The Benefits of Babywearing (or, How to Make Kangaroos Jealous)

I can still so vividly remember the very first day I wore my daughter in a wrap in public. She was 2 months old. I had been using wraps and slings around the house, but the first time I wore her in public was just different. There was something so liberating about it. And something kind of intimidating too, because I did not see one other mom doing it. I was a new mom so everything about that baby-filled world was so new to me. I saw lots of strollers and moms shopping and pushing the stroller back and forth to keep their baby happy or asleep. But they were not looking at or connecting with their babies. So, I got over that intimidation fast. My heart fills with joy that I discovered babywearing when I did. It has allowed me nearly one year (ack! my sweet tiny baby is almost one!) of extra snuggles, peace, and comfort with my daughter.

Our first time wrapped together in public- at Babies R Us back in March 2013!

Babies instinctively want to be held. Infants who are worn in a carrier, wrap, or sling feel safer and therefore cry less because they are at peace. They spent 9 months inside your womb. The world can be loud and scary and overwhelming. A wrap can take them back to that happy, cozy place and make them feel safest.

The hands-free aspect is probably the most obvious benefit of babywearing. How often as new moms do we need to do something that absolutely does require TWO hands? (even though we learn quickly how to do A LOT with just one hand!) By wearing your baby, you have a little more freedom without the stress of having to put down a baby who might be fussy, teething, gassy, reflux-y, and the list goes on.

Speaking of reflux, babywearing is amazing for that- keeping baby upright longer will help them digest and keep that milk from coming back up and causing pain and crying. If you are breastfeeding, babywearing can allow you to nurse on the go, while doing chores, or while looking after other children. You don’t have to feel glued to the couch and your baby still gets what they need. Win!

Early babywearing days...

Months before Wrap Me Tender was even dreamed about!

I truly believe that babywearing contributes amazingly to social and cognitive development. My daughter is so interested in the world around her, and that is because she has gotten to experience the world by being on our level. She sees what we see and hears what we hear.  We have been able to go to the beach, hilly zoos, aquarium stadiums and other places where a stroller would have been a pain in the neck or impossible. 

Our first trip to the mall!

My husband loves wearing our daughter when we do family activities. Sometimes it is hard for dads to feel a part of the excitement and bonding, especially right in the beginning. Giving a dad time to wear baby can allow them to bond in a very special way.

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Some of you may have heard of “flat-head syndrome” (plagiocephaly) which can be caused from extended time in a car seat and sleeping on their backs (which is recommended anyway to reduce the risk of SIDS). So, instead of spending even more time with their head resting in a bassinet or stroller or laying on a blanket, when you babywear, you give their head time away from those flat surfaces. Additionally, it allows their neck muscles to strengthen and works out similar core muscles that “tummy time” works on.

And babywearing is simply FUN! Keeping your baby close and cuddly and kissable and wearing them in different fashionable wraps is fun! And who doesn’t like that!?