Wearing Your Baby

Benefits:

• Carried babies cry less—Research has shown that babies that are carried cry on average 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours.
• Carried babies learn more—Babies who are carried spend more time in the quiet alert state, this is the state where babies learn about their world.
• Carrying your baby helps you to connect and reconnect— If you are working outside the home carrying your baby allows you to reconnect after a long day away, while giving you the time to get your evening tasks completed. Carrying your baby throughout the day help baby and caregiver to stay connected.
• Carried babies are emotionally healthier—Babies that are carried are more likely to trust their caregivers and are shown to often become independent at an earlier age.
  

• When you wear your baby, you are free to move without having to negotiate a stroller or carry a heavy car seat. If nursing, you can do so discreetly in a carrier
• Wearing a baby allows you to hold your baby without the aching arms that can accompany baby being held. Carriers distribute weight across your body, making it much more comfortable than a baby in your arms. Most carriers can be used for up to 35 lbs, great for carrying a toddlers who you don’t want running around when out and about.
• Wearing your baby helps to soothe fussiness, reflux and colic. Whether your baby is high needs, or just fussy now and then, wearing them is shown to help!
• Bonding, bonding, bonding….. Babywearing fosters trust between baby and caregiver; a baby who knows its needs will be met will be more secure later on. Anyone can wear your baby; you can share the bonding experience with dads and caregivers.
• Get your exercise!! Forget going to the gym and hiring a sitter to watch baby. Wearing your baby while walking adds well-distributed weight and usually results in a nap for the baby!
  

Keys to success:

1. Be sure baby is well rested and well fed before trying to use a new carrier.
2. It is good to practice with a baby doll or stuffed animal before putting your child into a new carrier so you are comfortable with how it's use.
3. Once your baby is in the carrier, start moving!! Go for a walk, talk to the baby, pat their back and reassure them that being in a carrier is a good thing.
4. See if you can find other experienced baby wearers to help trouble shoot with you if you feel the carrier isn’t working for you.
5. Try different carries before giving up.Babies prefer different positions; so keep trying until you find what works for you and your child.
6. Wearing your baby shouldn’t cause discomfort. If you aren’t comfortable, seek assistance. Baby wearing should be a fun and comfortable way to carry your baby.
7. Although baby may not look comfortable to you, babies love to be scrunched up. It reminds them of being in the womb. If baby is uncomfortable, they will be sure to let you know!
8. Always use common sense when baby wearing. If you wouldn’t perform an activity while holding your baby in your arms, don’t do so while wearing your baby.