About Wearing your baby

Benefits of Wearing your Baby
Carried babies cry less—

Research has shown that babies that are carried, on average, cry 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours.

Carried babies learn more—

Sling babies spend more time in the quiet alert state, this is the state where babies learn about their world.

Carrying your baby helps you to reconnect—

after a long day of work or activities, while still getting your evening tasks completed.

Carried babies are emotionally healthier—

they are more likely to trust and be attached to their caregivers, and they often become independent at an earlier

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5 Reasons to Wear Your Baby

Wearing your baby is convenient.

When you wear your baby, you are free to move without having to negotiate a stroller or carry a heavy car seat. Slings also serve as blankets, cushions, and as clothing!
Baby carriers allow for discreet breastfeeding on the go.

This makes breastfeeding easier for you and allows you to stay out of the house for more than 1.5 hours at a time with your newborn.
Wearing a baby is better for your body.

Carriers distribute weight across your body, making it much more comfortable than a baby in your arms. Plus, most carriers can be used for up to 35-40 lbs!
Wearing your baby helps to soothe fussiness, colic, and reflux.

Some babies want to constantly be on the move, some spit up if not in an upright position, and some want to be held constantly. By using a carrier, you can meet all of these needs with ease and comfort.
Babywearing promotes bonding.

Wearing a baby fosters trust and attachment. A baby’s needs that are met promptly now will be more secure later. Also, since anyone can wear your baby, you can share the bonding experience!
Babywearing is good exercise.

Most new parents have a hard time finding time to exercise. Wearing your baby while walking adds additional weight and usually results in a nap for the baby!

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Keys to baby wearing success:
1. Be sure baby is well-rested and well-fed before trying to use a new carrier.

2. Practice with a stuffed animal or baby doll before putting your child into a new carrier so you are comfortable with how to use it.

3. Once your baby is in the carrier, start moving. Go for a walk, talk to the baby, pat them on their back and reassure them that being in a carrier is a good thing.

4. Try to find other experienced baby wearers to help trouble shoot with you if you feel the carrier isn’t working for you.

5. Try different carries before giving up. When I first got a sling, I tried a cradle carry with my son and he hated it. I almost gave up, but someone showed me a kangaroo carry, which my son loved. Babies prefer different positions, so keep trying until you find what works for you and your child.

6. Wearing your baby shouldn’t cause discomfort. If you aren’t comfortable, seek assistance. Remember, baby wearing should be a fun and comfortable way to carry your baby.

7. Although your baby may look uncomfortable to you, babies love to be scrunched up. It reminds them of being in the womb. If your baby is uncomfortable, they will let you know!

8. Always use common sense when baby wearing. If you wouldn’t perform an activity while holding your baby, don’t do so while wearing your baby.

Baby Carrier Safety

Below you will find some general tips for safe use any baby carrier, baby sling, baby wrap, mei tai or other carrier. Please always refer to the instructions provided with your baby carrier for proper use of that particular carrier.

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1. When putting your baby in the carrier, be sure you are standing in a safe place. Use the same common sense about choosing a place to tie on your baby as you would about choosing a place to stop to tie your shoes. For example, you would not stop in the middle of a busy walkway or parking lot to bend over and tie your shoes. Do not tie your baby carrier there, either.

2. Be sure there are not straps or other parts of your carrier that dangle lower than your bottom. Tuck them in. Loose ends can cause you to trip. Dangling cloth, whether from a baby carrier or from a blouse, could catch on fire while you cook. Use common sense!

3. Be careful not to bump baby's head on anything. It is possible to bump baby's head whether using a sling or carrying baby in your arms. Be especially careful of doorways when carrying baby on your hip or back.

4. Trust your instincts. If you feel that the baby is not secure, try again. Read the instructions again. If you can't figure out what you are doing wrong, check out online resources or get help from an experienced babywearer.

5. Have another adult help you when learning a new carry position or using a new carrier. Have your helper double check your work to be sure you followed the instructions correctly. Have your helper inspect the carrier to see if there is any way for the baby to slip.

6. Practice each new carrying position with a doll or teddy bear until you are really good at it. Only then should you try it with your child. And even then, if it's a back carry, go ahead and kneel on a soft surface. And check your work when you're done. And have another adult help you the first few times.

7. If you have a newborn (especially a preemie), check the baby’s chin and ensure it isn't touching his/her chest as this can cut off air supply. Generally a baby will tell you if s/he are uncomfortable, but this isn't always the case so be sure to visually check on your baby periodically.

8. Do not cover the baby's head with any cloth that shouldn't be used to cover a baby's head.

9. Use Common Sense. This list does not, and cannot possibly include warnings about all the possible silly things a person might absent-mindedly do!