It’s You and Me Baby

Baby slings are great for dads, grandparents, and other caregivers.  Typically everyone wants to get their hands on a baby.  If a baby is breast-fed then a big part of caregiving is being done by mom.  It’s important for others to care for baby and build an attachment of their own.  This is especially true for dad who doesn’t get the automatic headstart on bonding that comes with being pregnant.  Holding and caring for your baby this way also gives mother a break.  Wearing a baby in fabric baby sling, pouch, or carrier helps your baby become used to your voice, heartbeat, movements, and facial expressions.  Cuddling your baby in a sling is a wonderful way to get to know your baby and for baby to get to know you.

All mothers know that most infants spend about 65% of the day asleep (well, if you’re lucky!).  But sometimes it can seem like infants wake up and start fussing at the most inopportune times.  When traveling or in transit, it can be a real hassle to have a fussy infant with you.  For this reason, cuddle wraps are the ideal baby carriers for infants from a couple days old to several months.  The cuddle wrap is designed to support the infant and provide them with a comfortable place to rest.  Most infants can’t resist falling asleep in a cuddle wrap, and mothers who own cuddle wraps often find that their infants tend to sleep more soundly and wake up less frequently. 

You’ll be amazed at all the time you can save by wearing a cuddle wrap to support your infant.  Instead of tending to your infant because they are uncomfortable or not warm enough, you can have your hands free to take care of all those everyday tasks.  In addition, you’ll find it much easier to cuddle with your infant when you do have the time! 

Wearing your baby in a fabric baby sling, wrap, or pouch increases bonding.  Bonding doesn’t take place in one magical moment but rather is a process of building a strong, loving, secure parent-child relationship.  In the beginning this takes place by meeting your baby’s needs and one way to meet a baby’s needs for connectedness is by holding him or her a lot.  Babywearing makes it easy and enjoyable.

Babies worn is slings are more content.  Studies show that the more time babies are being held, the less time they spend crying.  In many cultures babywearing (i.e. wearing your baby in a fabric baby sling) is the norm.  Babies who are worn cry for only a few minutes a day versus babies in Western culture where the “normal” amount of crying is measured in hours.  Crying is exhausting for both parents and babies.  It may be damaging to the baby’s developing brain which is getting flooded with stress hormones during crying.  Babies who are content can spend their energy calmly observing and learning about everything around them.  Therefore, babywearing is especially useful for colicky or high-needs babies who are much happier when they are worn.  However, even more content babies benefit from the bonding opportunity that babywearing offers.

Wearing your baby in a fabric baby sling, pouch or especially the asian-type back carrier called a mei tai is not new.  It has gained popularity  recently but is a practice that has gone on for ages.  Over the last half-century many baby-holding gadgets have come along but most separate parent from child like swings, bouncy seats and strollers.  There are many benefits to holding your baby.  It helps babies feel safe and secure.  Babies are better able to regulate their body temperature, breathing and heart rate because they become syncronized with their caregiver.  They cry less and they release less stress hormones.  Babies need to be held and wearing your baby gives the baby all the benefits while being convenient and ergonomic for the parent.

 Babies are born to bond.  Scientists are realizing that warm, responsive early care from parents and other caregivers helps infants thrive.  Bonding or attachment is one of the most important factors in development.  If a child feels secure that his physical and emotional needs will be met then he can use his energy to work on other areas of brain development.  A wonderful book about all of this is called Bright from the Start, by Jill Stamm.  She writes, “What sounds simply warm and fuzzy creates demonstrable changes in the brain and nervous system.  Emotion affects attention. . .and attention, in turn affects learning.  How secure a baby feels therefore influences all the development that follows.”  Bonding is not one event.  It is an ongoing experience of attachment that occurs over time.  A simple thing like responding to a baby’s needs actually helps the bonding process.  One way to facilitate this process isn’t really talked about by many.  It’s referred to as babywearing–wearing your baby in a fabric baby sling, wrap or pouch.  Baby slings aren’t sold in many baby stores which is probably why it seems like a well-kept secret.  It’s a wonderful way to bond with your baby, is comfortable and quite convenient. 

Let’s face it, some baby carriers can be quite uncomfortable with all the chafing, back strain, and poor weight distribution.  Carrying your baby should be enjoyable and shouldn’t limit your movement, which is why an ergonomic baby sling is the best choice.  An ergo baby sling is quite comfortable, and offers your infant the support they need while preventing chafing and strain to your shoulders and back.  Ergo baby slings have been around for centuries, and are modern versions of the simple fabric slings mothers used to carry their babies in the ancient world.  An ergo baby sling is the ideal baby carrier for mothers whether making dinner, shopping, or just visiting friends.  In addition, you can sit down with your ergo baby sling and not have to worry about you or your baby being uncomfortable (a real problem with some baby carriers). 

You can find ergo baby slings at most retailers of infant products, but it’s a good idea to ensure that the sling bears a specific description of being ‘ergonomic’.  This indicates that the sling was designed for maximum function and comfort. 

I don’t think there is a greater joy or feeling of fulfillment for a mom or dad than to cuddle and hold his or her baby closely.  When babies are very young they want to be held alot–some want to be held all the time.  You can’t spoil a baby by holding him or her.  If you want to facilitate the bond with your baby consider wearing him or her in a baby sling, pouch or wrap.  It’s a trend referred to as babywearing and the benefits to child and cargiver are tremendous.

 Responding to your baby and holding him or her is a natural feeling.  That’s why wearing your baby in a fabric baby carrier, sling or pouch is such a natural way to respond to and bond with your baby.  It’s great for moms who breastfeed because they can pick up on their children’s cues for wanting to nurse.  They can cover the baby easily so nursing is discrete.  Wearing and carrying your baby is great for mom’s who were either unable to nurse or preferred not to.  It definitely adds to the closeness and bonding of parent and baby.  It’s also great for dads who also need to feel close to their babies.  So grab a sling and get going. 

At birth a baby is already accustomed to a parent’s rhythms and sounds and knows a parent’s scent.  By wearing your child in a fabric baby sling, carrier or wrap you are spending time in close contact.  This helps a child feel secure–maintaining the familiar rhythms, sounds, and scents that a baby is already in tune with.  It also provides the familiar motion that resembles what it was like in the womb.  It’s called babywearing and provides a wonderful opportunity to bond with your baby while meeting their needs.  It’s a win-win situation.