The practice of wearing one’s baby is not really common here in the United States. Although it is becoming more common, most women schlep babies around in a stroller. So why would you want to carry your baby around all day? The benefits, although not widely publicized, are well researched in sociological studies. Baby wearing is quite common in other parts of the world. Here are some reasons why:
1. Wearing your baby allows you to get things done and soothe your fussy baby. It also is very convenient for breastfeeding.
2. Your baby cries up to 46% less! I have to admit, I’m not sure how you quantify crying by a percentage but it has been reported in these same studies that in cultures where infants are carried almost all the time, you can hardly hear a whimper. Babies are happier when they are next to someone who loves them.
3. Carrying a baby is frequently more convenient than lugging the stroller around. We found this out when we started to take public transportation with our children on a regular basis.
4. Baby wearing is great for your baby’s physical development. By wearing your baby, your baby is able to get into a natural rhythm by following your heart beat and breathing patterns. Research has suggested that this helps baby make the transition from the womb.
5. Babies that are worn frequently, learn more. This only makes sense: if they spend less time crying, they spend more time alert, quiet and watching.
6. Baby wearing encourages breastfeeding by making it easier. You can breastfeed a baby hands-free in a carrier and you can do so discreetly, no matter where you are.
7. Studies have shown that babies who are worn tend to have better speech development. Babies are at eye and voice level when they are worn and researchers suggest that being able to hear actual conversations vs. background noise helps babies develop speech patterns earlier. It may also help avoid speech problems as a toddler.
8. Baby wearing makes sibling care easier. By wearing your baby in a sling or something similar, you are able to care for an older child while meeting your baby’s needs as well.
9. Baby wearing is very good for premature infants. In poorer hospitals in South America, where they could not afford incubators, doctors were forced to use mothers as an “incubator” for premature infants. They wrapped the baby in a sling like wrap around his mother and the results were astonishing! The babies who were wrapped to their mothers thrived as well as, and in some cases better than their counterparts who had access to the incubator.
10. Baby wearing is also good for failure to thrive infants. Failure to thrive is the medical jargon for infants who are not gaining weight. Because movement stimulates the baby and helps keep him calm, babies use their energy to grow instead of cry!
While baby wearing is a great practice, it is important to get the right carrier so you and the baby are comfortable. Make sure that you look at my next blog about picking the most comfortable carrier.