Benefits of Wearing Your Baby

There's nothing that compares to holding your baby in your arms - watching and feeling him against your chest. When a baby is first born, we have time to enjoy these moments. If you are like most moms, living in today’s hectic world, life goes on, and there is always too much to do. But we don’t have to give up keeping our baby close. We can accomplish tasks that need to be done and still enjoy our baby’s companionship by wearing him in a baby sling, or pouch.

The benefits of bonding with your baby while the two of you share the world around you is beyond measure. He will feel more a part of your life and you a part of his. Baby wearing has been shown to positively contribute to baby’s development physically, emotionally, and socially.

When a baby is attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements she makes – walking, bending, and reaching. We learn much from watching other and this is an up close lesson for your baby. Being held close to a parent acts as an extension to baby's peaceful time in the womb. Research has shown that premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier.

It is a well-known fact that most babies cry and fuss less when they are held. In some cultures where baby wearing is the norm, babies often cry for only a few minutes a day, compared to a few hours a day for western babies. Crying is exhausting for both the baby and his parents, and may cause long-term damage to the baby's developing brain as it is continually flooded with stress hormones. Babies naturally feel calmer and have a greater sense of security, just by your touch. You will quickly discover that your newborn will sleep while in their arms, comforted by the rise and fall of your chest.
Studies indicate that babies worn are less prone to develop fears of loss or loneliness, often becoming independent earlier.

Baby-wearing can be healthy for you and other family members. It can be challenging for new mothers to find time to exercise, but if you go for a walk with your baby in her sling, you will enjoy the dual benefits of walking and weightlifting. It makes me smile when I see a new father going for a walk with his baby. The baby is becoming used to his voice, heartbeat, movements and facial expressions, and the two are forging a strong attachment of their own.

Baby wearing is the most comfortable way to hold a baby. You can use a sling on your shoulders, back or hip distributing your baby's weight evenly. It is perfect for a day at the beach or an evening stroll through the park. Leaving the house doesn’t require as much preparation. No large stroller to pack into the car and navigate through crowds. Carriers can be folded up and stuffed into a diaper.
Baby wearing is usually associated with infants but it is also very useful for toddlers. This world can be a scary place for toddlers. They will feel more confident when they know they can retreat to the security of trusting arms. Most slings accommodate children up to 35 or 40 pounds.

Using a sling or other type of baby carrier takes some practice. It may take a few tries for you and your baby to feel comfortable and secure. But since both of you will benefit from baby wearing for months, even years, to come, it’s worth the effort. One suggestion for getting the baby used to the sling is to start walking as soon as you get things adjusted. The baby will be comforted by the movement as he gets used to being carried in a new way.

Parents use baby carriers for many different reasons and in all kinds of situations. Carriers allow baby to enjoy being in your presence even when you are concentrating on other activities. You can interact with your baby throughout the day and still play with an older child and accomplish necessary tasks. It's also fun for baby, because when he is up at eye level, other adults notice and interacts with him more. Whenever you find yourself trying to juggle the needs of your baby and the demands of everyday life, it’s likely that baby wearing will make things easier.