Babywearing – The Benefits of Carrying Your Baby

Babywearing is an instinctive parenting style where a baby is held close to the parent in a sling or pouch for a substantial part of the day. It allows a busy parent the freedom to continue their normal daily routine while providing the richest and most desirable environment for their child.

Social conditioning has led parents to believe that if a baby is held or carried too frequently they will be spoilt, clingy or demanding. Modern research reveals quite the opposite. The physical and psychological benefits associated with baby wearing encourage children to feel secure and content and build a solid sense of self-esteem.

Babywearing calms fussy babies and helps decrease the occurrence of postnatal depression. The close proximity of the baby enables parents to respond to ‘non-crying’ signals, which results in less frustration and stress and most of all… less crying.

Babywearing not only promotes an intimate connection between parent and baby, it is hailed as one of the most important factors in the healthy physical, intellectual and social development of infants. It promotes good digestion which is believed to greatly eases the distressing symptoms of colic and reflux.

Babies worn in slings are less clingy and tend to initiate separation much earlier than babies less frequently held. It allows them to be AT the centre of activity not THE centre of attention, which is a wonderful environment proven to stimulate brain development and cognitive learning.

ALL babies are born ‘pre-mature’, that is they are unable to move or feed alone. Babywearing allows a baby to complete its ‘extero-gestation’ period needed for the proper development and health of the infant.

The Benefits of Babywearing

Babywearing enables the mother to be acutely aware of her baby’s cues and signals and heightens her perception of her child’s needs. It reduces crying and fussiness by up to 51%, with parents feeling more competent and nurturing toward their children.

Being in close physical contact with a parent provides a baby with a rich learning environment where all of their most important needs can be met – food, warmth, love and touch.

Babies who are carried learn more, stimulating brain development and expanding their future learning potential.

Babywearing also:

• Increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion.
• Provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing their nervous system and creating a quiet, calm alertness in the infant.
• Decreases the levels of stress hormones circulating in a baby’s blood stream, resulting in a more relaxed, happy baby
• Develops the muscles needed for the infant to sit, stand and walk.
• Enhances motor skills by stimulating the baby’s vestibular system (balance organs) by exposing the baby to a variety of sights, sounds and motion.
• Offers easy access to the infant’s food source – mothers’ breast milk, without having to stop or sit down.

Frequently carried babies fall asleep quickly and will usually sleep deeper and for longer periods of time in the comfort of their sling. Babies worn in slings feel safe and secure which helps to foster a solid sense of self.

What to wear

We asked our BellyBelly members to tell us what their favourite sling is to wear. To find out the results of the poll and to read the discussion, click here.

This article was written by the creators of the Hug-A-Bub Baby Carrier – babywearing advocates Tania Palmer and Suzanne Shahar. For more baby wearing discussion and advice, join in on our Baby Wearing section of the forums here!