10 Benefits of babywearing

Babywearing is all about carrying your baby close to you in a sling or baby carrier and has been practiced for centuries around the world.

It’s a great way for parents to bond with their baby and can be used for many different reasons and in all kinds of situations.
 

10 Benefits of babywearing

Find out more about some of the benefits of babywearing for both you and your baby.
 

1. Babywearing & breastfeeding

 

• Breastfeeding is convenient and private in a baby carrier. You have your own private feeding room right with you.

 

• You can recognise and respond to your baby's hunger cues quickly which in turn means less fussing.

 

• When you're wearing your baby close, they tend to like feeding more often, which is good for mum's milk supply.

2. Babywearing & calmer babies

 

• Babies worn in slings are generally calmer and spend more time in a state of 'quiet alertness'.

 

• Instead of being put in a rocker or something similar, sling babies get to passively participate in the world around them.

 

• When wearing your baby, they get to do what mum does and see what mum sees from the safety and comfort of their little nest.

 

• Babies can also choose to retreat back when it gets a bit much or look out if they want. They are able to select what they want to look at and not become over stimulated.

 

• When your baby is relaxed and happy you can be too, which makes the adjustment to new parenting a whole lot easier.

3. Babywearing & digestion

 

• Babies in slings or sling pouches tend to have have better digestion aided by the gentle tummy pressure that slings offer.

 

• Babywearing helps keep your baby upright which in turn helps the milk and stomach acid stay down, and trapped gas from coming up.

 
 

4. Babywearing & happy babies

 

• Your baby is just happy to be close to you.

 

• Research shows that sling babies often become more independent later on than non-carried babies, because they are so secure and confident.

 

• Wearing your baby close in a sling helps you bond with your little ones.

 

• It takes the pressure off having to actively entertain your baby, as your baby is quite happy doing your activities with you.

 

5. Babywearing & kangaroo care

 

• Kangaroo care (when your baby is skin-to-skin on your bare chest) is extremely beneficial for premature babies, and is proven to help in their development and increase their survival chances.

 

• For all babies, babywearing helps them to get over the initial 'shock' of being born into a noisy cold world.

 

• Using a baby sling helps to recreate the womb environment, which is extremely comforting for your baby.

 

• They can hear your heartbeat and feel your warmth and move with your body - just as they used to do in the womb.

6. Babywearing & less crying

 

• Sling-babies are documented to cry up to 50% less on average than non-carried babies.

 

• In countries where babies are worn in slings, their babies rarely cry because their needs are already met.

 
 

7. Babywearing & motion

 

• Babies' biological need for body contact and motion is met when they are carried in a sling.

 

• Babies love motion, their brains benefit from it as well as their bodies.

 

8. Babywearing & napping

 

• Sling-babies can nap anywhere!

 

• Sling babies are really convenient - so when you're babywearing, there's no need to worry about access for the pram, or somewhere for your baby to sleep when you're on holiday. Slings just take that stress away.

9. Babywearing & parenting tools

 

• Slings are a great parenting tool. You can have your baby quiet and content, and still do your chores/shopping etc.

 

• Baby carriers are a great solution to the ‘witching hour’ - you can go about your activities and keep your baby happy simultaneously.

10. Babywearing & weight loss

 

• Wearing your baby can burn up to around 300 extra calories a day!

 

• Wearing your baby in a sling provides as much 'resistance' (or more) as a pair of hand weights.

 

• So pop your baby on and go for a walk, you will both benefit.

 

More baby articles to enjoy

• Getting the best out of your pouch sling
• Is it time to ditch the buggy?
• Swaddling techniques

Source: This article was kindly written for us by Bellaroo - unique, quality products for mumma, baby and child.
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