Why Wearing Your Baby is Important

If you are a new parent and breastfeeding, this is a great post for you or anyone in this life stage. I want to talk about “baby wearing.” Yes, it is exactly how it sounds. You wear your baby. In the United States this may seem like a new concept, but baby wearing goes back thousands of years and spans the entire globe. Before there were babysitters, daycare or maternity leave, mothers had to carry their babies with them while working, doing household chores and everyday tasks.

What are the Benefits of Wearing Your Baby?

Wearing your baby is not only a benefit to your baby, but a benefit to you, your partner and even your breastfeeding. Being able to remain in constant contact with your baby allows you and those that wear your baby the opportunity to create a close bond. Also, the close proximity allows you to learn your baby’s delicate clues, understand your baby’s behaviors and breastfeed on demand. Babies that are “worn” are less likely to cry; they sleep better and have reduced stress which helps with healthier weight gain and mental development.

How Wearing Your Baby Helps with Breastfeeding on Demand

The statement “breastfeeding on demand” is the baby’s preferred schedule to breastfeed; not yours. With baby wearing, your baby is the one regulating when they breast feed. The more you wear your baby, the more effective breastfeeding on demand is.

Baby Wearing using a Carrier, Sling or Wrap. What’s the Difference?

It doesn’t make a difference. It’s based on your personal preference on what you feel is the most comfortable to wear.

What to Consider When You Wear Your Baby

Now that baby wearing has become more popular, there are many baby carriers, slings and other devices to carry your baby. Similar to my blog about homemade vs. store-bought baby food, I cannot recommend one product over another because it should fit into your lifestyle and budget.

Here is some food for thought when selecting and using a carrier, sling or wrap to wear your baby:

• Safety always comes first. Second in priority should be comfort for you and your baby.
• Always be aware of your baby’s body alignment while in a carrier, sling or wrap, especially during the newborn period.
• Your baby’s face should always be visible, with their head and neck placed in a position that does not risk closing off the airway.

If you have a newborn, your baby’s legs and hips should NEVER be spread, rotated or turned out like a frog while on your chest. This can cause damage to the growing and fragile hips of your baby. I suggest you look for particular inserts, products and wrapping techniques made specifically for newborns and to ask the sales representative for more information if needed.

Are you wearing your baby? I would love to know which is your favorite carrier, sling or wrap. Help other moms know how wonderful and beneficial baby wearing is! Let us know in the comments below.

Happy Baby Wearing!