Babywearing

Babywearing is a baby-carrying technique that’s been practiced worldwide for centuries. In recent years babywearing has gained popularity once more. Today we are here to talk about babywearing, its benefits, and safe babywearing practices.

Babywearing explained

Babywearing is a carrying technique that enables you to wear a newborn or small child in a baby carrier or wrap, leaving your arms and hands-free.

The history

Babywearing dates back to the beginning of human history as we know it. Baby wearing was a necessity for nomadic peoples and one of the oldest advancements. Historically, baby wearing looked different worldwide, depending on available materials, weather, and cultural traditions.

The benefits

There are many different benefits that families and baby wrappers alike note with babywearing. Below are some of the top benefits reported.

Reduces crying in newborns- Baby wearing has been proven to reduce crying in newborns by up to 54%.
Helps reduce reflux- Infants held or carried in an upright position show fewer signs of reflux.
Helps with cognitive development- Babywearing can make it easier for new parents to talk to and engage with their new baby while completing daily tasks.
Encourages bonding with the birthing parent and family- Skin-to-skin contact is encouraged.
Babywearing makes skin-to-skin contact incredibly easy for family members and parents.

Safe babywearing practices

Now that we have discussed some of the incredible benefits of baby-wearing let’s talk about recommended safe babywearing practices! The TICKS rule for safe babywearing is a great checklist to use to ensure that you are babywearing safely.

T- is for tight. If you have to hold your baby for them to be secure, they are likely not wrapped tight enough.

I- stands for in view. While wearing your infant, it is crucial that they are in direct eyesight of you at all times. This way, you can monitor them.

C- close enough to kiss. Meaning your baby is positioned high enough where you can easily lean down and kiss them.

K- K stands for keep chin off chest. Because infants cannot keep their head up on their own, it is essential to position their head so it is supported and in a proper position.

S- Support baby’s back. It is important that the baby’s back is supported in its natural position without being overly upright or bent.

Different babywearing styles

There are many different ways to wrap and carry your newborn. The three most common are infant slings, baby wraps, and infant carriers.

Infant wraps

There are many infant wraps on the market today. Here are two favorites.

The Moby classic baby wrap- The Moby Classic Baby Wrap is a common favorite amongst many parents. These easy-to-use baby wraps are made with 100% cotton. To learn more and shop, click here.

Boba baby wrap carrier- The Boba Baby Wrap Carrer is another favorite. This wrap’s made with 95% cotton and 5% spandex. To learn more and shop, click here.

Infant carriers

Infant carriers are the easiest to use of the three options and typically only require you to buckle your baby in. Below are two popular infant carriers on the market today:

Ergo Baby- Ergo baby has been one of the top baby carriers for decades; with a high customer satisfaction rate, it’s no secret why. To learn more about the Ergo Baby carriers, visit the website.

Baby K’tan – Baby K’tan has become increasingly popular in recent years. With an effortless slip-on style similar to a tee-shirt, it’s no wonder why! Visit the website to learn more.

Baby sling

Baby slings are another excellent carrier option for newborns and children. As with each carrier, there are many different options on the market today. Here are a few favorites:

Wild Bird- Wild bird offers many different fashion-forward styles for various ages. Wild bird uses thick shoulder straps and has an adjustable sling buckle. This sling is one of the comfiest baby slings for parents and baby wrappers. To shop their different styles, click here.

Baby Tula- Baby Tula has a wide variety of baby carriers and slings. The ring sling offers many carrier positions and soft and breathable fabric. Shop their styles here.

In closing

People have been wearing infants and children as far as history dates. The benefits of babywearing are vast, and many families enjoy the hands-free ability that babywearing offers. Babywearing is loved by many but isn’t for everyone. Like most things in life, there is not a one size fits all answer. While determining if this tool is right for you, it may be beneficial to try out the different styles and wraps.

Thank you for reading this week’s blog, “Baby Wearing.” For more helpful tips and tricks on all things pregnancy, postpartum, and newborn, visit our website’s blog page, where you can view our other weekly articles.