by Katie Wilber

Ancient traditions of baby wearing are catching on like gangbusters. Parents are learning that the age old tradition of providing the safety and security a baby needs by being held doesn’t need to interrupt their day or become an inconvenience. In fact baby wearing provides both parents and baby everything they need to develop a strong and secure bond.

A Practical Definition of Baby Wearing

So what exactly is baby wearing? It is exactly what it sounds like – placing your baby in a sling or a carrier and wearing them. The concept of baby wearing is part of the attachment parenting philosophy which believes a strong emotional bond with parents during childhood means better relationships with others in adulthood.

Benefits of Baby Wearing

Babies who are worn cry less. Babies like to be held we know this to be true in our hearts, and its been proven. In 1986, a team of pediatricians in Montreal reported on a study of ninety-nine mother-infant pairs. The study concluded that babies that are worn cry 43% less than non-worn babies.

The world is an open book. Babies who are worn learn more about the world at a younger age. When they feel safe and secure being held close to their parents, they feel more at ease pay attention to the world around them.

Multi-tasking. Baby wearing is the single best way to keep your baby safe and secure in your arms while at the same time being able to take care of all those daily tasks which require both hands.

Safe sleeping position and less risk of misshapen heads. Wearing your baby provides them a safe sleeping position, much like the pediatric association recommended position, which helps prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. However unlike sleeping on their back, the recommended position, sleeping in a baby carrier doesn’t put pressure on the back of their soft heads. The result is a baby who is much less likely to develop that telltale flat spot on the back of their head.

Less risk of postpartum depression. It’s no secret that as hormone levels adjust after the birth of a baby, postpartum depression can be the result. However scientists theorize that a strong bond with a newborn baby, fostered by close contact, can increase the mother’s progesterone levels. As progesterone levels increase, the bond also increases, and postpartum depression can be averted or the effects minimized.

No more awkward breastfeeding in public. Baby carriers and slings make breastfeeding in public a private and quite secure experience. Rather than dealing with the uncomfortable glances from passersby, people won’t even know you’re feeding your baby.

Not all baby wearers are created equal. Make sure the baby carrier or sling you invest in is a safe one which allows for proper support and positioning. Used correctly a baby wearer provides busy parents the ability to both bond with their baby as well as get things done and babies grow up feeling safe and secure.

About the Author:

Get into baby wearing in comfort and style. Kate Marie Wilber is the owner of Barefoot Bella Childrens Boutique, your premium source for baby carriers, slings, girls & boys clothing, accessories, furniture and more. Visit www.BarefootBella.net for the perfect baby sling for you.