So, what exactly is “babywearing”?
Well, put very simply, it is the act of carrying your child close to you, for an extended length of time. The use of baby slings or carriers makes this easier and more comfortable, meaning you are able to carry, or “wear”, your baby for longer periods, and also continue with day to day tasks, or care for other children.
Babywearing is nothing new – animals have been doing it since they worked out that if they didn’t, their babies wouldn’t survive. Humans all over the world have been using fabric to carry their young close to them for centuries, and it was only when the Victorians invented prams, in the Western world, that the practice dwindled. Now that people are realising the advantages of babywearing, and it is increasing in popularity once more, the number of different types of baby carriers on the market is expanding. With the huge variety now available, it is easy to find a style that suits both you and your baby.
In addition to the convenience it brings, there are many benefits of babywearing:
- It is believed that babies who are carried close to the parent learn more than those who are not, as their brain is stimulated to a greater degree
- Babies who are worn tend to cry and fuss less than those who are not, and suffer less from colic and reflux
- Babywearing results in more emotionally-secure and confident babies
- It aids successful breastfeeding as the baby can feed on demand, and the proximity stimulates increased milk production for the mother
- Babywearing offers greater convenience than a pushchair or pram, and enables you to go places that may otherwise be innaccessible
- The act of holding your baby close can reduce the likelihood and severity of post-natal depression, as it stimulates hormones within the mother
- The risk of positional plagiocephaly (flat head syndrome) is reduced, as less time is spent in car seats, or lying flat on their back, which can put pressure on delicate bones of the skull
So it’s all sounding pretty good. But what about playing? How do they play if they are in a sling all the time? Well, they don’t stay in the sling constantly – they still get plenty of time to crawl around and play with toys. And what about when they get too big? Well, with some of the carriers on the market now, you can still wear your baby well into his toddlerhood, if you wish. It is not uncommon to find slings, particularly the type that use both shoulders, that are able to accomodate a 2, or even 3 year old. So you don’t have to stop babywearing until both of you want to.
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