Why should you wear your baby?
Babywearing adheres to our biological nature Babies are born with the natural grasping reflex to cling to their mothers. Babywearing fulfills this natural instinct .
Lowers Incidence of Illness
Studies have shown that babywearing is linked to lowering the incidence of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome), behavioral disorders and postpartum depression in mothers
Advances Social Development
Infants are physically closer to people and intimately involved in their caregiver’s environment. According to Dr. Sears, “baby becomes aware of, and learns from, all the subtle facial expressions, body language, voice inflections and tones, breathing patterns and emotions of the caregiver.” Babies are exposed to the all the aspects of being human through their caregiver, increasing social development
Babies in a content and safe environment are able to be more alert and aware of their surroundings, providing the perfect environment for learning. This also provides the parent with an opportunity for increased interaction and bonding time with their baby. Carried babies are able to learn language more quickly since they are positioned at voice and eye level. They become more involved in conversations and begin to learn how to listen
Makes Sibling Care Easier
Carrying baby enables the caregiver to have both hands free. Caregivers have the freedom to care for other children while carrying their baby close
Provides Fathers With a Soothing Touch
A father who participates in babywearing can actually soothe a fussy baby. Fathers can hold babies close and talk, hum or sing which is calming to babies
Reduces Crying Significantly
Just three hours a day of babywearing significantly reduces crying
Decreases The Risk of Flat Head Syndrome
This syndrome is caused by the babies spending too much time in car seats or sleeping on their backs. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies should spend minimal amount of time in car seats when not used in a motor vehicle. Babywearing does not require babies to lie flat, thus no pressure is placed on the baby’s head. Additionally, babies can be carried while they sleep, further reducing the amount of time they spend flat on their backs
Prolactin and oxytocin levels in the mother are increased through contact with baby. Increased levels of mothering hormones leads to easier breastfeeding, more responsible mothering and a more secure maternal bond. Additionally these hormones inhibit the negative impact of stress on the mother
Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M., & Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61. 1617-1627.
Asaff, S. (2009, December 21). Fathers and baby wearing. Suite 101. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from http://infantstoddlers.suite101.com/article.cfm/fathers_and_baby_wearing
Babywearing. (2010, July 6). Wikipedia. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babywearing
Krauss, K. (n.d.). Baby carriers past and present: Herstory is history. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from http://www.babyinasling.com/articles/baby-carriers-past-and-present-herstory-is-history.php
O’Mara, P. (2010, April 30). A call to arms. Mothering. Retrieved from http://www.mothering.com/articles/a-call-to-arms/
Sears, W. (n.d.). Fussy babies. Retrieved July 7, 2010, from http://www.askdrsears.com/html/5/t051
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