Top 10 Benefits of Babywearing
How baby wearing can help
Written By Michelle Sherriff
If you have a very unsettled newborn, you may feel like you are doing all the right things to calm your baby, but nothing seems to be helping. If your baby is inconsolable, difficult to settle and has feeding and sleeping issues most of the time, it is important to address any underlying issues. While you build your team of experienced and supportive health professionals to work through these issues, there is one thing that either parent can do to help ease your baby’s discomfort, and that is babywearing.
Ten reasons for babywearing
Reduces crying Baby-wearing for 3 hours a day can reduce crying by up to 54%. Hearing their parent’s heartbeat, being in close contact and even being able to smell their parent helps soothe and calm baby.
Reduces symptoms of colic. The rhythmic, rocking motion and close contact while baby-wearing reduces colic symptoms
Reduces reflux. An upright position is generally better for babies with symptoms of reflux.
Promotes the breastfeeding relationship. Soft touch increases the release of oxytocin essential for breastfeeding. Mothers that use a baby carrier for at least 1 hour a day during the first month of baby’s life had significantly higher rates of breastfeeding at 3 and 5 months
Decreases the risk of postnatal depression. Baby-wearing allows mothers to have daily skin-to-skin contact with their newborn.
Prevents flat-head syndrome (plagiocephaly), encourages neck strength and head control
Facilitates the parent-baby bond. Close contact between the parent and baby supports attachment and baby’s sense of security.
Promotes communication and early language development. Close contact allows baby to watch and learn from verbal and non-verbal interactions with their parent, enhancing speech development.
Social and cognitive development. Close contact allows baby to cry less, spend more time interacting with their parent and the environment allowing them to be more receptive to learning.
Stabilises heart rate and body temperature. Skin to skin contact with the baby is known to regulate body temperature, respiration, heartbeat and increase blood oxygenation levels.
Types of carriers
Soft wrap
Woven wrap
Ring sling
Meh dai
Soft structured carrier
Safe babywearing
Babywearing products can result in a greater risk of injury and hospitalisation in children under the age of one if it is done incorrectly. Premature babies, low-birth-weight twins/triplets or babies who are ill are at greater risk with the use of baby carriers. If baby’s head flexes forward to their chest or their face is pressed against fabric, it can stop the flow of oxygen to the baby and result in suffocation. Correct babywearing ensures baby’s airway is clear and their back and neck are properly supported.
The T.I.C.K.S Safety Check
T. Tight baby should be upright and tightly supported in the carrier. If you let go, the carrier will support the baby and they will not slide or slump down.
I. In view at all times. You should be able to see baby’s face when you look down. Ensure baby’s face, mouth and nose are clear and uncovered at all times
C. Close enough to kiss. If you can not easily kiss the top of baby’s head, elevate baby to a higher position.
K .Keep chin off chest. A gap of approximately 2 fingers width between chin and chest is best. Breathing may be restricted if their chin is resting on their chest.
S. Supported back. The carrier should be firm so your baby is positioned with their belly and chest against your body allowing the natural curves of their spine, their legs should be in a squatting position. However, it should not be so tight that you can’t fit your hand between the carrier and your baby.
Have you found babywearing helpful? What’s your favourite carrier?
References
