Wear your baby!

by Réka Morvay on December 21, 2023

The advantages of babywearing

Snug as a bug

When babies emerge from the womb after nine months of inhabiting your body, their natural inclination is not for lying in crib by themselves, to be picked up at regular intervals in order to be fed and changed, and having to resort to crying to have their needs met, or even worse, having even their crying ignored in the name of order.

Babies’ inclination out of the womb is to remain as close to their familiar environment – your body – as possible. Your body was their home for nine months, and they continue to crave – and need, for proper emotional development – its feel, smell, taste and sounds.

Human babies at birth are singularly immature compared to other mammalian species. Just think of the baby antelope or horse or cow that stands up within minutes after birth and is running around within the first hour! Or the monkey newborn, which is said to possess the equivalent skills of a 2-year-old human at birth.

There is a theory out there that basically because of our large brain size (larger heads than our closest primate relatives in proportion to body size) and our ability to walk (narrower pelvis to accommodate an upright posture), humans have had to adapt by bringing our young into the world while they’re still small enough to fit those large heads through our narrow pelvic opening.

In other words, human babies are born premature.

They could really use a few more months in the womb before they look ready to „be here.” One thing you can do to help your baby ease this transition into the world is by wearing him or her close to your body in a sling.

Babies who are held in close physical contact (such as being worn in a sling) cry less and develop more optimally than babies who are left to cry.

Babies who are carried – because they cry less – spend more time quietly alert, which is the optimum condition for observing the world and learning.

You can work, too.

The act of touching a baby actually stimulates growth hormones. Babywearing also stimulates a baby’s vestibular system, the parts of the inner ear that work like levels or sensors to control the body’s sense of balance. The stimulation regulates a baby’s physiology, increasing their cardiac output and circulation and promotes respiration.

On the go.

Developmental neurologists have discovered that babies who are carried have stronger muscles and nerves.

Babywearing promotes deeper, longer, more peaceful sleep cycles, which is vital for brain maturation.

Wearing your baby also brings you peace of mind because you feel their every breath with your body (who needs breathing monitors?), you are calmer because baby is calmer, you still have two hands to get things done with, and you are mobile and free to go wherever you wish.

Babies may be carried or worn from the moment they are born, but be aware that your choice of carrier fulfills the following criteria:

- supports baby’s head

- holds baby’s legs widely apart and knees bent at right angles – best for hip development

- supports baby’s back, and snugly surrounds baby’s body

- comfortable for you

Most slings satisfy these criteria, but not all commercial baby carriers do.

Wear your baby!

Let's go explore!

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