I'm sure there are more benefits than I could possibly list. I'd love to hear how babywearing has helped your family! Please submit comments to daniellebachmann@aol.com. Thanks!

What is babywearing?

Babywearing is the act of wearing your child in a sling or other carrier on a regular basis. It is called wearing because it is like they are attatched, a part of you, rather than simply being in your arms. Baby wearing is practiced all over the world and is often a part of a particular style of parenting called attachment parenting. This type of parenting is endored by many health proffesionals, including Dr. William Sears. To learn more about attachment parenting please go to www.askdrsears.com. All to often we as parents are so busy that our time spent with our children consists of holding them to calm them or put them to sleep, then putting them down to tend to our daily needs and responsibilities. Your baby is born with a strong desire and need to be close to you. Rather than trying to condition your baby not to need this, imagine how much easier it would be to embrace it and find a practical way to care for this need and still get something else accomplished! For many mothers and fathers, babywearing is the answer. While it is best to start wearing your baby from birth, if you are getting started late in the game like I did, don't worry. You and your child will still gain many benefits and since these carriers can be used until about age 3 or 4 it isn't a waste of money to buy even if your baby is older.

Babywearing Benefits

Benefits for Baby:

Crying is reduced

Baby is happier and more socially devoloped

The sling provides a comforting familiar womblike environment

Babywearing boosts your child's emotional developement and self esteem

Baby spends more time in a quiet alert state which means he/she learns faster and becomes more intelligent than children that are not frequently carried.

Baby develops a healthy, stable relationship with his/her parents

Babywearing enhances speech development

Baby is used to noises and  commotion and is less scared of things that he/she hears and sees in the world

Baby goes to sleep easier and sleeps better

Babywearing promotes breastfeeding

Babywearing encourages children to be nurturing and empathetic

Premature infants, those with breastfeeding and/or weight gain problems, breathing problems, or other handicaps show significant improvement when worn in a sling or wrap

Your child will quickly come to recognize the sling and show excitement when you put it on. When you are away from home wearing your baby gives him/her a sense of familiarity and personal space. This is a great way to keep your little one calm and put him to sleep when you are on day trips or vacations.

Slings, wraps, and the like keep baby's body and spine in a natural healthy position, unlike other front/back carriers

 

Benefits for Moms (and Dads)

A closer bond with your child that will last as they grow older

Less time spent with a fussy baby, more time spent with a content one

You can get things done around the house

You can spend more time with your older children

You can get errands and shopping done without your baby screaming in a stroller or cart

Having close physical contact with your baby also fulfills your emotional needs for human contact and releases hormones in mothers that

Babywearing distributes the weight of your child over your shoulders and back, greating reducing or even eliminating the arm and back pain of carrying a heavy child in your arms or in a front/back carrier which puts too much pressure on the sensitive neck area

Babywearing is a big help for physically handicapped parents or grandparents

Makes breastfeeding easy and discreet when you are on the go

Your baby's schedule is more likely to synchronize with yours

Babywearing aids bonding between babies and their adoptive parents

Slings are a great way for Dad's to experience the closeness Mom and baby shared during pregnancy

You become more in tune with your child's needs and ways of communicating