
Safety When Using a Topponcino
We use the ABCs of safe sleep in our house: Alone, Back to sleep, and in a Crib (or bassinet or portable play yard) with a firm mattress and fitted sheet. Like blankets, topponcinos are not meant to be used as a place for sleeping or in a sleep environment. Newborns should be supervised when on a toppincino at all times.
Final Thoughts
The topponcino is an invaluable tool for parents, caregivers, and babies. It allows the babies to feel comforted and the family members to feel confident. For more information about Montessori for newborns, check out this post.
