Babywearing: What It Is And What It Is For

The “babywearing” (“carrying the children on”) is a term in common use, which refers to the use of swaddling or other supports that allow, in fact, to transport our baby, offering the advantage of leaving your baby free hands.

It is a system widely used in many cultures; in South America, above all, the natives carry their babies tied to their bodies with long strips of cloth that offer secure support. Your hands remain free, so you can do housework or pick fruits and vegetables.

However, it is not a practice adopted exclusively by indigenous communities:  for many years, in fact, we too have considered babywearing an extremely useful and, above all, healthy tool, because it guarantees the spine considerable freedom of movement.

You should also know that  there are numerous ergonomic models of baby carriers: rigid, elastic, ring bands, mei tai, baby carriers… Therefore, it is recommended that the family choose the one that best suits their needs.

The benefits for the child

The web page of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics lists the benefits of babywearing: these include increased physical contact with the parent, which, in turn, improves the child’s safety and strengthens their bond.

Another very important element is the fact that babywearing helps reduce crying. In addition, it improves the protection of the baby, because parents learn to recognize the baby’s signals earlier and can therefore deal with them promptly.

It is a series of benefits that reinforce each other through the satisfaction of the baby, improving their development and creating independent and secure adults. The quality of sleep also benefits: a calm and secure baby sleeps longer and more easily.

These advantages also include a greater physical well-being of the baby, for which the regulation of the temperature improves, the consumption of oxygen and breathing are optimized, the gastroesophageal reflux is reduced and the expulsion of gas and feces is facilitated.

Babywearing improves balance development, reduces stress, optimizes defenses and promotes greater pain tolerance.

“What if he gets too used to it?” You ask. The Spanish Association of Pediatrics guarantees that babies have a continuous need for contact. “The baby sling helps to meet this need by facilitating the parent’s daily activities. A satisfied child gradually gains confidence and autonomy, and will need less and less physical contact. Babies don’t get used to their arms: they need them! ”.

Among the many advantages, moreover, babywearing promotes breastfeeding and stimulates the production of breast milk, promoting breastfeeding on demand.

Other benefits of babywearing:

• Prevents postural plagiocephaly or head deformation.
• Protects the development of the back. Improves muscle tone and physiological curvature of the back.
• It protects the development of the hips and prevents dysplasia.
• In premature babies, the kangaroo mom method improves physical, emotional and intellectual development.

The benefits for you

We have already mentioned the benefits of keeping your hands free while caring for the baby. Let’s not talk about the moments of tenderness offered by the practice of babywearing: you will realize how your child, brought in this way, adopts certain habits.

It is a very nice experience, because your baby caresses you, plays, snuggles, kisses you, while you, in the meantime, can hang out your clothes, talk on the phone, wash the dishes … Imagine the benefits of having hands free, with a consequent increase in autonomy and mobility.

Furthermore, with the baby sling you can avoid architectural barriers (construction sites, stairs, public transport …). Going to the market will also be much easier, for both you and your other half.

According to the indications of the Spanish Association of Pediatrics, babywearing reduces the risk of postpartum depression and promotes your self-esteem : since babies cry less and sleep better, you too feel safer.

Then there is another element: babywearing helps postural hygiene. The use of ergonomic baby carriers does not adversely affect the adult’s back. On the contrary: used correctly, it protects and promotes the muscles of your back.

Remember that, to use this system, you need to know some basic safety rules. It is very important to always leave the baby’s face free and avoid that the neck is reclined; the baby sling should absolutely not be worn on board vehicles, if there is a risk of falling or if we are close to very hot liquids.