Babies need physical contact just as they need food, air, warmth, and shelter.
Babywearing helps parents and other caregivers give babies all the closeness they need, while still having hands free for other tasks.
Babies who are worn…
cry less
are more calm and content
sleep more peacefully
nurse better
gain weight better
enjoy better digestion
and develop better.
….are happy babies.
Babywearing enhances…
parent-baby bonding
breastfeeding
reconnection with working parents and baby
transitions from one caregiver to another
parents ability to meet their baby’s needs while still getting things done!
…babies and families lives.
Babies cry less. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours. In cultures where babies are carried almost continuously, babies cry much less than those in non-carrying cultures.
Good for baby's mental development. Babies spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried (yet there is a place to retreat too). When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people's knees from a stroller. And the extra stimulation benefits brain development.
Good for baby's emotional development. Babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s and often become independent at an earlier age.
Good for baby's physical development. By being so close to your body's rhythms, your newborn "gets in rhythm" much more quickly. Your heartbeat, breathing, voice and warmth are all familiar. Research has shown how this helps newborns (especially premature babies) to adapt to life outside the womb.
Good for babies whose moms are depressed. Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you're there. Carrying your baby is a great way to connect with her (and provide stimulation too) without the "burden" of having to interact. Of course your baby is "right there" to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling, kissing or talking.