The Benefits of Babywearing!
Babywearing is a modern term for what is essentially an
age old tradition - a modern focus on ancient wisdom.
Now research firmly confirms the many benefits of babywearing - not only to baby, but also to the parent!
Benefits to Baby:
Wearing your baby close to you in a sling eases baby's transition from womb to world. Baby feels safe and secure and becomes settled quickly. Close to your body warmth, baby's own body temperature regulates more quickly. Even when sick, baby's temperature is more likely to lower when held close. Held babies are happy babies!Babies who are carried frequently cry, on average, over 50% LESS than babies who aren't carried. Modern research has revealed that the stress levels reach high levels in babies who are left to cry. It is now known that prolonged periods of crying creates irreversably high stress levels, which means they are more susceptible to stress as adults.
Babies carried in slings are attended to more quickly by their caregivers. This means reduced stress levels. Carried babies are calm babies!
The incidence of colic and other digestive disturbances are much lower in carried babies. Held babies are healthy babies!
Rather than becoming clingy and dependent (as parents are often warned by the uninformed), babies who are carried develop trust in their parents, have a secure attachment and usually become very self sufficient and confident toddlers and children.
Babies held in slings actually learn more! They are often in the 'quiet, alert state' which researchers have pinpointed as the most receptive state for learning. Being at adults level in a sling, babies see much more of the world, rather than at knee level when they're in prams. Their learning and experience of the world is enhanced when being carried, and babies want to learn - that's why babies crave to be picked up!
Being at adult level in the sling, babies are close to the level of conversation, as well as often being spoken to much more. Baby's learning and development of language and communication are greatly enhanced.
In the sling, baby becomes part of the activity, not the centre of attention! In this way, babies don't learn to crave attention, but are happy to be involved in your family activities. Babies in slings are also far less likely to be touched and breathed over by strangers who won't want to invade your personal space! Carried babies are contented babies!
Benefits to Parents:
Wearing baby in a sling gives the parent their hands free to get on with their usual daily activities!Wearing baby in a sling gives the parent much more freedom! No need to be weighed down by an uncooperative pram in the crowded shopping centre! No need for the parent's day to revolve around baby's sleep or feed times - baby will be happy to sleep and nurse in the sling while out and about!
Older children need not feel displaced because of the new baby! The parent has far less sibling jealousy to deal with because their hands are free to attend to their other children while soothing and caring for their newborn in the sling.
Research confirms that parents who frequently wear their babies become more responsive, sensitive and perceptive to their baby's needs. Researchers have reported that parents who carry their babies appear to 'know' their babies better. This means discipline in later years is less of an issue; many problems are easily averted because of this insightfulness and knowledge of the child. Further, this responsiveness appears to be mutual! Babies who were frequently carried, were more responsive to their parent.
Slings are fun, as well as being very comfortable! Because the weight is distributed evenly across the shoulder and back, they can be worn for long periods if necessary. Many parents continue with recreation activities such as hiking while carrying their baby in a sling.
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