Many parents may not know much about the benefits of babywearing. Did you know that the special bond formed between mother and child is supported by babywearing?
La Leche League International, an organization known for advocating breastfeeding, also supports babywearing and says that “it does good things for babies, and it makes life easier for mother”. So, to summarize it all and to help you with babywearing facts, here are 7 great benefits of babywearing that you need to know.
7 Babywearing Benefits
Mommy and baby connection
A mother that keeps her baby constantly close forms a special connection with her child. They are both enveloped by the carrier that they use and their bodies get familiar with each other's movements. Mothers get to cherish every moment they have with their worn child. This can be very helpful to mommies who are experiencing postpartum depression because babies can reach out to their mothers. They, too, can create physical and emotional connections that will help them both get adjust to the overwhelming new experiences.
Security
Babies are used to the quiet and peaceful environment in the mother's tummy. Then suddenly, they are born into the world, where their senses are stimulated by all that is happening. Being carried in a sling close to the mother’s body mimics the same environment in the womb which babies have gotten used to. The baby is close to the mother and hears her heartbeat and breathing which will make the baby calm and secure. In their first three months of life, babies are still getting used to their new surroundings so being in a carrier can help them slowly adapt to the world.
Less crying and irritability
Carrying babies is proved to lessen bouts of crying. The swaying movement while being in a carrier and the closeness to the mother’s body helps babies calm down and relax. The mother’s constant movement while wearing the baby helps them sleep longer as they are positioned comfortably in the carrier. Additionally, colic babies and those who experience spit-up once in a while are comforted by being in an upright position. Mothers are more in-tune with their baby’s cues when they are worn and be able to attend to them immediately.
Hands-free care
Mothers who wear their babies in a carrier are able to do more chores and tasks throughout the day because they are hands-free. Wearing the baby in the carrier is very convenient and is very helpful for mothers who don’t have companions. They can bring their baby with them and even involve them in washing clothes, cleaning the kitchen, cooking meals, doing the grocery, vacuuming the floor, and a lot more!
Breastfeeding-friendly
Babywearing also benefits breastfeeding because there is more chance for skin-to-skin contact that encourages the production of oxytocin and prolactin levels. These are two important hormones that help establish the breastmilk supply of a mother. Keeping the baby close can help mothers determine early hunger cues and attend to them immediately, minimizing delayed nursing and crying. Babywearing also helps mothers have breastfeeding privacy because they can easily nurse the baby while worn in a public place.
Great exercise
A great way to gently lose maternity weight is by babywearing. Regular walking and chores can already help mothers get back in shape. But mothers can enjoy different activities and have a real workout while the baby is worn. The baby’s weight provides great aerobic exercise and getting fit is just a matter of wearing the baby and getting involved in the mother’s daily activities. Even shopping can be an exercise!
Convenient
Babywearing is very convenient for parents who are always out and about. Although strollers are very helpful, having a carrier helps especially when you are traveling and need to attend to errands quickly without the bulk. Carriers are very easy to wear and putting the baby in them doesn’t need assistance.
Conclusion on the 7 Babywearing Benefits
There are many great benefits of babywearing and being informed is the best way to start. It has already been used by mothers for years in the past and has greatly benefitted them including their babies. Some of these include convenience, free hands, less crying, increased breastfeeding, and security. These are only a few out of the many advantages and we highly encourage you to try it out for you and your baby’s strong bonding.
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