It is a beautiful feeling having your newborn snuggled up close, calm and safe in your carrier. But what if I were to tell you that there is more to carrying your baby than the sweet smelling, warm and comfortable indulgence for both baby and parent. Babywearing has huge benefits for the parents and the baby, in areas of convenience, feeding, sleep, bonding, and physical, mental, and emotional health. The article below outlines these benefits showing how babywearing has a profound positive effect on the total well-being of baby and parent.
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The Benefits of Babywearing in the first 365 days. Hands Free. 1 baby + 1 carrier = 2 hands. Using a baby carrier gives you you hands back…and so can help make early parenthood more manageable!. With a new baby you have less time but more things to get done a baby carrier helps. Baby who re routinely carried less – generally newborns will cry more in the first six weeks of life. Closeness coupled with movement has shown to be most effective in reducing fussing and inducing calmness in little ones. Carrying you baby results in 43% less crying, and 54% less crying during the evening hours and less crying and fussing. Feeding – Mums who routinly use a baby carrier are twice as likely to successfully breast feed. 50% of all babies will experience some reflux in the first 12 weeks – upright in a good carrier after a feed can help ease the discomfort of reflux. Sleep – 75% of the SIDS deaths occur while babies are alone in a room. Keeping your baby close and in view while sleeping can reduce the risk of SIDS and increase you peace of mind. Carrying is good for the babies physical and mental development. Positive health – Carrying improved your babies core muscles and posture. Using a good carrier is safer and easier on your back than simply carrying in your arm. 70% of parents of children under two suffer back pain. Do you know – Crying – Babies who are carried tend to be calmer and cry and fuss less. Generally newborns will cry more in the first 6 weeks of life. Periods of unexplained and inconsolable crying or ‘colic’ as it is know as can be both extremely worrying and stressful for new parents especially at night. The closeness coupled with movement has shown to be most effective in reducing fussing and calmness in little ones. Hands free – Using a carrier gives you back your hands. In those formative first weeks a parent has more to do than ever before and less time to do it in! Using a baby carrier is a very practical solution for both parent and baby; you can regain control over your day and use of both hands while keeping your little on in view, happy and safe it’s a win win. Feeding mums who routinely use a baby carrier may be more likely to successfully breastfeed. Closer contact can help you pick up on babies important feeding cues it may also help with maintaining prolactin and oxytocin levels important for the production and release of milk. Routine carrying in the first month has also be assoicated with increased breastfeeding duration. Many carriers can also help mum breastfeed discreetly when out and about. Reflux – 30-40 minutes upright in a good carrier after a feed can help ease the discomfort of reflux. Reflux is the word used to describe what happens when the stomach contents – food (milk) and acid – come back up into the mouth. Popping baby into an upright carrier is a practical solution for parents of a little one suffering from reflux and is often recommended by health professionals. Sleep – Using a sling or baby carrier for daytime sleeps is a practical way for parents to keep their baby close and maintain visual contact during sleeps. Close contact and movement helps newborns to be calmer, sleep more soundly and for longer periods.Positive health – Carrying isn’t just for indoors, having a comfortable supportive carrier provides you with the freedom to get out share some scenery and fresh air! short walks daily are great post natal exercises and can really help you tone and regain fitness gradually, or why not try some genital yoga with baby? The closeness and freedom of carrying has also bene shown to help mums suffering post natal depression. Development and Bonding – Carrying your new born from day one is a very natural extension of kangaroo care or skin to skin contact and shares many of the emotional and developmental benefits. Routine carrying in the first year can help with social and physical development and strengthen parental bonding.
