The 12 Most Important Benefits of Babywearing
Wearing your baby isn’t new. In fact, several cultures throughout the world have been wearing their babies for centuries. Not only did this allow them to continue their responsibilities, but it also kept their baby safe and away from harm. It wasn’t until recent years that babywearing became popular in Western society, but now it’s a tactic that many new moms couldn’t imagine living without. In this article, we aim to help you better understand what babywearing is and why it’s important. Consider the following 12 benefits of wearing your baby.
What is Babywearing?
Babywearing is a term that was coined roughly 40 years ago by Mary Sears, after her husband—renowned attachment parenting pediatrician Dr. Sears—was first sold the sling invention. Babywearing, therefore, refers to the technique of swaddling your newborn or infant in a sling, wrap, or other type of carrier so that they can be held close, yet suspended from your body without the use of your hands. Therefore, simply put, babywearing is the act of carrying your baby around on your body using a supportive product or material.
12 Benefits of Wearing Your Baby
While many people think that wearing your baby is a form of attachment parenting, that’s not necessarily the case. The two are far from mutually exclusive. You can utilize any type of parenting and still reap the benefits of babywearing. If you’re still not convinced, consider the following 12 benefits of wearing your baby.
- People Will Respect Your Baby’s Space
Wearing your baby reduces the natural inclination that most people have to reach over and squeeze your baby’s cheeks or touch their hands. This is especially important for new moms who are rightfully still cautious about coronavirus and other communicable diseases that can spread to babies. Since their immune system is still developing, babywearing can help you gain a stronger peace of mind that your child won’t be exposed to as many germs.
- Traveling Becomes Easier
Babywearing allows you to be more mobile, regardless of if you’re at the airport, grocery store, or simply going for a walk. While you always need to place your baby safely in their car seat while driving, wearing your baby reduces the amount of equipment you need to bring and use when you arrive to your destination. This makes travel much easier and eliminates the stress of juggling hundreds of different baby products.
- You Become Hands-Free
One of the biggest benefits of wearing your baby is that you can do so completely hands-free. Babywearing reinvigorates your autonomy, which can help you get things done without having to worry. While you may want to tackle some things on your to-do list, you don’t have to use your new-found freedom only for work. Hands-free gives you the chance to continue working on your hobbies and passions while simultaneously comforting your baby.
- Allows You to Nurse Discreetly
While it’s within your right to breastfeed wherever you want, some women prefer to take a more discreet approach. Babywearing can help you breastfeed on the go without sacrificing latching quality. Since your baby is already cuddled against your chest and in close proximity, it becomes easier for them to find your nipple and latch on. The swaddle or sling also adds a degree of built-in coverage for moms that prefer to use some coverage.
- Helps Soothes Your Baby
Wearing your baby provides a soothing environment that can mitigate irritability. In fact, babywearing during the first few months of life can help reduce crying by up to 43%! This can help you get some much-needed sleep to keep yourself healthy. Babywearing can also stabilize your child’s heart rate and body temperature, which can keep them comfortable and content throughout the day. While the exact reason isn’t known, wearing your baby also reduces colic and can help reduce spit-up or stomach disturbances.
- It Boosts Cognitive Development
One overlooked benefit of babywearing is that it can actually help enhance cognitive development. Babies who are worn by their caregivers tend to be more involved in the adult world. They have a better vantage point, and their senses are more activated by the constant motion happening around them. This can stimulate neural activity and lead to the development of new neural pathways in infancy and early life. However, babywearing also allows for your baby to block out environmental stimuli when they need to, since they can easily sink their head into your chest or back. This helps reduce the risk of overstimulation during development.
- Helps Prevent Flat Head Syndrome
Regardless of the position you choose to wear your baby, they’ll remain upright and supported. This can help reduce the risk of flat head syndrome, or plagiocephaly. Plagiocephaly occurs when babies are on their back for long periods of time during younger months while their skull is fusing. While this can be treated if it does occur, babywearing will help you encourage a more uniform development.
- Increases Bonding Time with Toddlers
Having a newborn and a toddler can be a difficult juggling act. Between trying to care for your newborn’s needs and maintaining a strong bond with your toddler, you can quickly become overwhelmed. Babywearing allows you to soothe your newborn while you play with your toddler, which can help reduce feelings of jealousy or neglect in your oldest.
- Promotes Healthy Physical Development
When your baby is in the womb, they experience all of the same motions you do. After delivery, these motions can slow down while your newborn develops their own sense of self and strengthens motor control. Babywearing can help stimulate motor development and muscle growth, as they’re in a constant motion that aligns with the wearers. This can also help strengthen their vestibular system, which is responsible for balance.
- Supports Feelings of Security
Babywearing is great for boosting your newborn’s sense of security and helping basic trust develop. After being in your womb for nine months, the outside world can seem big and scary. However, when you wear your baby, you allow them to experience new sounds, sights, and smells with a reassuring sense of safety.
- Enhances Bond Between Wearer and Baby
Wearing your baby in a sling, wrap, or other type of carrier will also help encourage bonding between your baby and whoever is wearing them. This creates a great opportunity for your partner, family members, or other caregivers to enhance their bond with your newborn early on. The more people your child feels safe around as they continue to grow, the healthier their attachment will be. Contrary to what you may think, this can continue to develop into resilience and independence as your baby ages that supports a healthy social life.
- Decreases the Risk of Postpartum Depression
Postpartum depression is common amongst new mothers and is nothing to be ashamed of. While it’s important to seek help and treatment, there are a few things you can do to help decrease your risk. Babywearing is one way to help you alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression, as it may make moms who are battling depression feel less guilty. It also gives you some freedom back, which is a good way to overcome feelings of losing yourself often associated with PPD. If you feel like you may be experiencing any degree of postpartum depression, reach out to a friend, family member, or healthcare professional as soon as possible.
How to Wear Your Baby
Thanks to advancements in parenting products, there are now several different options that were specifically designed for safe babywearing. You can use a baby wrap, sling, framed backpack, soft carrier, Mei Tai, pouch wrap, woven wraps, or even a babywearing shirt. There are certain drawbacks and benefits to each type of carrier, so consider asking other new moms for their recommendations and trying out a few to see which option works best for you. Luckily, many carriers are affordable and easy to find, so you won’t break the bank in the process.
Some of the most popular positions for wearing your baby include:
- In a front carry facing towards you
- In a front carry facing away from you
- On your hip
- On your back facing you
There are benefits to each position and many parents enjoy varying their babywearing style depending on what they’re doing. However, regardless of which orientation you decide to use, the most important thing to do is to properly use your equipment and promote safety.
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