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For mainstream parents, the term "baby wearing" may
seem very odd. Why would you want to "wear" a baby...and HOW do you "wear" a
baby?! When my son was born, I had seen the infant carriers in stores and before
I gave up had tried 3-4 of them. Mainstream baby companies tend to make
everything with buckles, snaps, straps, loops, and pockets to make their
products more appealing. All those bells and whistles also get in the way. So I
wanted to address a few pointers on baby wearing so that ALL parents can get a
feel for what it is and its benefits.
Baby wearing is just like it sounds...strapping your
baby onto you and going about your day. Why in the world would someone want to
do this?! Here are a few reasons:
-
Baby wearing helps satisfy the
baby's need for closeness, touch and affection.
-
Baby wearing promotes and
strengthens parents' emotional bond with their baby.
-
The movement that naturally
results from carrying your baby stimulates his neurological development.
-
Babies cry less when worn or
held.
-
Holding helps regulate your
baby's temperature and heart rate.
-
Baby feels more secure.
-
Baby wearing facilitates easy
outings and travel.
 Companies like Graco, Cosco,
Fisher Price, and Safety First just LOVE pregnant women! Especially if it's your
first baby. They have convinced us that we need travel systems so that we can
carry our baby around in a plastic seat all day, and swings, exersaucers, play
gyms, and bouncy seats. I know that there is a place for all of these. Both of
my children were very active at early ages, and I could not wear them for long
before they wanted down. But we think that because all of these are available,
we must have them all, and from day one. Not so!
Baby wearing can be hard on you.
If you start from the beginning, you will get stronger as your baby gains
weight. Sort of like how we get "mommy arms" from holding and picking up
children all day. It is much easier to leave your baby in swings, exersaucers,
and bouncy seats, but if you want what is BEST, then spend more of your day
wearing your baby and use your gadgets for moments when you are doing things
that are impossible to do while wearing your baby. If you are a working parent,
it is especially important to wear your baby during the times you have together.
If it is important to you, you may even be able to find a caregiver that will
wear your baby during the day while you work. I have a friend who wore twins
that she cared for. And you would not believe the things she could do while
wearing them!
I feel it is important for moms to
know about baby wearing because it would have helped me a lot when my son was
born. He was a high needs baby, and wanted to be held ALL the time. He cried
constantly. He would not sleep. But at that time, I wouldn't
 have even known
what to look up on the internet for help! The carriers I tried were not working,
and I tried the Nojo sling with no success, probably because I didn't have help
using it. But now you can find all kinds of styles and prints of slings, and
moms (and dads) are wearing their babies all kinds of ways.
So what kind of carrier do you
need? I wish it were that simple. We are all made differently and want different
things. Some parents like the bells and whistles on the carriers found at
stores. Many parents like a simple piece of cloth that ties around in a certain
way. There are so many options out there! If this is the first time you've heard
of baby wearing, try a search on the term under Google or Yahoo. If you have
someone close to you, it would help to try on carriers so that you can find one
that is comfortable. If the first one you try isn't comfortable, try another one
until you are happy. Sometimes it is just a matter of tying it differently or
pulling it tighter or more loosely. Just find one that works because it is well
worth it in the end!
Check out EarthyBirthyMama.com for
Baby Slings like the New Native Baby Carrier and TaylorMade Slings.
Our thanks to Heather at
Mom4Life for furnishing
baby wearing pictures for this article.
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