Baby Wearing Could Be For You

It seems like an impossible task to maintain the demands of everyday life while you are caring for an infant. Yes, moms are superheroes, but if we can make it a little easier that would be nice.

What if we told you there is a way you could take care of the things you needed to while holding the baby?

It doesn’t have to be impossible. Baby wearing could be your answer.

Time with our children is too short. Take advantage of that small window of opportunity you have while your baby is an infant to keep them close and supported; physically and emotionally.

Family demands make this difficult, but with a baby carrier you get those precious moments to snuggle while doing the other things that are on a mom’s extensive to-do list.

Although there are some safety concerns while your baby is in the carrier that you should be aware of, the bond you maintain with your baby while using this tool is priceless.

First, we will explore the science behind baby wearing, and why it has worked for so many moms over centuries of use.

Baby Wearing International reported:

In a study published in the journal Pediatrics, researchers found that babywearing for three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43 percent overall and 54 percent during evening hours.”

I think all caretakers couldappreciate the increased efficiencyof baby wearing in the evening. The evening is when babies are reaching their stimulation quota for the day and, coincidentally, when you need to prepare dinner.

Instead of having your baby cry at your feet, tugging on your pants, put them in a carrier.

Being in a warm snug embrace right next to you is all they want. And now with baby or toddler taken care of you can make dinner stress free.

The National Center for Biotechnology Informationreleased an article, “Current Knowledge About Skin-To-Skin (Kangaroo) Care For Pre-Term Infants” by J Perinatol reported:

premature babies who are touched and held gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not.”

Having a premature infant, you want to do everything you can to help your baby develop naturally, and baby wearing helps accomplish that.

There are inserts you can use, as well, that give additional support to premature babies. As an option, you can even do skin to skin in the carrier around the house to free up your hands for other essential duties without decreasing touch.

Baby Wearing Internationalreported on additional developmental benefits for all babies:

When a baby rides in a sling attached to his mother, he is in tune with the rhythm of her breathing, the sound of her heartbeat, and the movements his mother makes—walking, bending, and reaching. This stimulation helps him to regulate his own physical responses.”

This synchronization of mother and baby connects them in such a way that can increase the chance you will know what your baby needs before the cryingbegins.

If your baby is wet, you will notice the warming against your belly immediately and can change the baby before they feel a need to cry.

If they are right there with you, picking up on rooting gestures or restlessness would be easy, and you could feed your baby before they get too hungry.

Anticipating a baby’s needs in the early months will not spoil the child or make them unable to request things on their own. In fact, the opposite can be true.

This anticipation, on the other hand, encourages trust in you and strengthens the mother and baby bond.

Small Footprint Familyreported:

According to Dr. Eckhard Bonnet in a 1998 article published on Didymos, a baby wrap or sling holds a baby’s body in a comfortable, correct position, much as the womb carries a fetus before birth.Upright carrying also massages your baby’s abdomen which promotes healthy digestion, and prevents physical abnormalities associated with infants who spend large amounts of time lying on their backs or bellies (such as hip dysplasia, frog legs, or flattened skulls on the back or sides).”

Now that the benefits of baby wearing have been fully outlined in favor of the baby, let’s look at the mother’s advantages.

Baby Wearing International reported:

This cycle of positive interaction deepens the mutual attachment between parent and child, and is especially beneficial for mothers who are at risk for or suffering from postpartum depression.”

With postpartum, feelings of inadequacy, and being overwhelmed, are heightened.

When the mother is baby wearing these factors are more difficult to defeat a postpartum mom.

As we know statistically, the baby will cry less when in a carrier. This will help the mother not worry as much if she is properly caring for the child.

If you are dealing with postpartum depression or are about to have a baby, please read our article:  “This Critical Phase Can Affect The Entire Family

Even if you don’t suffer from postpartum depression, baby wearing releases endorphins by being in contact with your little one.

It is extremely important that you use baby carriers appropriately to prevent accidental injury to the baby.

Baby Gaga reported:

Parents who do decide to wear their babies need to know that it is important to wear them in an upright or vertical position, unless the baby is nursing. This helps to keep the airway open, which makes breathing easier.

It is also important to routinely check on the child to ensure his chin is not resting on his chest, which can obstruct the baby’s ability to breath.”

Baby carriers are often brought up in negative media reportsdue to improper baby wearing causing hip dysplasia, from how they sit in the carrier for extended periods of time. Let’s clarify that misconception.

Baby Gaga reported:

Hip dysplasia is a developmental or genetic condition that causes abnormal formation at the hip joint. This means that a carrier will not causehip dysplasia, as some assume.”

With this being said, there is a proper positioning for optimal development for the baby, and that is with head support, spine straight, knees up, and bum down; like an “M” position from foot,to knee,to bum, to knee, to foot.

There are many different carriers to choose from, but it is recommended you choose one that has a soft shell and creates that “M” positioning.

There are baby wearing groups in most cities that you can connect with on Facebook. These allow you to talk with experienced moms of baby wearing. These groups even let you try on different carriers to see which is right for you before you purchase one.

They are a financial investment. They are, also, an emotional, physical, and psychological investment; and worth every penny. Try baby wearing to see how it affects your life as a mother. The worst that can happen is you get a re-gift option for the next baby shower.

Let us know if you baby wear and how it has affected your experience with your baby. Also, if you have a favorite carrier, please share.