Why Babywear?
Benefits for your baby
Babies are born completely dependent on us for their survival, and they have been shaped by evolution to stay as close as possible to their caregivers for many months. They know they are safe when they feel our warmth, movement and containment, hear our heartbeat, and smell our scent. Studies have found babies who are held and carried frequently form a strong attachment with the parent, which leads to greater confidence and independence later in life, greater resilience and better long-term physical health (dispelling the myth of holding babies encouraging clinginess!). Being held close helps babies regulate their temperature, heart and breathing rates, and emotional state; held babies cry significantly less often and for shorter periods.
Carrying benefits babies’ development by activating their vestibular balance networks, improves head and neck control, and encourages language and social skills by bringing them up to ‘conversation level’ to watch and listen to adults’ faces and voices.
Well fitting slings that encourage a wide squat “M shape” can help to prevent hip problems in children at risk of hip dysplasia. Babies who are carried are also at lower risk of “flat head” or plagiocephaly.
More information on the benefits of babywearing can be found on here, with full citations.
Benefits for parents/ caregivers
Babywearing can be a real gift for parents too. It encourages bonding via release of oxytocin (for mothers and fathers), can increase parental confidence by building more awareness of their baby’s needs, and has been found to help with postnatal anxiety and depression. It increases the likelihood of continued breastfeeding past 3 months, with innumerable benefits for mothers and their babies.
Dads can use babywearing as a way to build their relationship with their baby, increasing cuddle time and keeping baby calm away from mum. It can also unlock (for any caregivers) a whole different environment, off the beaten track, which can’t be accessed with a pram. This can have huge mental health benefits.
The feeling of getting your hands back as a parent can’t be underestimated! The ability to make snacks, play with older children, get chores done and get outside all with a calmed and regulated baby can be game-changing.