Babywearing Information

Humans have been wearing their babies throughout history. The concept of carrying babies is as old as humanity and is still very much practiced around the world. And, luckily for mummies and babies, it is also on the increase in UK.

Why carry your baby - or babywear as it is now called?

· It is important for babies!
Human babies are the most immature of all mammals at birth. Based on the rate of brain growth in human infants and the size of the average adult brain, It is estimated that human babies are born at least three months early compared to other mammals. They need to complete their gestation on or near their mother. When babies are held close to mother, preferably skin-to-skin, their heartbeat and temperature remain much more stable. Mother's arms and chest continue the task of the uterus: delivering the warmth, offering safety and stability, nurturing with the milk from her breasts. Babies were born to be breastfed and carried.

By babywearing the transition from the womb is much easier. I have often spoken to mums who felt that they need to 'hold' their babies 'all the time' and can not do the simplest of tasks any more, such as making themselves a sandwich.

It is a big shock and a big transition becoming a parent and being responsible for a tiny little baby, whose well-being and survival completely depends on you. What a responsibility! And they cry if they are put down, you cannot do any task with the little one either feeding or sleeping contentedly only in your arms. While it is a hard and intense task, it is also supposed to be this way and it always was.

In times past - and still today in more traditional societies - mothers did not question or even think of these needs of a baby's as something unusual. They were natural and mothers met them before crying even started by simply carrying their baby with them wherever they went. Using a type of a baby carrier enabled them to keep their baby close, feeding him freely and still having hands free to do some chores and look after older siblings. There was little need for a baby to express his needs with a cry. Babywearing and breastfeeding helped mothers to recognize their babies' needs and ways that babies were expressing them. Rooting for a breast is a sure sign that baby needs a feed. And if baby is right there on the mummy then she can respond to this need immediately and effectively. No need to cry! Crying is a late cue that the baby is hungry. These practises are the most natural and effective way of recognising and satisfying the needs of the baby.

It can sound a lot when you think that you have to hold your baby what feels constantly for example 8, 10 or 12 hours a day. But from a newborn's point of view this is an instant - 66%, 58% or 50% respectively- decrease of what he is used to from when he was still in the womb. Babywearing can make this transition easier for your baby and for you - he is still near you and you are still near him - both learning about each other and recognizing non-verbal communication between you. Caring for an infant can become easier.

If you carry your baby you may be surprised to find out that:
· Your baby cries less. Research has shown that babies who are carried for at least three hours more than usually (ie. in addition to holding for feeding, changing, etc.) cry on average 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours when the increased fussy periods are most common (1). In cultures where babies are carried almost continuously, babies cry much less than those in non-carrying cultures (2-6).
· Baby is calm
· Baby sleeps peacefully
· They breastfeed well and gain weight well
· Their digestion is great, they bring winds up easier. The continuing motion that is associated with carrying the baby as well as connected frequent feeds can help with better digestion. It can be of benefit to babies with reflux as babies who are carried spit less. Upright positions in carriers can help keep the acid to stay down. Wraps such as Mama Kangaroo or Ellaroo wrap are really great with upright position for small babies. Frequent feeds, associated with babywearing, also help with good weight gain and with establishing a good milk supply.
· Babies learn more because they spend more time in a quiet state of alertness.
· Babies are more organized; parental rhythms (walking, heartbeat, etc.) have balancing and soothing effects on infants.
· Babies socialize earlier; babies are closer to people and can study facial expressions, learn languages faster and be familiar with body language.
· Babywearing can also help promote proper hip development (when a proper carrier is used)
· It can be especially beneficial to premature babies, facilitating so called Kangaroo Care.

And from a parent's point of view:
· It is just something warm, rewarding and fulfilling to carry your baby with you
· It helps you meet your baby's needs as they arise
· It can help with breastfeeding and your milk supply
· It helps with bonding, also for dads!
· It allows you to go about your daily tasks while baby sleeps happily in the baby carrier or sling
· You have free hands to look after older children
· You do not have to navigate big strollers through shop doors and alleys, trying to buy grocery without a shopping trolley as you are already pushing a stroller
· Easy to travel with
· Baby carrier or a sling take much less storage space
· And much cheaper than stroller as well
· They come in different styles, materials and colours - they can also be quite a fashion statement.

Give it a try! You may find that it changes the way you parent your baby as well!

It is important that you choose a baby carrier that is right for you and your baby. Please, read our page on the Type of Carriers and also our FAQ to learn more so you can make an informed choice. If you have further questions, please send us an email. And when you are happy with your decision, visit our shop.

1. Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.
2. Barr, R. G. (1990). The Early Crying Paradox: A Modest Proposal. Human Nature, 1, 355-389.
3. LeVine, R.A., LeVine, S., Dixon, S., Richman, A., Leiderman, P.H., Keefer, C. and Brazelton, T.B. (1994). Child Care and Culture: Lessons from Africa. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
4. Barr, R. G., Konner, M., Bakeman, R. and Adamson, L. (1991). Crying in !Kung San infants: a test of the cultural specificity hypothesis. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 33, 601-10.
5. Brazelton, T. B., Robey, J. S., Collier, G. A. (1969). Infant development in the Zintandeco Indians of Southern Mexico. Pediatrics, 44, 274-290.
6. Lee, K. (1994). The crying pattern of Korean infants and related factors. Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology, 36, 601-7.

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