Why You Should Wear Your Baby

Have you wondered how much parents should carry their babies? And what are the benefits of wearing your baby? It is important to take a balanced approach to baby-wearing. To understand baby-wearing, picture this: carrying your baby most of the time, and put him or her down for longer nap times, nighttime and to attend to your personal needs. Allow your baby to enjoy down periods and freestyle movements on the mat, but pick him or her up when he or she signals the desire to be carried.

You will observe an interesting contrast in behavior. “Down” babies learn to cry to get picked up; “up” babies learn non-crying body language singling their need to get down. The amount of holding time naturally decreases as your baby gets older and acquire more motor skills.

Pregnant mothers carry their babies in their wombs for 9-10 months. And while in utero, the babies are warm and safe. The mothers’ breaths and heartbeats are their accompany them at all times. When they are born, things change. Fortunately, we can baby wear, which brings our bundles of joy close to us again. Our babies need us more than ever after they are born, as they make the transition into this new big world. Our partners and caregivers can also babywear, which enables them to build a special connection, making the baby feel loved and secure.

As both of you maintain a closeness throughout the day, the bond between the two of you becomes stronger. Wearing your baby helps him/her to feel secure and safe. It also fosters a closeness throughout toddlerhood. Toddlers can be worn too, reminding them of their “home base”, and allowing that bond to continue as they grow.

A baby that is often held is a happy baby. When the baby is close to you, his/her needs can be quickly met, hence the baby cries less. When you wear your baby, oxytocin is produced, resulting in a more intimate parental bond. Oxytocin is often called “the love hormone”, and it plays a huge role in all pair bonding. This hormone is stimulated during sex, birth, and breastfeeding. Oxytocin is the hormone that underlies trust; it is also an antidote to depressive feelings.

Babywearing also provides convenience to your day—simply place your little one in the carrier and go. It also allows parents and caregivers to be “hands-free”. While the baby is in the carrier, it promotes exploring and discovering. The best part of babywearing is that it can be done anywhere, anytime. Breastmilk production is boosted with close contact with the baby.

Babies learn by watching faces. Babywearing puts your little one at conversational height. He/she is able to pick up your facial expressions and listen to you talk.