Ben was 4 years old when Jakob was born and he was a busy, climbing, jumping kind of a boy (is there any other kind of kid? Certainly not in our house!). Babywearing made it possible for me to keep up with him and be hands free. It also allowed me to stay connected to Jakob and enjoy the close cuddly feeling that a new baby brings you. I continued to enjoy the benefits of babywearing well beyond the infant stage. For those of you who were around for the first year of FITMOM in Durham Region, you may recall me lunging, squatting and sweating alongside of you with a 12mnth old toddler strapped to my back!
Here is some great information that may have you increasing the amount of time your baby spends in a carrier/wrap vs a car seat, swing or bouncy chair!
1. Baby's are happier when you wear them. In fact, one study found that babies cried 43% less overall and 54%less in the evening hours when they were in a carrier, compared to babies that were not. (1)
2. Baby's are healthier when you wear them. The sound of your heartbeat , the rhythm of your breathing and your own bodies movement is familiar to your little one. This stimulation helps regulate his own physcial responses. Wearing your baby can also help stimulate their development by exposing them to the five senses (touching, hearing, seeing, smelling, and tasting), which has a positive impact on your infants brain development.
3. Builds confidence and communication Wearing your baby close to your body allows you to respond to his needs quickly. Learning to read your baby's gestures, facial expressions and natural movements increases your confidence and deepens the mutual attachement between baby and parent.
4.Comfortable & convenient Investing in a good carrier will allow you to get through your daily activities (cleaning, shopping, travelling) without having the anxiety or stress of experiencing the frequent interruptions of an infant.
5.Can be done anytime, anywhere by anyone
Babywearing allows other family members or friends the opportunity to connect and bond with the new baby in your life. I always love seeing dad's with a baby strapped to their body.as they walk the dog or during family outings. Babywearing allows all loving caregivers the oppotunity to connect and bond.
For more information on the benefits of babywearing visit
1 - Hunziker UA, Garr RG. (1986) Increased carrying reduces infant crying: A random-ized controlled trial. Pediatrics 77:641-648
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