Babywearing
What is Babywearing?
Babywearing is the practice of keeping your baby close to you while utilizing one of the many baby carriers that are available to buy. There are many benefits to babywearing including bonding with family and caregivers, ease of skin-to-skin contact (which can aid in breastfeeding), good alignment of developing joints, it keeps babies off of their backs and thus decreases uneven pressure on their heads, and allows hands-free positioning in order to complete other tasks while still carrying their babies. It has also decreases the incidence of postpartum depression and can be helpful to parents of babies with special or high needs. Additionally, carried babies sleep, feed, and grow better. They are also happier. According to one study, carried 6-week old babies cried 43% less than other babies.
The Proper Way to Wear Your Baby
When discussing the proper way to wear a baby, it is important to address proper alignment. Infants spend their time in the womb in a fetal position. So, it is important that they maintain a similar position while in a carrier until their hip joints finish developing. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute states, “The healthiest position for the hips is for the hips to fall or spread (naturally) apart to the side, with the thighs supported and the hips and knees bent. This position has been called the straddle position, jockey position, frog position, human position or spread-squat position. Free movement of the hips without forcing them together promotes natural hip development.”
What to Consider Before Buying a Carrier
There are a few different types of carriers with no type being better than the other. Usually one type will fit a mom or dad better or be more comfortable. There are also carriers that are more appropriate for the baby’s stage of development. The most important thing to note is the alignment of the baby once in the carrier and how well it feels to the caregiver using it (allowing for good support at the shoulders and back).
Babywearing Resources
There are many resources if you want more information about babywearing. A group called Babywearers of Bozeman is a local resource. This group helps moms and dads navigate all the different types of carriers and can help you find what will work best for the family. They will help fit them, show parents how to do different holds, and educate on safety. They will also rent a carrier for a month and see if it is the right carrier for them before making a purchase.
Additional information can be found at birthplacebozeman.com/baby-wearers.html or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/bwbozeman. You can also find a wealth of information online. Here are some very reliable sources that offer great info for people who want to learn more:
- www.babywearinginternational.org
- www.askdrsears.com
- www.lalecheleague.org/nb/nbnovdec04p204.html
- www.healthychildren.org