There are far too many good things about babywearing to list on one page, but here’s a few of the ones we think are most important for us. All of the benefits below apply to any of our recommended carrier types and positions, but not necessarily to other baby-carrying devices.
Benefits for Baby – many of these benefits are supported by research evidence so if you’re interested please ask us for more information:
Settled, safe, secure + comforted: Baby is exactly where they want to be – with you! Because you’re so close, they’ll feel safe and secure that their needs are able to be met. They will be comforted by the rhythmic movement of your breathing, heartbeat and walking, and find it easier to settle and to sleep safely. Caring physical contact with young babies aids the healthy development of their brain and babies who are carried regularly have more stable heart and breathing rates, spend less time crying and more time in a state of quiet alertness. And so all of that energy that isn’t wasted on crying and fussing can be spent on growing, learning and thriving instead!
Good head, spine, pelvis and hip support to aid optimal physical development: When carried in a recommended carrier type and position, Baby’s spine and legs are fully and comfortably supported in the most optimal position for healthy spine and hip development. They are not lying on a flat or rigid surface that could hold them in an unnatural or uncomfortable posture, and the tiny physical adjustments that they have to make to the movements of carrying help to develop their muscle tone and sense of balance. Being carried in an upright, tummy-to-tummy position in a sling or carrier can be a great alternative to ‘tummy-time’ for a baby, promoting healthy development of the upper body muscles and reducing the risk of ‘flat head’ problems (positional plagiocephaly).
Upright position can help colicky symptoms: Being held in an upright position with the gently pressure of your body against their tummy whilst being gently moved helps Baby to digest more effectively, and to more easily keep down what should stay down and to get rid of whatever’s causing discomfort. Babies who are carried regularly tend to be more settled during the day, and sleep better at night.
Part of the social & physical world around them: Baby is being held at the level that things happen at! They can see your face, learning from your expressions and responses to their own first attempts at communicating. When you talk to other people, Baby is a part of the conversation and shares the experience with you. Baby is also in a great position to see and hear the physical world around them – if they want to. With all the new things they are experiencing, Baby could be easily over-stimulated so it’s just as important that they can choose to turn away from it all if they want to or when they get tired.
Benefits For Parent – some of these are supported by research evidence, and all are supported by the practical experiences of millions of parents around the world and throughout history:
Close to baby: You are always close to your baby and they can snuggle into you in a lovely permahug! Being in close proximity to your baby has been shown to aid parent-baby bonding and to ease symptoms of post-natal stress and depression. The more you hug your baby, the happier it makes you! And holding your baby close to you using a sling or carrier has also been shown to improve breastfeeding outcomes too.
Aware of and can easily monitor baby’s changing needs and wellbeing: You have the reassurance that you’ll immediately notice if baby needs something, or if anything is wrong with them. Being so close to baby helps you to ‘tune in’ to how they communicate what they want and you’ll learn to predict baby’s needs. Babywearing from birth can also help in establishing sucessful breastfeeding.
Convenient and Hands Free: Not only will it be easier to notice and meet baby’s changing needs, but you’ll have both hands free to be able to get on with your day too. With baby calmer and more settled, you’ll have less stress and more time to meet some of your needs (as well as those of older children). And when out and about, slings are often much easier and more convenient than other baby transport methods, especially in London.
Good for you: Not only does babywearing using a supportive and well-fitting carrier support and protect your spine, abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (essential for a post-natal mother), but it’ll also provide you with low-impact and gradually increasing core strength training. Strength training helps to counter the reduction in bone density that naturally occurs while breastfeeding, protecting against future oseoporosis. Plus you’ll be carrying at least 3kg more in weight (sometimes for many hours a day), which burns significant calories too!
Comfortable: If well fitted and used correctly, baby carriers are very comfortable to use for significant lengths of time without discomfort, and with children up to age 3 or 4. Babies are designed to fit against your body and when supported close to your centre of gravity they are much more comfortable to carry than a rucksack or other load of similar weight.
We think that babywearing is fantastic for many reasons, but it’s different for everyone, and each family will find their own benefits of being able to comfortably carry their baby or toddler regularly.
References (this article is not yet fully referenced – additional references will be added in due course):
Larimer, K. (1999) Kangaroo Care Benefits
© 2020 South London Sling Library
FAQs
Babies who are carried regularly tend to be more settled during the day, and sleep better at night. Part of the social & physical world around them: Baby is being held at the level that things happen at! They can see your face, learning from your expressions and responses to their own first attempts at communicating.
What are the benefits of babywearing? ›
Studies have shown that the close physical contact of babywearing promotes attachment and bonding. Parents who practice babywearing are more responsive to their baby's needs, and mothers are more likely to breastfeed. Babywearing also appears to promote language development. Babywearing is good for parents, too.
Are baby slings good or bad for babies? ›
When used correctly, baby slings are totally safe! With that, the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) urges parents and caregivers to be extra cautious when using infant slings for babies younger than 4 months old.
Does babywearing reduce SIDS? ›
Studies have shown this to reduce the risk of SIDS. An English study, comparing 325 SIDS babies with 1300 control babies, found that 75% of the day-time SIDS deaths occurred while babies were alone in a room. Using a sling or baby carrier may make it easier for you to keep your baby close during the day.
What are the benefits of ring sling baby carrier? ›
Airflow & comfort: Ring slings are comfortable and cool in warmer climates/weather, due to the airflow they allow by being one piece of material. They are also made out of lovely woven cotton fabric, which is comfortable to wear.
Does baby wearing help with development? ›
Babywearing is a safe and secure way to bond with your baby.
From early infancy, soft-structured baby carriers easily and safely help baby's development. They properly support baby's hips and legs, which assist with joint and muscle development.
What is the science behind babywearing? ›
Oxytocin, often referred to as the 'love hormone,' plays a central role in early parenting. Babywearing stimulates the release of oxytocin, both in caregivers and infants. This hormone is associated with parental caregiving behavior and infant development.
What are the disadvantages of baby wearing? ›
The biggest concern with baby wearing is suffocation, especially for babies under 4 months old. Babies don't have very good head control for the first few months after birth because of weak neck muscles. If your baby's mouth and nose become obstructed, they won't be able to breathe.
How many hours a day can a baby be in a sling? ›
How long should you carry your baby for each day? Good news: there's no upper limit! While there are upper limits for car seat use, the same rules don't apply to babywearing.
Are baby slings bad for your back? ›
A badly fitted baby carrier can even cause back pain. A well-fitted baby carrier can be part of the solution. A tightly fitted, well-adjusted sling will hold your baby's weight up and into your body; making you stand up straight (maybe for the first time in a while), with your spine in a neutral position.
Why Does SIDS Peak at 2-4 Months? The widely accepted explanation for the SIDS peak has to do with the timeline of brain development. “Up to 4 months old, the part of the brain that controls breathing and wakefulness is under a lot of development,” Juliet explains.
When to stop babywearing? ›
The rate that this occurs is unique to each child and their particular needs. This means that there is no cut off point where you have to stop babywearing. Like with breastfeeding, bed-sharing or any other thing that involves both caregiver and child, the point to stop is when one or both of you feel ready to stop.
What is the peak age for SIDS? ›
The peak incidence of SIDS occurs between 1 – 4 months of age; 90% of cases occur before 6 months of age.
What are the cons of ring sling? ›
– Because they are over one shoulder they're not quite as comfortable as other types of carrier for longer periods of time. – Like woven wraps, Ring Slings can take a little time to master. Sized hip carriers (often called Pouches) are also worn over one shoulder.
What are the disadvantages of a baby carrier? ›
rule to avoid suffocation risks in baby carriers and slings. Babies are at risk of suffocation if they're not put into baby carriers and slings correctly. This is because young babies can't move if they're in a dangerous position that's blocking their airways.
How long should you wear your baby for? ›
There is no official time limit for carrying your baby in a carrier, however, there are safety and developmental risks that need to be considered when using a carrier for prolonged periods. Such risks include suffocation, positional asphyxiation, overheating, hip dysplasia and container syndrome.
Can babywearing replace tummy time? ›
Carrying your baby can complement and enhance tummy time but it should not replace the need for tummy time altogether. When lying on their front babies are encouraged to push against gravity horizontally, which is important for development and something that can't be completely recreated by babywearing.
Is it okay to wear your baby all day? ›
As being carried is natural for babies there's no set time limit for how long they can stay in the sling, provided you're both happy and comfortable.
Does babywearing build muscle? ›
Good for you: Not only does babywearing using a supportive and well-fitting carrier support and protect your spine, abdominal and pelvic floor muscles (essential for a post-natal mother), but it'll also provide you with low-impact and gradually increasing core strength training.
