Babywearing - Why It is Mutually Beneficial for Parent and Child

... means carrying a baby in a carrier or sling that fits around the torso of the parent and keeps the baby close as the parent shops hands-free or does chores around the house. Although this practice is not new, it is advocated by those who follow the principles of attachment parenting, which were developed by pediatrician, Dr. William Sears. Of course you don't have to subscribe to this philosophy to use a sling or carrying to keep your baby close, while freeing your hands at the same time. In this article, you'll learn the benefits of this mode of baby transport with options most recommended by the parents who are members of this site.

Babywearing: Why Is It Essential

• Keeping your baby close to your body (most carriers position the baby next to the mother's or father's heart) increases the physical and emotional bond between child and parent. Since in the mother, this physical closeness increases the production of progesterone which is known to alleviate symptoms of postpartum depression, this means the mother will feel happier which makes it more likely that the baby will get his or her needs met.
• Infants who are carried close to their parent's heart sync their heart rhythms with the parent and are more attuned to the parent's established rhythms of waking, eating and sleeping. In addition to helping attune you and your baby, the practice of baby wearing will make your child feel more relaxed.
• Baby's who are cradled next to their parent in babywearing slings and carriers are much less likely to suffer from "flat head syndrome" which occurs when a baby spends a large amount of time laying flat or with his or head pressed up against the back of an infant car seat.
• Infants crave connection with their parents. They need to see, touch, smell and feel them. In some ways, a baby carrier is like a womb because you're taking your baby everywhere you go.
• Infants who are securely attached to their parents through constant physical and emotional contact, get their needs met and are better able to read the faces and social cues of others.

As you can see the pluses of babywearing are many for the parent and child.

About the author: Laura Ramirez is the author of the award-winning parenting book Keepers of the Children. This unique parenting book uses native concepts to teach parents how to raise children to lead a life that is an expression of their natural strengths and talents. It also explains human development from birth to death.

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