The practice of babywearing, wearing a baby strapped to your body with fabric (often called a sling) has been common in traditional societies for centuries. Many families in Western societies have been adopting this practice in recent years and are finding that it has many benefits!
Why Wear Your Baby?
In this age of prams, infant carriers, high chairs, and playpens, why would anyone want to wear their baby strapped to their body? There are as many reasons for wearing babies as there are parents who wear their babies, but here is a list of some of the most common reasons.
- Babies who are worn are generally happier, cry less, and have a more quiet alert (learning) time than babies who are not worn.
- Worn babies have an easier time organising their sleep and wake cycles.
- Worn babies have a greater opportunity to learn about the world around them.
- Babies and parents have more opportunities for bonding when the baby is worn.
- Parents who wear their babies tend to be more in tune with what the baby needs.
- The baby is kept close at hand yet safely out of harm’s way.
- When a baby is worn instead of carried in an infant carrier or car seat, it is much less stressful on the mum’s or dad’s back, arms, and wrists.
- When a baby is worn instead of pushed in a stroller, he or she is better able to see people’s faces which babies love and learn about his or her world.
- Mum and Dad don’t have to try to manoeuvre the pram through crowded store aisles or crowds of people.
- It leaves the wearer’s hands free. (Think back to when you were in school and chose to carry your things in a backpack or bag rather than in your arms.)
When You Can Wear Your Baby
You can wear your baby all the time! Wearing your baby around the house allows you to get housework done while keeping the baby content. Many babies like to sleep while being worn, and many worn babies sleep longer than they would if laying down alone, giving mum or dad even more time to complete a few tasks.
Wearing a baby in the kitchen (on your back if you’re cooking) allows you to get a meal prepared with minimal interruptions. Wearing your baby while shopping keeps the baby content for longer periods of time and allows you to shop with two hands. Family walks are perfect times to wear your baby, it will provide you with a better workout and allow the baby to be soothed by the rhythmic movements of your baby.
A particularly good time to wear your baby is when the baby is fussy or fighting sleep. Placing the baby in the sling and walking around the house (or bouncing on an exercise ball) will often soothe the baby or even lull him or her to sleep.
How To Wear Your Baby
Many types of baby slings are available today, simple lengths of fabric, slings with rings for adjustability, squares of fabric with straps, and scarves. Have a look in shops of various types to see which will suit you and your needs. You can also check your local area for a sling library to try different ones and talk to a baby-wearing consultant. You may eventually discover, as many babywearing parents do, that different slings and carrying positions work best for different situations.
Babywearing Precautions
When wearing your baby, be sure to follow some basic baby-wearing precautions. Use common sense when wearing your baby. Be aware of the baby’s position at all times and ensure, for example, that you don’t accidentally bump his or her head into a door frame as you pass through. When wearing your baby, make sure that he or she is high enough on your chest to kiss and that their legs are in an M shape.
Never wear the baby in the front while cooking; always put the baby on your back while cooking, handling hot foods or liquids, or doing anything else that might potentially put the baby at risk.
Always hold the baby with at least one hand while bending over. Better yet, try squatting rather than bending. Not only will it keep your baby safer, but it will also be easier on your back!