Benefits and advantages of babywearing
Babywearing is comforting
For both of you. There is nothing better than snuggling your newborn, and your newborn expects to be snuggled. A baby comes into the world knowing nothing but that if she is near these familiar people she will one day call parents, then she is safe. Keep her close, and she will be happy, secure and calm.
For both of you. There is nothing better than snuggling your newborn, and your newborn expects to be snuggled. A baby comes into the world knowing nothing but that if she is near these familiar people she will one day call parents, then she is safe. Keep her close, and she will be happy, secure and calm.
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Babywearing is practical
Carry your baby in a sling, and your hands are freed up to get on with other things. Of course, if those things happen to be sitting on the sofa with a remote control in one hand and a cup of tea in the other, we won't tell anyone! Babywearing is bonding
You may know that skin-to-skin contact is important for babies after birth, both with mother and father. It helps to regulate a baby's heartbeat and temperature, and it stimulates the production of oxytocin, the "love hormone". But it doesn't stop after birth. Skin-to-skin contact is always beneficial, and you don't both have to be stripped to the waist to enjoy it! Simply having your baby's face resting on your bare chest in a shirt or low cut t-shirt is great bonding time. |
Babywearing helps with crying
Studies have shown that carried babies cry up to 40% less than non-carried babies. Of course, if your baby is one of those that cries a lot, babywearing won't prevent that. But it may well reduce it, and it will certainly save your arms during the hours you have to walk the floor.
Studies have shown that carried babies cry up to 40% less than non-carried babies. Of course, if your baby is one of those that cries a lot, babywearing won't prevent that. But it may well reduce it, and it will certainly save your arms during the hours you have to walk the floor.
Babywearing is great for getting about
If you're already a parent, you will know how annoying prams and buggies can be - they don't go on grass, you have to use the lift in shops, and they often don't fit on buses. Babywearers skip past these obstacles, happily carrying their baby on all terrains, up stairs and onto crowded public transport.
If you're already a parent, you will know how annoying prams and buggies can be - they don't go on grass, you have to use the lift in shops, and they often don't fit on buses. Babywearers skip past these obstacles, happily carrying their baby on all terrains, up stairs and onto crowded public transport.
Babywearing helps baby sleep
A baby is born expecting to be close to his parents. He will sleep easily and wake happy in a sling, knowing that he is safe. Many babywearers use the sling for all a baby's naps, simply because it's easier.
A baby is born expecting to be close to his parents. He will sleep easily and wake happy in a sling, knowing that he is safe. Many babywearers use the sling for all a baby's naps, simply because it's easier.
Babywearing helps an older child adjust to the new baby
Older children sometimes have a hard time of it when a new baby is born. One moment they're the centre of their parents' world, the next there's this new thing taking up all mum's time. A babywearing parent can attend to an older child while satisfying the baby's need for closeness. Some mums even learn to breastfeed in their sling, liberating them from the sofa to get on with other things.
Older children sometimes have a hard time of it when a new baby is born. One moment they're the centre of their parents' world, the next there's this new thing taking up all mum's time. A babywearing parent can attend to an older child while satisfying the baby's need for closeness. Some mums even learn to breastfeed in their sling, liberating them from the sofa to get on with other things.
Babywearing can be life-saving for premature babies
A baby born too soon benefits even more from being kept close to his mother, and the practice of kangaroo care - constant skin-to-skin babywearing - has been shown to have better outcomes for a preemie than an incubator. Due to the differing needs of premature babies, it is essential to get advice from a babywearing consultant or hospital staff with appropriate training.
A baby born too soon benefits even more from being kept close to his mother, and the practice of kangaroo care - constant skin-to-skin babywearing - has been shown to have better outcomes for a preemie than an incubator. Due to the differing needs of premature babies, it is essential to get advice from a babywearing consultant or hospital staff with appropriate training.
Babywearing helps with colic and trapped wind
Babies' digestive systems benefit from being held upright, and the massaging effect of being tummy-to-tummy with a caregiver is very soothing on a sore little belly.
Babies' digestive systems benefit from being held upright, and the massaging effect of being tummy-to-tummy with a caregiver is very soothing on a sore little belly.
Babywearing helps a baby's physical development
"Tummy time" was invented because Western babies nowadays spend too much time lying on their backs, leading to flat head syndrome and a lack of muscle tone in the neck and back. However, many babies hate tummy time. Babywearing helps babies develop the same muscles, but in a much more gentle way. A carried baby can simply lift his head a little from his caregiver's chest, have a look around and put his head back down, and he can do this many times a day.
"Tummy time" was invented because Western babies nowadays spend too much time lying on their backs, leading to flat head syndrome and a lack of muscle tone in the neck and back. However, many babies hate tummy time. Babywearing helps babies develop the same muscles, but in a much more gentle way. A carried baby can simply lift his head a little from his caregiver's chest, have a look around and put his head back down, and he can do this many times a day.
Babywearing helps a baby's mental development
From day one, a carried baby is at your height. She sees what you see, hears your voice when you talk to people, and notices how things work. Because she feels safe, she is in the perfect mental state to quietly take it all in and learn what is going on. And many parents interact more with their babies when babywearing, talking to them more and responding more quickly than when the baby is in a pram.
From day one, a carried baby is at your height. She sees what you see, hears your voice when you talk to people, and notices how things work. Because she feels safe, she is in the perfect mental state to quietly take it all in and learn what is going on. And many parents interact more with their babies when babywearing, talking to them more and responding more quickly than when the baby is in a pram.
Babywearing helps poorly children
We all know that when our kids are ill they just want lots and lots of cuddles. Carrying your poorly child in a sling keeps him really close, calming and soothing him, and skin-to-skin contact can help regulate a fever.
We all know that when our kids are ill they just want lots and lots of cuddles. Carrying your poorly child in a sling keeps him really close, calming and soothing him, and skin-to-skin contact can help regulate a fever.
Babywearing is sociable for the baby
Many babywearers report that other people interact more with a baby in a sling than one in a pram. Perhaps it is because the baby is at eye height, or perhaps people aren't sure if they're allowed to peek into a pram. Certainly, the sight of a baby smiling at you from its carrier is enchanting and has to be responded to in kind!
Many babywearers report that other people interact more with a baby in a sling than one in a pram. Perhaps it is because the baby is at eye height, or perhaps people aren't sure if they're allowed to peek into a pram. Certainly, the sight of a baby smiling at you from its carrier is enchanting and has to be responded to in kind!
Babywearing is sociable for the parent
Babywearing is, in many parts of the country, a good way to meet other parents. If you go to a sling meet, you immediately have something in common with the other parents there, and you never run out of things to talk about.
Babywearing is, in many parts of the country, a good way to meet other parents. If you go to a sling meet, you immediately have something in common with the other parents there, and you never run out of things to talk about.
Babywearing can help with breastfeeding
Some babywearers are able, with a little practice, to breastfeed in their baby sling, always being careful of their baby's safety, of course. Babywearers are often very responsive to their babies' needs and find it easy to feed on demand, and the closeness of the baby can help with milk production.
Some babywearers are able, with a little practice, to breastfeed in their baby sling, always being careful of their baby's safety, of course. Babywearers are often very responsive to their babies' needs and find it easy to feed on demand, and the closeness of the baby can help with milk production.
Babywearing is pretty
Lots of baby slings come in gorgeous fabrics, so you can be colourful and cheerful on even the dullest day - and if you prefer a plainer option there's plenty of choice of those too!
Lots of baby slings come in gorgeous fabrics, so you can be colourful and cheerful on even the dullest day - and if you prefer a plainer option there's plenty of choice of those too!
Babywearing is great for toddlers too
Babywearing doesn't stop when children learn to walk. Those little legs get tired quickly, and it's much easier for you to pop a sling in your bag than to drag around an empty pushchair. Also, toddlers can get so overwhelmed by the world and their own emotions, and they need regular physical contact with a parent to remind them that they are safe and loved. Wearing a toddler means that you can have cuddles on the go or while you get other stuff done, or simply that you can hug for longer without your arms giving way.
Babywearing doesn't stop when children learn to walk. Those little legs get tired quickly, and it's much easier for you to pop a sling in your bag than to drag around an empty pushchair. Also, toddlers can get so overwhelmed by the world and their own emotions, and they need regular physical contact with a parent to remind them that they are safe and loved. Wearing a toddler means that you can have cuddles on the go or while you get other stuff done, or simply that you can hug for longer without your arms giving way.
