Babywearing 101

Yesterday, you heard about Laura’s personal experience with babywearing and how helpful she found it to be. Today, I get to give you the skinny on why babywearing isn’t just some trendy, “crunchy” hipster thing to do. There are so many preconceived notions about what kind of parent you are or aren’t based on some of the choices you make so let me begin by saying that babywearing isn’t a category of parent. I look at it as a way to easily multitask; you have your hands free and your child has the safety and comfort of being close to you. It’s really a win-win in my book.

Here are the reasons why you should babywear or at least should consider it:

It makes for a happy baby! If you think about it, when is your baby happiest? If your kids are like mine, then the answer is in your arms. A study conducted in 1986 and published in a journal called Pediatrics found that babies who were worn three hours a day reduced overall crying by 43% and at night reduced crying by 54% during the evening hours.

Multitasking at its best; be productive and comfort baby all at the same time. I already mentioned this before, but this has to be one of my favorite things about babywearing. With the newest (and cutest!) addition to our family of four, I’ve found that I really cannot get anything done. My daughter, Keira, is five weeks old now and although I’d love to sit on the couch and nurse her all day in and out of sleep, that just isn’t possible with two older (and very noisy!) siblings. My baby carrier has been a lifesaver for myself and Keira. She gets the closeness that she craves and I can be productive!

It’s an easy way to do Kangaroo Care. If you’ve had a baby in the last three years you’ll remember the nurses in the delivery room or your recovery room encouraging you to do skin-to-skin contact with your baby. They may have even encouraged your partner or another caregiver to do the same. Science tells us that preemies and babies in the NICU were greatly helped by Kangaroo Care; doctors and nurses saw increases in weight gain as well as emotional benefits for the parents. Wearing your child allows you to really get to know your baby. Keira, my sweet newborn, is quite possibly the noisiest baby ever. She groans and grunts whenever she moves! When I listen to her noises on the monitor I instantly think she’s waking up. It wasn’t until I was wearing her one day that I realized that’s just what she does – she announces every move she makes and every little thing that’s happening in her digestive system. Because I knew she’s safe and comforted against me, I was able to confidently make the observation that these noises were not cries for help and I should leave her alone when she’s sleeping in her room.

For more information on the benefits of babywearing, check out this page from Babywearing International.

Types of Carriers

Wraps or Wraparound Slings – A wrap is made out of a special kind of cloth that stretches and is tied around the body. The benefit of using a wrap is that there are many different ways a baby can be worn and the child can be worn from birth and up. The Moby Wrap is probably one of the more familiar wraps out there.

Ring Slings – A ring sling takes the wrap and adds one thing to it: two rings that replaces tying, knotting and tucking the fabric so the baby can be worn securely. This is also another great carrier to use if you have a newborn. The thing with any kind of sling, however, is that you must ensure that the baby is positioned safely so that the airway isn’t cut off. Newborns have no head control so if they’re in a slouched position, they can’t move themselves to open their airway up. The brand Sakura Bloom is a popular ring sling and the one that Laura used.

Soft Structured Carrier – A soft structured carrier (SSC) has straps, a padded waistband and a panel that supports the baby; I’m wearing one in the picture to the left. Different from a wrap or a sling the soft structured carrier fastens with buckles. The SSC distributes weight differently than other carriers and most parents like the better support that it offers in comparison to a wrap. Although an infant can be in an SSC, a special infant insert must be used. The best age for SSC’s is four months and older. Beco and Ergo are both well known soft structured carriers.

Mei Tais – Basically, think about your SSC and take away the buckles. The carrier is more or less a glorified wrap with a body panel and straps for the shoulders and waist. The nice thing about the Mei Tais is that it’s universal in its fit in that you don’t have to readjust straps and buckles when worn by multiple caregivers. Babyhawk is a popular Mei Tais brand.

What kind of carrier is the best?

I think you have to look at what your end goal is. If it’s to wear primarily during the newborn stage, when babies need that physical close touch, I would look into a wrap or ring sling (if you don’t want to take the time learn how to use a wrap). If you want to be able to multitask and wear while you’re at the zoo or another public place, I would suggest an SSC.

Whatever carrier you end up purchasing, I have to warn you about the damage that can be done when you wear your child facing out. No matter the age or weight of the child you’re wearing he or she should always be facing mom; that means that if baby is old enough and has proper head control, you should wear him on your back facing you but looking out into the world rather than Baby Bjorning it with a forward facing, away from the wearer position. Why? Here are the major reasons in my opinion:

1. It does not adequately support your child’s developing hips and legs. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute has a great article about the best position your child should be in to avoid hip dysplasia. Basically, you want for your baby’s legs to be tucked up to hip level. This is because of the fetal position they are in inside the womb. It’s natural and what nature intended for them. Think about a newborn; they’re all scrunched up when they come to live on the outside world, right? Well, their little limbs and hips are developing so let them sit naturally and leave the crotch dangling alone.

2. It’s uncomfortable for you, the wearer. Not only can you not see your child’s face, but it’s also really uncomfortable to carry something that wiggles and moves and possibly weighs over 15 lbs out in your front away from you. I mean it’s uncomfortable to have that big belly when you’re pregnant, right?

3. Too much stimulation for the child. The world is a very bright and loud place, and babies do not have the ability to tell us if they’re getting overstimulated. When you wear your child facing out and away from you it’s kind of like they’re out there on their own taking everything in about the world around them. Sure it may be fun at first, but after a while it becomes daunting and for some babies can be way too much stimulation.

I love this article from Boba – Nine Reasons Not to Carry Your Baby Facing Out. It’s a great read. I also really think this article on babywearing safety from Babywearing International is a must read as well.

Educating yourself on how to properly wear your baby and toddler is the best thing you can do if you want to use a baby carrier. I love wearing my children and although I do like my free time, it’s definitely something I enjoy doing.

Here are some online resources and local groups for you to use:

Online

Babywearing International – http://babywearinginternational.org/

Boba Family – http://www.boba.com/research/

Earthy Crunchy Mama – http://www.earthycrunchymama.com/category/mental-notes/babywearing/

Nesting Days – http://www.nestingdays.com/#!blog/c1vii

PAXbaby.com – http://paxbaby.com/learn/

Local Resources

Babywearing International of the Twin Cities Minnesota – http://babywearingtwincities.org/ and on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/groups/bwitwincities/

Babywearing International of South Metro Minneapolis – http://bwisouthmetrominneapolis.com/ and on Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BWISouthMetroMinneapolisChapter

BabyLove MN – http://www.babylovemn.com/