Lullaby Baby Carriers Blog

If you’ve recently had a baby, are about to have a baby, or even if your child is already in preschool – this is a really awesome thing you can do to commemorate their birth and make time stand still.

The moment your baby enters this world is a special time that you’ll want to remember for years to come. A newborn time capsule is a great way to honour your baby’s birth and share with him a snapshot of that special time when he is grown.

To create your time capsule, you need to gather several things that reflect the events of the day.

Newspapers make a great addition to any time capsule. Local papers tell the story of what was happening in your community on the day he was born, while national papers provide a glimpse of then-current events. Both offer the opportunity for you to stroll down memory lane, as well as give your child a brief history lesson when the capsule is finally opened.

Money and stamps provide fun signs of the times, too. Throw in a few different coin denominations and a sheet of stamps. If possible, make a list of prices for goods and services, like milk and bread or gasoline. Whether done on the computer or simply handwritten on a sheet of paper, this is a nice addition.

You can personalize the time capsule by adding things like baby’s first picture, the outfit he wears home from the hospital and even his hospital beanie and bracelet. Take time to write a special letter welcoming your child and sharing your hopes for his future to give the capsule even more meaning.

Although my son is now 3 years old, I’ve got many of these things stashed away that I’m going to put together into a time capsule.  As for the newspapers, I’ll look for news articles of the day online and print them out. You could also do a time capsule for any other special day in your child’s life, such as a milestone birthday or first day of school…whatever!  It doesn’t have to be for his birth.  Doing something like this is a wonderful tribute to your child and shows them how special they are to you.

You are limited only by your imagination – and the size of your capsule container.  Have fun with it!

I came across this site today and got pretty excited about it. Granted these ideas are geared for kids who can read and write but I bet you could easily modify it for preschoolers.

Undoubtedly, there will be times when your child is in between favorite characters or heroes and can’t decide on a theme for his birthday party. Or you’re having a few of her friends over and are looking for something fun for them to do together. Teachers and homeschoolers would probably love these ideas too.

If you’ve ever found yourself stuck for ideas, you may want to add these Parties With Purpose guides to your bag of tricks. The set includes The Giving Book, The Hero Book, The Greening Book, and The Healthy Body Book. (I receive no compensation for any purchases you make). You can plan a whole party around the ideas in these guides or just select specific activities that meet your needs.

If anyone has held one of these parties, or plans to… I’d love to hear how it worked out!

Nursing in a Cuddly Wrap

There are many benefits of breastfeeding, which is why there has been a great increase in the number of breastfeeding moms in recent years. Check out some these breastfeeding benefits to mom and baby:

Breastfeeding, like babywearing, provides a great bonding experience between mom and baby. Because mom is the only one able to feed the baby for at least the first few weeks of life they have more time to bond. The baby’s eyes can only focus about 8-10 inches away, which just happens to be how far from mom’s face they are when breastfeeding. The eye contact, skin to skin contact, and early interaction provide a wonderful bonding experience.  Fortunately, whether your breastfeeding or not, this bonding can be achieved to a large degree by using a baby wrap, or sling (great news for Dads!).

The colostrum or “first milk” for the baby is very important for health and immune development. Colostrum is produced in the first few days after giving birth and is more condensed than regular breast milk. The baby gets a lot of nutrients, vitamins and benefits of your immune system in colostrum.  In fact, colostrum is so good for health, it is now available to adults in pill form in some health food stores.

Breastfeeding is better overall for the health of mommy and baby. The baby continues to get nutrients and vitamins that mom takes in everyday, and is able to work up immunities to allergies through mom’s milk. As for mom, her body will go back to normal faster after childbirth by simply breastfeeding. It is a natural process that that helps mom and baby ease into natural health and well being.

In the mother, the uterus goes back to normal faster, shrinking back to its pre-pregnancy size. Because it happens faster there will be some mild cramping, usually felt during nursing sessions.

Many moms lose baby weight faster when they breastfeed. You will burn more calories everyday to keep up with the baby’s diet. You are feeding someone else and maintaining your own body systems so this means the extra calories you burn will help you lose the weight you gained during pregnancy faster than if you were bottle feeding.

Babies often thrive when fed breastmilk. Formula has synthetic vitamins and minerals, made in labs, and they aren’t as healthy as the ones that come from mom. Nothing can replace breast milk, it is naturally one of the most healthy things we can ingest.

Babies also use breastmilk to develop an immune system in early weeks. During the first few months and weeks of baby’s life he or she has no immune system of their own. By breastfeeding they are still using mom’s until they are able to build one of their own. This means less colds, less infections and overall a healthier beginning to life.

Breastfeeding has also been linked to a lower incidence of SIDS. Although scientists aren’t quite sure why, but the numbers show breastfeeding may very well offer protection against this mysterious phenomena.

The saying “breast is best” is still alive after all this time. If you have to formula feed, don’t feel guilty, but if you can breastfeed, even some, it will be completely worthwhile for you and your baby.

Recently I have been reading about “emotional intelligence,” which basically is about understanding and being able to regulate your emotions. One particular book I’m reading is about raising emotionally intelligent children, and I’ve found it supremely helpful in stopping tantrums!

If you’ve read anything else about dealing with tantrums you’ve probably heard the following tip:

*Ignore the tantrum.  This technique works best when at home.  In public places, you don’t want to ever leave your child unattended as a form of punishment.  Good behavior in public begins at home.  Ignoring a toddler is not harsh.  If your child is squirming on the floor screaming for a cookie, act as if you never noticed.  Eventually, they will get the hint and stop screaming.*

If your child is anything like mine, you’ve probably tried that technique with limited (if any) success. When it does work, it’s not without the fallout of you coming to the brink of a nervous breakdown because it’s nearly impossible to ignore the screaming and it takes so long to stop!

In John Gottman’s book, “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child,” he says that dismissing the child’s emotional outburst is teaching them that their feelings are inappropriate or not valid, which in turn may teach them that there is something inherently wrong with them because of the way they feel.  This may make it difficult for them to learn to regulate their emotions as they grow up.  Instead he offers a 5 step process that basically asks you to be an “Emotion Coach” for your child.  The steps are:

1. Become aware of the child’s emotion: anger, sadness, frustration, stress, hurt, irritation, disgust, guilt, envy, regret, shame, pity, and also non-negative ones like happiness, affection, interest, excitement, pride, desire, love, and thankfulness.

2. Recognize the emotion as an opportunity for intimacy and teaching. Ignoring negative feelings rarely makes them go away.  Instead these feelings will dissipate when children (and even adults) can talk about their emotions, label them, and feel understood.

3. Listen empathetically, validating the child’s feelings. Reflect back what they tell you in a soothing, noncritical way, and use your heart to feel what they are feeling. If your child is really upset, you may need to just hold your child and let them cry for a few minutes before they will be ready to talk.

4. Help the child find words to label the emotion he is having. Studies show that being able to label emotions can soothe the nervous system and help children recover more quickly.  If you think about this, it makes perfect sense in your own life too.  I’ve personally found this works like a charm for my 3 year old!  But be careful not to tell him what YOU think he’s feeling – you might get a defiant “no!” You need to ask and offer ideas such as: are you feeling angry?  It seems like your feeling sad, is that true?  I see that you’re upset, are you frustrated about something?

5. Set limits while exploring solutions to the problem at hand. First make sure you set limits on bad behaviour, for example, “I understand you’re mad that Joey took that toy, but it’s not okay to hit him.  What can you do instead?”  Remember their feelings aren’t the problem, their misbehaviour is.  Next you want to help your child identify what they would like to accomplish related to the problem at hand – what is the goal?  With that in mind, help your child think of possible solutions to achieve the goal.  Then evaluate the proposed solutions based on your family’s values – is it fair, will it work, is it safe, how will it affect others?  Finally help your child choose a solution to try and a plan to follow through.  If it doesn’t work, help them learn why and start problem solving anew.

In essence, this technique is teaching children that it’s okay to have all kinds of emotions – everyone has them all – and it’s important to learn how to deal with them effectively to get along in the world. I’ve found this technique invaluable – it really works with all ages of kids!  You just have to adjust to their level of development and understanding.  A friend pointed out the similarity of this method to teaching a baby sign language.  Baby sign language is often promoted as a way to stop tantrums because your child has a way to communicate instead of getting frustrated.  Emotional coaching also offers your child the words to express themselves that they would otherwise feel frustrated about not being able to convey.

At first my husband thought this technique would encourage more crying because you’re giving the child attention, but after 3 years of trying the “ignore it and it will go away” method, we have both noticed an incredible (and I really mean incredible!) difference with our son since adopting emotional coaching.

Another concern of my husband’s was that the technique is too permissive.  He worried that our son would increase his demands for privileges because of our empathetic responses to his outbursts.  According to the author of the book, this should be addressed clearly in step 5 – setting limits.  Parents should let their child know what consequences he can expect for breaking rules or inappropriate behaviour.  It’s important to note, that if you’re an overly permissive parent, you will need to set some rules and stick to them, otherwise this method could backfire on you.

I’m so excited about this book, that I want everyone to know about it.  I highly recommend you pick up a copy of “Raising an Emotionally Intelligent Child – The Heart of Parenting” by John Gottman. (I’m NOT receiving any compensation for promoting it). It’s only about 200 pages, it provides lots of examples, talks about different parenting styles, and addresses how to deal with children of different ages too.

Now that you know how to effectively stop a tantrum that has already begun, here are more tips on avoiding them in the first place:

1. Avoid instant gratification. In public, toddlers throw tantrums when they are denied something that they want.  Some parents give in to keep their child quiet but a child learns quickly.  Tantrums will continue if they know you will cave.  Simply tell them “no” and keep moving.

2. Don’t get angry. When you scream and they scream the situation is wildly out of control.  You’ll end up crying and your toddler will still be screaming.  In any situation, raised voices mean civilized conversation has ended in favor of basic primal instincts.  Don’t revert back to the days of early man.  Keep using the same calm voice you use when they are behaving to get your child to calm down as well.

3. Praise your toddler when they behave well. Positive reinforcement is better than negative.  In the absence of positive attention a child will behave badly just to get some attention at all.  Acting out and throwing tantrums may be a cry for attention.  Don’t let it get to this point.  Clap and celebrate when they go to the potty successfully and when they put away their toys.  Good manners such as saying “please” and “thank you” deserve a smile and a hand clap as well.

4. Run errands after nap time. Kids get punchy when they get tired.  A toddler misbehaves more often if they are dragged around when they are tired.

5. Carry snacks with you. Low blood sugar can lead to tantrums.  If you are out longer than anticipated and lunch or dinner time is close at hand, let them eat a healthy snack to keep their hunger pains at bay and sugar levels stable.

6. Be consistent in your punishment. At home, you might use “time out” to deal with bad behavior.  In public do the same.  Sit your child on a bench for five minutes or take them to the car.  Eventually they will learn that you are not a pushover and they will begin to behave.

You will survive the toddler years.  Nip temper tantrums in the bud with the above tips.  And read up on raising emotionally intelligent children – the benefits FAR exceed the one small example I’ve given about dealing with tantrums – you will be giving your child a much brighter future in more ways than you can imagine!

Do you have a “Kamakaze” Kid?  My little guy is actually quite cautious, but the little girl I babysit, is downright daring and indestructible (mostly).  Scrapes and bruises are a part of everyday life.  Honestly, there are times I’d like to strap her into a baby carrier and avoid the pain that will otherwise ensue… but I resist restricting her freedom… and keep the Arnical Gel handy.

Whether your child is adventurous or cautious, there are still plenty of opportunities to get scraped up.  While there are many over the counter remedies to clean cuts, reduce swelling, prevent infection and promote healing there are twice as many natural remedies which accomplish the same thing.  Nature really does take good care of us.

Here are 10 natural remedies for minor injuries:

1. Witch hazel. This plant is actually a deciduous shrub and the bark and leaves are an astringent which can be used to disinfectant to clean skin.  It’s also commonly used to treat sore muscles and swollen tissue.

2. Aloe vera is a common treatment for sunburns and rashes. A succulent plant grown in warm, tropical climates, it protects and moisturizes the skin.

3. Arnical Gel, which comes from Arnica, a perennial in the sunflower family, is excellent for treating muscle aches and bruising.

4. Raw garlic.  Despite the very unique and potentially unpleasant aroma, garlic cloves can be used to disinfect cuts and scrapes. It’s an antiseptic.

5. Yarrow leaves, when dried and ground into a powder, can be uses to disinfect cuts and scrapes and to stop the bleeding.

6. Lavender essential oil, when combined and diluted by jojoba oil or olive oil, relieves pain, burns and bee stings.

7. Tea tree essential oil, when diluted with jojoba or olive oil, is an antiseptic and antibiotic.  It is great for cleaning minor cuts.

8. Thyme essential oil, when diluted with a base oil like olive or jojoba has both antimicrobial and antiseptic properties.  Use it to clean minor cuts and scrapes and to soothe bruised and sore muscles.

9. Castor oil can be used to treat bruising and reduce swelling.

10. Calendula oil or lotion is used to soothe rashes and minor scrapes.

In addition to these natural remedies, homeopathic remedies can be designed to treat swelling and bruising and flower essences can be used to reduce stress and alleviate shock symptoms.  Mother Nature has provides you with a number of first aid remedies.  You can create your own natural first aid kit today and take advantage of all nature has to offer.

Baby Wrap

Your tiny newborn needs constant assurance that you are there for her.  Your presence and your touch reassure her that she is safe and loved. But sometimes carrying a fretful or colicky baby can drain your energy especially if you have other things to do during the day.  The solution?  A baby wrap.

Babies who are frequently carried and cuddled are happier and they grow up confident and independent.  They cry less and are healthier than babies who are not often carried by their parents.  A baby wrap keeps your little one close to your body, where she’s warm and secure and it’s easy to wear, so it is perfect for both of you.

A baby wrap also makes it easier for Dads to bond with their infants because it is no longer scary for them to carry a tiny infant. Yes, some dads are scared of carrying their newborn infants for fear they might harm the precious cargo.  Wrap baby carriers are made from stretchy or non-stretchy material and can be tied to securely support the child in a number of different positions, depending on age and preference.  Because you can adjust the tension and “snugness” of the carrier, you need not worry about dropping the baby.

With a wrap, you can adjust your babywearing style as your child grows older.  For a newborn up to five months old, it is best to carry baby on your front.  In this position, newborns will have their knees drawn up. As the child grows older you can adjust the wrap for side or back carrying.

You can wear baby beautifully in multiple ways.  Front, back, facing out, or facing in, you can also carry a child weighing up to 40 lbs.  With the right length of wrap you can carry your bundle of joy in many ways from day one until toddlerhood.

A baby wrap has none of the buckles and rings that can be uncomfortable after long periods of carrying the baby.  It is easy on your shoulders and back and the wide swath of cloth on your shoulders secures the child’s weight.  Wrapped around your torso, their weight is distributed evenly over your hips, making it easier on your back. The long length of cloth gives you a sense of security because you wrap it around your torso and shoulders and tie it to secure its hold on the baby.

Bonding with your baby is one of the tenets of Attachment Parenting and the first step to help your child become well-adjusted. Because she is always with a mobile parent, your child’s primal need to survive is met and she learns to socialize much younger.  Since she is carried all the time in an upright position, the baby’s head will not be at risk of the flattening deformation that can occur with infants who spend a lot of time laying down flat or in a carseat, bouncy chair or stroller.

A baby wrap does not work only for your child’s benefit.  It gives you and your partner more flexibility when caring for your baby and strengthens the bond between you and your child.

If you have a fussy child, you’re probably also exhausted or overwhelmed with constantly trying to please your little one.  You’ve tried everything… the diaper is clean, the tummy is full, the nap was on time, and yet this little person is still irritable… it can be so frustrating.

In my experience there are two things that almost always work.  First, if your child is still a baby, put them into a baby carrier and go about your business.  Something about being so snugly supported and so close to mom, just seems to work wonders.  Let’s face it, your arm strength will only hold out so long before you need to shift him around or put him down.  Babywearing allows them to feel snug and secure and you can wear them for a long time with your hands free to do other things.  Many toddlers love this too.

The second method is going outside.  Just stepping out onto your balcony or front porch to get some fresh air works miracles for fussy kids… and weary parents too!  Of course, you may notice the fussing start up again as soon as you go inside.  In which case, why not put your child in a baby carrier or take him by the hand and go for a walk?  Studies have shown that getting out in nature improves your (and your child’s) emotional wellbeing.

You’ll likely notice that you both feel more relaxed almost immediately.  You’re mind will stop jumping from thought to thought.  Instead of thinking about that project that’s due or that bill you have to pay, or how to stop the baby from fussing, you’ll notice the rabbit sitting in the grass or the strange bird chirping in the tree.  You’ll notice the colors of the leaves on the trees and feel the sunshine on your shoulders or the wind in your hair.  In short, your mind clears and you begin to focus on the present moment.

The same thing happens for children.  Nature walks tend to generate curiosity and a sense of exploration in children.  They wonder what that funny orange moss was or what animal could have made that strange sound. This sense of wonder and curiosity helps them feel a part of something bigger than themselves.  In effect it changes their focus from internal to external and often results in happier kids.

If your children are older, then chances are they’re living extraordinarily busy lives.  Nature walks will help them concentrate and focus on the present. In fact studies have shown that nature walks for children with attention deficit issues were just as effective if not more so than medication to improve their concentration. Get your children interested by pointing out interesting features and encourage them to show you what interests them.

Many physicians and counselors actually prescribe “nature walk therapy” for adults and children to treat depression, stress, high blood pressure and to boost mood.  So it follows that a distressed baby would also be soothed by being in nature.  Nature walks work because nature is a proven method to improve mood and reduce aggression.  Some scientists theorize that sunlight has a chemical effect on mood.

In addition to helping children focus, giving them more self-confidence and boosting their mood, taking a nature walk with your children helps foster the bond between you.  It creates fond memories, lets your child know that you enjoy quiet time with them in nature and gives them an overall appreciation for life.

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.

Well, it has happened.  My baby has started preschool.  It’s hard to believe that we’ve reached that milestone already.

In the last several months I’ve been busy working at home and to be completely honest, I’ve been looking forward to the few hours of freedom a couple days a week to get stuff done.  So when I was telling my mother-in-law that I was taking my son to his first day of school and she said, “don’t cry,” I replied, “I’ll be jumping for joy!”

Well, as you may have guessed, there was no jumping… and there was crying.  My son was the first to shed the dreaded alligator tears.  I’m not sure if that’s what did me in or not, but before I made it back to the car, my eyes were welling up and then the floodgates opened.  My husband was very supportive (even as he suppressed a snicker).  It’s just that this is his first step outside of our little world – our family.  And it hit me that he’s already venturing out and away from me… already!  Whoa!  I guess I wasn’t as prepared as I thought.

Fast forward to day 4 of preschool.  My son still has not quite adjusted to me leaving him there, but I have faith that he is going to blossom and will soon be waving goodbye with nary a backward glance.  In the meantime, I’m thankful that at least I’ve overcome my own tears.  I’m waiting for the sense of freedom to kick in… the solitude still feels strange.

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.