It’s You and Me Baby

Baby slings are so popular with mothers who breastfeed that they are often referred to as nursing slings.  It makes sense that babywearing–carrying your baby in a fabric baby sling or wrap–goes hand and hand with breastfeeding because babies want to be attached to their mothers.  When they aren’t nursing they are held close by mom in a sling and can smell her scent and feel the rhythm of her breathing and heart rate.  If you either chose not to breastfeed or breastfeeding didn’t work out then wearing your baby in a sling can help you bond with your baby and get that added closeness that you may be missing out on by not breastfeeding.  The good thing about babywearing is that you can succeed at it no matter how your baby is being fed.

As a parent of a newborn, you become part of a whole new world. Newborns need and deserve our full attention. They are new to the world and only understand it through your eyes and love. Newborns are fragile and vulnerable, and patience and gentle care is required of parents and all caretakers of newborns. When I had my first child, I was scared about letting other people hold her, so I purchased an ergonomic sling for them to use when carrying her.

Share with others the need to be respectful of, and patient with, your newborn. Call upon others, such as family members and friends, to help you with your infant in order to be able to take care of yourself. Sleep when your baby sleeps, and eat regularly-you will need your strength to care for your infant.

How would you ever be able to push a stroller on the terrain in this picture?  Well, wearing your baby makes perfect sense in this scenario but it also makes sense in so many situations and ways. Babies like to be held so wearing them in baby sling carriers keeps them content.  By using a sling or wrap baby’s weight is distributed throughout your upper body which takes the strain and fatigue off one arm or side.  Babies can easily fall asleep which allows you to go about your activities without disturbing them.  Baby slings are also easily transported and stored.  Loading and unloading strollers just adds to the demands on your body.  It makes sense that a high-quality baby sling is essential baby gear.

The days with your baby may seem long now and you’re exhausted by the end of the day.  There is one solution that has many benefits for you and your baby.  So since your child won’t be a baby for long try wearing your baby before it’s too late and they are grown.

Research has proven the many benefits of babywearing. Babies cry up to 40-50% less when held.

They often nurse better (sometimes baby slings are referred to as nursing slings), and gain weight better. Being held enables mom or other caregiver to notice their baby’s feeding cues earlier, before crying starts, as crying is a late cue for hunger in babies. And if you are able to start a feed before the baby is crying frantically usually the feeding goes better.

Babies who are often called colicky or fussy often do better if the time they are carried is increased. The rocking motion and the tight swaddle effect of some carriers is just what they like.

Dads and other caregivers can also enjoy bonding with baby through holding and providing comfort to baby.  This can be done with a baby sling.

Wearing your baby keeps them safe. Since they are held in your personal space strangers are less likely to touch baby and this can be great during cold and flu season and to prevent the spreading germs.

Certainly if you are breastfeeding your child you know that he or she wants to be near you and next to you alot.  Well, wearing your baby in a baby sling carrier or nursing sling is a great adjunct to breastfeeding.  While being worn in a sling your baby will have the benefit of feeling your warmth and the rhythm of your breathing and heart rate.  These are very soothing to a baby.  Your baby also knows your scent.  Being carried this way results in an more content baby.  Studies have shown that babies who are held more cry less.  There are physiologic and emotional benefits.  Babies who cry less have lower levels of stress hormones circulating in their bodies.  This is better for weight gain and development.  In addition, babies who cry less feel more safe and secure which helps with attachment to their caregivers.

Holding your baby is a wonderful feeling and babies love it.  However, using just one arm to do it certainly can start to feel like it’s weighing you down.  Well, don’t miss out on all the holding possible.  When you wear your baby in a comfortable sling-type baby carrier like a ring sling or other fabric baby carrier you end up making the weight of the child seem lighter by distributing the weight across your back, shoulders and whole body.

If you’re about to become a new parent, you may think you don’t need a baby sling or another device to make carrying easy. You may think, “It’s just a ten-pound baby - how heavy can it be?” Think again! Carrying even the smallest baby for a long period of time is exhausting, and your arms will feel like they’re going to fall off after a while.

Plus, you’ll need to be able to use your arms to do household chores, prepare bottles, go grocery shopping and more. Your baby will also be calmer if he is warm and snuggly against your body, rather than apart from you in a stroller. Different parents will prefer different infant slings and carrying devices, so it’s a good idea to try a few to find the best fit. Baby slings come in many different sizes, so they can grow right along with your baby!

 For both beginner and veteran babywearers you’re doing a great thing by carrying your child in this very special way.  Fortunately there are many great baby wrap carriers and baby slings to choose from.  Wrapping and carrying your baby this way creates a wonderful bond between you and your child.  It makes carrying a joy with something to be gained by you–comfort, convenience and closeness–and by your baby–closeness, contentedness and security.  You won’t see a baby worn like this crying.  There is a small window of time to take advantage of this special way of parenting.  Take advantage of it. 

Non-specific crying during the first few months of life can make parents feel insecure.  When parents cannot find any reason for the crying and because it becomes worse each week, they assume naturally that they are doing something wrong in caring for their children.

In societies where infants are in close physical contact with their mothers and other close adults, there is less non-specific crying.  Human infants have been carried around by mother throughout the whole of human history.  So we must seriously ask ourselves whether children are able to manage in the first few months of their lives without constant physical contact with their mothers and other familiar adults.  That’s why the use of baby slings has become so popular and so important.

 Most parents respond to their baby and hold him or her when needed–when baby is crying or fussing.  We advocate holding your baby or wearing your baby as a form of bonding.  There is even a term that refers to it.  It’s call babywearing.  This refers to wearing your baby in some form of baby sling or baby wrap carrier.  It’s strongly encouraged by those who embrace the attachment parenting approach to childrearing.  It has many advantages especially when it comes to bonding.  Babies feel very secure and learn to trust that their need will be met.