Babywearing is a common practice that is widely accepted worldwide. It is the practice of carrying your baby with a carrier, a sling, or a wrap to keep them close to your body, keeping your hands free.
Experts recommend babywearing to promote closeness between parent and child. It is also a way to prevent your little one from crying, especially if you need to get things done throughout the day.
There’s nothing more a baby wants than to be with their primary caregiver 24/7. They long for their warmth, their scent, and their touch. But when mama (or papa) have important things to do to keep the household running, it can get difficult to sit still and embrace your baby the entire day. Enter: babywearing.
Babywearing makes it easier to take your baby around while getting things done. Read on to discover the wonders of babywearing, and how it can save you a whole lot of time (and energy!)
Common Babywearing Positions:
Front carry with baby facing you – You and your baby will be facing each other. This is comforting for babies and younger kids, who enjoy maintaining eye contact and interacting with their primary caregiver.
Front carry with baby facing outwards – For little ones who can carry their necks already, this position allows them to see the world around them. This is an especially favorite position of most toddlers, who are curious about their surroundings.
Hip carry – Carrying your child at one side by the hip can be convenient for older babies and toddlers who want to be close to their mamas/papas.
Back carry - Some adventurous parents choose to carry their kids on their back when out on trips. The child’s chest is pressed against the carrier’s back, and will see the world while their neck is turned to the side.
Best Types of Baby Carriers
Sling
Slings often take the shape of a carrier, but are made with a more breathable and lightweight material. It is more compact than soft structured or hip seat carriers, and can often fit in small bags and even pockets.
Hip Seat Carrier
A hip seat carrier is a multi-wear carrier you can use front-facing, inward-facing, and via back carrying.
Wrap
A baby wrap is one, long piece of thick yet soft material that you can wrap around you and your little one. The breathable fabric is adjustable, so you can adjust the fit to your liking depending on what’s best for you and your baby.
Soft Structured Carrier
With the durability and mechanisms of a hip seat carrier but with the softness and lightness of a baby wrap, a soft structured carrier is meant to make babywearing more convenient for parents and babies alike.
Five Benefits of Babywearing for Baby
1. It promotes cognitive and social development
Having your baby with you means they have more chances of being engaged with you and with other people, as compared to when they’re left in their crib or stroller. They’ll hear your conversations, which will ultimately help them develop their language skills.
Being in different environments with you also means they’ll be stimulating their senses. Movements and being exposed to different sceneries can be exciting for your baby, and promotes their cognitive development.
2. It prevents crying
Babywearing your little one during their first few months of life can stop them from crying more often. Because your little one wants to be close to you all the time, keeping them close with a carrier, wrap, or sling can make that easier for you, especially when your arms need some rest from all the carrying.
3. It promotes better sleep
Because your little one loves being around you, babywearing can give them constant access to your presence and touch, which will soothe them. Having them close to you will mean less stress, less crying, and more comfortable rest for both you and your little one.
4. It reduces flat head syndrome
When you babywear your child, it means they aren’t lying down on surfaces that can potentially lead them to having a flat head.
5. It counts as tummy time
Babywearing is a great way to do tummy time! It helps babies build up their muscles in their neck, back, and head.
Five Benefits of Babywearing for Mama and Papa
1. It gives you freedom to do other things
Mamas and papas are great multitaskers. But at the top of the priority list is always making sure their little ones are well cared for. Babywearing allows parents to keep their little ones close, while having their hands free to do other things. It’s a win-win situation for everyone!
2. It forms bonds
Keeping your baby close to you through babywearing keeps your strong connection going. While you’re able to do other things, you are still constantly with your little one, talking to them, snuggling up close to them, and making them feel safe and secure as they listen to your heartbeat.
3. It allows you to spend more time with your older kids
If you’re a mama of more than one child, it can get difficult to spread your time with them, especially when your baby needs help. Babywearing frees up your hands so that you can attend to your older kid/s as well. Not only are you spending time with all your kids, but it allows your older children to get to know their baby sibling, too.
4. It’s a great way to exercise/lose weight
While this isn’t a goal any mama should get into right after giving birth, babywearing your child can help you lose weight by burning calories.
5. It allows you to go anywhere with your baby
Although pushing a stroller around can be convenient, not all places are stroller-friendly, with so many stairs, rocky grounds, and muddy areas around. Carrying your little one with you makes you go from place to place with ease, especially since you know your baby is safely wrapped around you.
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