Babywearing

For all the latest and greatest info on Babywearing, please attend Babywearing 101 with the fabulous Kristin Speltz, the second Saturday of every month!

Why Wear Your Baby?

(compiled from “The Benefits of Babywearing” www.askdrsears.com, 9/7/09

Babies cry less.

A study done in 1986 in Montreal* showed that babies who were carried at least three hours a day cried 43% less. Physical closeness can help caregivers pick up on baby’s hunger and elimination cues.

Babies learn more.

When babies are crying less, they spend more time in a quiet alert state which allows them to better interact with their environment and their parents.

Babies are more organized.

Babies can more easily adapt to life outside the womb. Carrying baby close simulates the rhythms baby experienced in the womb. Baby can hear mom’s heartbeat and feel her breathing, helping soothe and regulate baby’s movements and emotional states.

Babies get “humanized” earlier.

Learning is enhanced when baby is involved in their caregiver’s world, hearing what they hear, seeing what they see and feeling what they feel. Baby is more exposed to the activities of day-to-day life and how human beings interact.

Babies are smarter.

Experiencing their environment helps stimulate nerve and brain development. Wearing baby near eye and voice level enhances attentiveness and speech development.

More great reasons to wear your baby…

(compiled from anecdotes from baby-wearing parents)

Babies feel more secure, enhancing the bond and trust with their caregiver.
Parents are more in tune with their baby’s rhythms and cues.
Carriers allow mom to hold baby and be “hands free” to attend to chores or other children.
Helps protect baby from strangers who can’t resist touching a new baby.
Easy to nurse discreetly or on-the-go

Safe Babywearing

Practice with a helper or doll until you are confident. Check your reflection in store/car windows to make sure everything looks right.
Be sure head and neck are well supported in younger babies.
Make sure baby’s breathing is not restricted by keeping their mouth and nose uncovered, and their chin away from their chest.
Support baby with one arm if you need to bend over.
Be aware of quick movements, doorways, hot stoves, or sharp objects nearby.
More information on safe babywearing and positioning is available here

Comparison of Baby Carriers

Moby Wrap

Long piece of stretchy fabric that wraps around the wearer’s body and the baby.

Pros Cons

Newborn – Toddler Can get hot for wearer and baby

Hands-free carrying Takes practice to learn

Comfortable for long periods Limited adjustability once baby is in carrier

Can nurse in carrier

Can do forward facing carry

Inexpensive

Ring Sling (i.e. Rockin Baby Sling)

A long piece of fabric worn diagonally around the body and over one shoulder and fed through two rings.

Pros Cons

Newborn - Toddler Less comfortable for long periods

Easily adjustable Takes practice to learn

Great for nursing on the go

Hip carry

Forward facing carry

Easy to store in diaper bag

Mei Tai (i.e. Freehand or Babyhawk)

Soft fabric carrier that ties around the waist and over both shoulders.

Pros Cons

Newborn – Toddler More difficult to nurse younger baby

Comfortable for long periods Less adjustability once baby in carrier

Back carry

Easy to store in diaper bag

Soft Structured Carrier (i.e. Beco, AngelPack, Lillebaby or Pikkolo)

Structured carrier that buckles around the waist and over both shoulders.

Pros Cons

Newborn – Toddler (Beco, Lillebaby) More difficult to nurse younger baby

3 mo – Toddler (Angelpack, Pikkolo) Cost

Comfortable for long periods

Easily Adjustable

Easy to learn

Back carry

Forward facing carry (Lillebaby, Pikkolo)

I love their dependable resource center for natural parenting. The staff is educated and truly cares about teaching all different aspects of natural parenting ⎯ pre- and post-natal!

Lisa LeBlanc Harrington