Lullaby Baby Carriers Blog

Babywearing is not new.  It’s not a fad.  Babywearing has been around for hundreds of years and it provides lots of great benefits for both parents and babies.

One obvious benefit is that babies are comforted by being kept in close contact with their mom or dad (or caregiver). Sure, you could put your baby in a stroller, but using a baby carrier allows your baby to be snuggled up to you and enjoy your warmth and familiar smell.  It is less intimidating for them to view the world from there, than from a stroller where they are being pushed towards the unknown and they can’t even see you.  Babies are less likely to cry when you wear them, because they feel content and secure.

Studies have shown that babies who have been “worn” are more likely to develop their communication and social skills faster.  Keeping them close to you allows them to see the expressions on your face and learn about body language.  They often learn to speak faster as well; you more likely to talk with your baby as you go through the day, which will help them to develop faster socially.

Another benefit of babywearing is that your baby is less likely to develop plagiocephaly or ‘flat head syndrome.’  This occurs to babies that spend too much time in strollers or car seats in addition to sleeping on their back. While babies should sleep on their back to prevent SIDS, you need to be careful how they are positioned while they are awake because the baby’s head is so soft.  This can be prevented by using a baby carrier.

Babywearing offers lots of benefits to parents as well.  Wearing your baby allows you to have your hands free, so you can get things done that would otherwise be difficult to do without interruption. When you go out, instead of dealing with that big stroller, you will only have a piece of cloth to keep with you, which easily folds up when you are not using it. You can even breastfeed hands free. Moms also benefit from the closeness of their baby, which can help to alleviate problems with postpartum depression because babies are kept close without having to interact with them all the time.  The bond that is created will benefit both mom and baby in the long run.

So, make sure that you take the time to look into babywearing closely; it may be just what you and your baby need.  For more information, please check out the posts under the babywearing and attachment parenting categories on the right.  Also check out www.babywearinginternational.org.

Please read through the following 20 safety tips to ensure a happy babywearing experience!

1. Inspect the carrier regularly for broken threads, holes or frayed spots, to ensure the integrity of the fabric.
2. Inspect the stitching and pull any loose threads; better they unravel from pulling, than from the weight of your baby!
3. Fabric should be sturdy and have appropriate strength when pulled – especially on stress points.  Again, better to tear from you pulling than from baby’s weight.
4. Babywearing is a skill to be learned – practice!
5. Learn new carries with a spotter or over a bed, couch or chair when learning back carries.
6. Proper position in the baby carrier is important for the infant’s hip, pelvis and spine growth; carriers which disperse most of the infant’s weight between the hips and thighs are better than ones where weight is supported by a narrow strip of fabric at the crotch.
7. Ensure safe positioning of the baby; you should be able to fit two fingers between chin and chest at all times, so as not to constrict the baby’s airway.
8. If baby seems to be snoring, wheezing, whistling, or has labored breathing, they need to be adjusted immediately.
9. Use a small support pillow or towel under newborn babies’ backs in the cradle position to keep their chin sufficiently away from their chest.
10. Not all babies will communicate discomfort; lightly push on the baby’s back, if their spine straightens or they scootch up, they need more support.
11. Keep blankets and other loose fabric away from the baby’s face.
12. Avoid over-dressing your child, as they will be kept warmer than you expect just from being held close to your body.
13. Only attempt carries or use baby carriers appropriate for your child’s developmental stage.
14. Beware of hazards on the ground that you may not be able to see with a baby on your front.
15. Remember that you need more room to turn around and get through narrow spaces without bumping the baby.
16. Be attentive to the baby’s interaction with their environment; babies have more freedom of movement and are higher up.  Remember to watch baby doesn’t grab hot drinks, a pot on the stove, or other dangerous items.  Never cook while wearing your baby.  A child worn on the back may be able to reach things you can’t see.
17. Baby carriers must be fit snugly and properly to avoid an active baby wiggling out.
18. Never wear an uncooperative child on your back.
19. Knotted carriers should be tied snugly with a square or reef knot (right over left and through, then left over right and through).
20. Remember to use your legs to bend and lift to avoid injuring your back.

Let’s face it, no matter how many parenting books we read or how many well-meaning, advice-giving relatives that we have, parenting is just not easy.  It can be hard to nurture our little ones as much as we would like while still having enough time to do the things that are important to us, or even the things that need to be done. It can often feel as though you need four arms, or a thirty hour day to do everything that you need to do, but the truth is that you just need to start considering what tools can help you out.  Babywearing, the practice of keeping your baby close to your body in a baby carrier of one design or another, is one great way to start maximizing your time, and you’ll find that it has plenty of other benefits as well.

Your baby needs attention.  He or she needs to be close to you at all times; maybe they can’t be quiet when you are not in close, touching proximity, or maybe they’ll just get into mischief.  It’s adorable, it’s heartwarming, and it can be a real pain when you have things that you need to get done!  Being close to a parent is something that babies require to be really content and when they’re out of contact with you, it is only too likely that they will become fractious and fussy.  When you start wearing your baby, you’ll find that you can stay in bodily contact with your baby while still doing other things.  You will have both hands free and you can move freely as well.  You won’t need to balance your baby precariously under your arm or on your hip, and your baby will feel snug and secure.

When you are babywearing, you’ll find that you can get things done when your baby is sleeping and content or even when they are up and happy.  You can use a baby carrier while you are gardening, doing your chores, reading, or going for a walk.  You will be able to tend to your other children and they will not feel neglected with a new baby around.  It can allow you to breastfeed with your hands free, and you may even find that this is a great way to dance with your baby as well.  You won’t feel trapped by your baby because you’ll be able to go places and do things without feeling guilty. Moreover, you will be able to go places that are difficult with strollers, such as stairs or escalators, on grass, sandy beaches, wading in a pool or lake, through crowded malls, street festivals, a busy airport, a bus or subway. You have none of the juggling and struggling of a stroller.  Get other members of your family involved in babywearing, and you’ll find that they’ll start loving it as well.

While babywearing is something that is very advantageous for the parent, remember that it is even better for your baby!  Your baby will love being snuggled up next to you.  After all, babies are easily spooked by new things and new experiences and you’ll find that letting them snuggle up to you with their whole bodies will be very comforting to them.  They can stretch against your torso and be comforted by the sound of your heart.  They will feel safe and bonded with you in a way you couldn’t imagine.  You’ll also discover that this is a great way to keep your baby warm.

Also consider that you are going to be able to keep your baby with you much more than you would if you were just carrying them.  Babies, no matter how small, are going to get heavy over time, and there is only so much your arms can take.  With babywearing, you’ll put your child in one of your favorite baby carriers slings or a baby wrap and carry them around.  Your ability to keep them with you won’t be based on the strength of your arms, and instead, you are going to be able to supervise them while still going on with your life.  Consider how great it will be for your baby to go anywhere you are going.

One impressive point in favour of babywearing is that it actually helps your baby learn more.  When we think of babies crying, we think about how distracting it is to us, but also think about how distracting it is to them, as well. Babies who aren’t wasting their energy crying and fussing will focus much more readily on the things around them.  Moreover, remember that crying is exhausting; how many times can you think of your baby going right to sleep after they have had a crying fit?  A baby who is worn will cry less and sleep better.  They will also be much more alert and well rested over all.

Remember that with babywearing, your baby is going to get a wider array of experiences and enhance their social development as well.  When you can take your baby places more easily, you’ll simply go out more.  Babies who are exposed to more interesting stimuli and social interactions will be more apt to take in all the sensations around them.  A child in a baby carrier is closer to people and can study facial expressions, learn languages faster and be more familiar with body language.  This is far better than babies whose only stimuli come from the mobile above their crib or playpen!

Developmentally, babies who have early experience with babywearing do much better than babies who are left to their own devices.  It is commonly believed that babies do only half of their “prenatal” developing in the womb.  Once outside, they continue to develop crucially for another nine months.  Your constant motion is important for your baby’s continued brain development, gastrointestinal and respiratory health and to establish balance and muscle tone.  Also, babywearing allows them to regulate their body’s irregular rhythms to your calming rhythm of touch and movement, thereby easing the transition from the womb to life in the outside world.

Emotionally, babies need to feel attached to you. Some people may wonder if holding a baby close all the time makes them more needy. On the contrary, if they can see and touch you whenever they want to, they are reassured that you will be there when they need you. Independence is usually established earlier in these children because they are more confident when it comes time to explore on their own.

Don’t forget that babywearing is ideal for special needs babies as well.  Researchers have found that babies who are experiencing a failure to thrive, preemie babies and handicapped babies all benefit greatly from it.  The close proximity to mom helps these babies thrive. Being close to mom entices them to feed more frequently, keeps them warmer, and keeps them calm so that they can spend their energy growing instead of crying. It was also found that the mom’s breathing movements stimulated the baby’s breathing, sort of like a respiratory pacemaker, so that these babies had fewer stop-breathing episodes.   Babies of mothers with postpartum depression will find they can develop a deeper bond with their mothers, and mothers with postpartum depression can overcome it faster because progesterone (the mothering hormone) is increased through physical contact with your infant.

Babywearing can bring out the best in you and your baby, so whether you have a little one or you are expecting, now is the time to look into this ancient and highly useful practice! For more information on different baby carriers check out our “Choosing a Baby Carrier” category or shop for a great selection of baby carriers and accessories.