This week is National Baby wearing Week! If you were like me 2 kids ago this week will come and go. If you are like me now you will realize the importance that baby wearing has not only on a baby but on its bond between them and their mother.
Your little one spent 9 months inside of you feeling your heart beat, feeling your warmth and love and all of a sudden Nature took its course and your little one was thrown out into the world. If you notice one of the first things that is done to baby is swaddle them. This allows them to feel that same security they felt inside of you. That being said life happens and they grow. Feeling true comfort when close to the warmth of a loved one.
Here are a few great reasons why Baby Wearing is important.
1. Creates a Bond. Mom may have given birth but the bond between a child and a caregiver doesn’t have to end there. This is an important tool for dads, grandparents, adoptive parents and more! A baby will feel loved by not only mommy who carried him for 9 months but through that bond they will feel by others who wear them,and share in this special experience that gives comfort, security and peace.They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver.
2.Good for baby’s emotional development. Studies suggest babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. & often become independent at an earlier age.
3. They’ll cry less. Think about it, most of the time when a baby cries its because they want to be held. My 1 year old still loves to be held. Most of the time there is nothing wrong. Because of this research has shown that babies who are carried cry on average, 43% less overall.
4.Good for baby’s mental development. Babies spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried it is said that this is the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried. They get a new and better perspective about the world around them because they are not just in a crib or in a stroller but interacting, feeling and seeing what you are making the learning experience a subtle but lasting one.
5.You only have two hands! One of my favorite quotes of all time is: “If evolution existed moms would have three hands” It makes me laugh because well moms should have come equipped with more than two hands but since they didn’t baby wearing is the next best thing. I’m not a fan of putting your baby’s car set on the shopping cart. I’ve read too many stories about tragedies happening because of it. So what better way to shop than keeping your little one close to you at all times! Not only will they be comfy cozy next to you but you’ll still have those two free hands you need 🙂
Bottom line
There are many reasons people may not baby wear. Fear that a carrier may not be safe. Worry about the discomfort on one’s back. “Convenience” and just plain not knowing what a great option it is. After 4 children I can honestly say this has been one of the best decisions I could have made early on. One I wish I would have done starting with my first. Baby wearing has shown me that although I have a little one that is dependent on me I can do anything. People always ask me how “Do I do it?” with 4 kids and the answers is simple I baby wear. There are so many different carriers one can try out you are bound to find one that fits your lifestyle,personality and taste.
There are many Baby Wearing classes and chapters available nation wide that can help you make the best choice in carriers. See for yourself the gift of baby wearing not only for you but for your little one.
Comments & Reviews
But what about when your baby HATES being in carriers of any kind and is only somewhat content when you hold them with both your aching arms. I’ve spent four months swaying and bouncing up and down my small apartment while my husband does all the housework and I’m going to lose my mind if she doesn’t take to a carrier soon.
The more I learn about babywearing the more eager I am to try. I’m hoping to purchase a woven wrap soon, or make my own wrap.
Luckily, my son loves being worn and I love wearing him. I get a lot more done at home; vacuuming, cleaning, doing laundry, and going for walks are a lot more fun when I carry him. I just love it!
I hate to admit it, but my husband and I use to scoff at babywearing before we had kids. Hahaha! The joke was on us. After trying to wrestle with a stroller and using a “cheapie” carrier for “just in case”, we invested in an Ergo Performance and have never looked back.
#5 is so true. The 5 o’clock fussies usually hit right when I’m trying to get dinner cooked so we can all get to bed at a reasonable hour. I’m in love with my boba because I can back carry and have my hands free to cook without worrying (for the most part) that DD’s going to get hurt or in the way.
Also I cannot get the entry form for baby wearing giveaway to work 🙁
Great post! We love baby wearing! Just wish he would be cool on my back
We LOVE baby wearing. We learned about an Ergo & got one for baby #4!!! I wear her everywhere in that thing. Forgive me for this being so short… I’ve typed out 2 paragraphs already both randomly deleted. So I’m irritated & my phone is going to die. Grrr! But I love getting comments on my ergo & telling people about baby wearing! 🙂
I don’t know how I’d survive without baby wearing. My son is very attached to me, which is great, but sometimes mama just needs to be able to make supper with two hands! I felt like a brand new mama when he was finally big enough to be worn on my back in my Boba. I loved the moby for the newborn stage, and I often still wear him in the front on walks, but I didn’t feel comfortable wearing him in the front when cooking.
I don’t have a little one yet (expecting our first in June!), but I’ve watched sister-in-laws and friends babywear, and I can easily see the benefits of it. I’m glad I’ve got this article to share with others, too. Trying to determine what’s our best bet to purchase with the arrival of our little one. Any suggestions? I’d like to have a couple, but I’m not sure when it’s best to use different types. Thanks!
I absolutely love babywearing. Love having her close to me with all the benefits it provides. I do so every chance I get. Find it easier than a stroller though we do use that as well. We babywear more often than not.
I agree with this whole list. I had taken a picture of myself and my son in a woven wrap for the first time and a bunch of family members had nothing nice to say. One asked “Are you taking up a new religion?” (Seriously?!) We love it, my son cries less (and he is definitely a baby that needs attention constantly) and I can actually get stuff done. Even my husband babywears. Husbands babywearing and cleaning a house? New definition of hot!
I’m a first time mom and have a baby that loves being held. It was hard at first, I didn’t want her to cry so I always held her, leaving stuff undone. A friend told me about baby wearing to get things done, and I’m so happy about it! I absolutely love all the benefits it has.
Babywearing is a part of our daily life over here. We opted to get a cnvertable carseat instead of a bucket when she was born and so we were never able to carry her in those buckets (omg, who can manage that? My arm would fall off!) So she was always worn. We dont have a stroller either, so she is just worn – all the time! Sometimes when she is tired but is being stubborn we “wrap nap” her, wrap her up and walk her around until she falls asleep (: I lve how snuggly and close babywearing makes us.
I love to wear my baby. Its true about the alert senses, because she does pay attention to things and sometimes things that I don’t even notice. I.e. when she sees balloons she say “Birthday”, and I never taught her that, so it is funny. At first before I had her I didn’t think I would like carrying a baby like that, but I do love Love LOVE carrying my baby… although she will be 2 next week and is 24lbs. Lol.. I love bonding with her.
Babywearing is the only way I can get my son to sleep at least 40% of the time! Walk him around the house and he is out. Also, just love to have him close. Now, if only I could afford all the carriers ….
My daughter is teething right now and babywearing is calming her down SOOOO much! I highly recommend it to any new momma. It makes life in general so much easier and makes your baby feel more “included” in your daily life!
Great post! I love baby wearing. It is so much more convenient for me than pushing my baby in a stroller. Not to mention, all the great benefits it has which you wrote about! I wish all moms and dads knew how awesome baby wearing is.
We love carrying our baby in our boba carrier. both my husband and I use it and it’s great that it’s so simple to adjust for their one of us. Baby boy has been falling asleep in it lately. He’s so comfy in there!
I love holding my baby. It just plain makes me feel happy and secure to have her close. Wearing her is my way of accomplishing that realistically, since, you know I have to eat and do stuff. Lol
Yes it can get tiring when baby starts to put on the pounds, but have you ever tried to keep your eyes on toddlers in public. It’s easier to strap them to you than to worry.
I completely agree with the benefits of baby wearing! I hope to wear my third when they arrive even more then the first two
I loved baby wearing my daughter. Easy to get around in the city with public transportation.
I, like you, have four children as well and babywearing is a must! Not only for the bond but being able to function around them home and giving attention to my other children has really been easier with a carrier. I love my ring sling best!
I love wearing my babies! I wear my 2 1/2 yr old on my back and my newborn on my front
I started wearing my son when he was a couple months old. I wish I would have done it from the very beginning. I have used a moby, k’tan and ergo. I really want a ring sling! Babywearing is the way to go!
I wish I had more support when my son was small enough to wear, I gave up when it became painful. Similiar to breastfeeding in that regard.
I used a ring sling with my first child but had to quit early due to back strain. I think I’ll try an SSC with my next!
I agree with all of the above! I started babywearing once my baby girl was here and I haven’t stopped! I love that bonding – call me an attachment parenter all ya want .. I hate being away from my baby! 🙂
Good concept and back to basics of nature!
My first born HATED the stroller so that got me kick started into babywearing. 3 kids later and I still love carrying them.
Agree! I can see the benefits of it! Much easier to do things as well when both your hands are free 🙂