Babywearing - the practise of keeping your baby close in a sling or carrier can have many benefits for parents and child
Babies are born with a strong desire to be close to their caregivers. It's an evolutionary imperative that helped early humans survive and is still of great value in our modern world. A baby who is worn in a sling cries less, sleeps better and can show greater weight gain, physical, emotional and cognitive development than babies given less close contact. Babies suffering from colic, reflux, wind or who are unsettled due to teething or development growth spurts are soothed by the gentle movements of their carer's body and the feeling of being wrapped up snugly.
Upright sling carrying positions mimic the best natural position for a baby’s spine and hips (i.e. spine curved in a gentle ‘c’ and hips abducted with knees raised to create an ‘m’) whilst still allowing free movement of the head and neck which enables airway preservation is in fact an evolutionary proven way to keep our babies safe. See the Babywearing Safety rules 'TICKS'
Babywearing can promote the physical and psychological development of babies in a very positive way. Babies seek warmth and comfort from care-givers and meeting these innate needs gives them the best chance of being a well adjusted, caring and giving individual as they grow up. This is because using a sling can be part of forming a secure attachment to a caregiver which has been shown to promote positive mental development.
Wearing your baby is a wonderful bonding experience, whatever your parenting style. In particular, Babywearing is one of the key ideas supported by 'Attachment Parenting' other ways a parent may care for their baby 'AP' style include breastfeeding, co-sleeping, gentle discipline and respecting the individuality of parent and child. To find out more visit Attachment Parenting UK
Ways in which a sling supports a baby’s development:
Babies are born with survival instincts, one of which is to react with alarm if they feel they have been abandoned. Research has shown that stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisone are raised in babies who are left to cry. Babies worn close to their parents rarely become distressed as they are comforted by the familiar smell, warmth and heartbeat of the adult. If they do become upset they can be soothed by gentle movements whilst in the sling. Receiving this unconditional care and regard teaches the baby it is of value to care for others and may be reflected in their own personality as they mature.
Being held by their caregiver demonstrates to the child that they are loved through physical closeness and secure emotional attachment as they are kept close to their caregiver while the adult is busy, rather than being left down at a distance. Having a secure attachment means a child is more likely to feel confident to explore the world around them, including crawling or walking around at increasing distances from their parents when they are ready and interacting with other children and adults. This confidence stems from knowing they have a secure base to return to: the arms of their carer
Being worn for long periods can increase the amount of time a baby spends in the ‘quiet alert’ state which is known to promote learning. In the sling they are are worn at eye level with adults, rather than laid or sat low to the ground in a pushchair etc from which position the baby gains a broad insight into the community around them. They see what goes on at home, playgroups, shops and places of work and they learn about social interaction through the responses their carer gives to different situations. They are also able to see the many exciting things available to them for play and learning. Frequently this means that a baby who has been worn is very ready to crawl or walk towards their chosen point of interest and they may have advanced abilities to then explore the activity gained from their observations in the sling in the quiet alert state.
Babies spines develop gradually over two years from a gentle curve to the more ‘s’ like shape of the mature spine. As each change occurs the baby’s muscles must strengthen and adapt to support their new shape and range of movement. Correct use of a sling supports good spine and hip development by allowing the baby’s spine to retain its natural curve and holding the hips securely in their sockets whilst the joint slowly matures over the first two years of life. Being worn in a sling exercises a baby’s muscles improving tone and control, it is equivalent to giving the baby tummy time and is therefore more, not less, likely to promote normal physical development towards walking.
Upright sling carrying positions mimic the best natural position for a baby’s spine and hips (i.e. spine curved in a gentle ‘c’ and hips abducted with knees raised to create an ‘m’) whilst still allowing free movement of the head and neck which enables airway preservation is in fact an evolutionary proven way to keep our babies safe. See the Babywearing Safety rules 'TICKS'
Babywearing can promote the physical and psychological development of babies in a very positive way. Babies seek warmth and comfort from care-givers and meeting these innate needs gives them the best chance of being a well adjusted, caring and giving individual as they grow up. This is because using a sling can be part of forming a secure attachment to a caregiver which has been shown to promote positive mental development.
Wearing your baby is a wonderful bonding experience, whatever your parenting style. In particular, Babywearing is one of the key ideas supported by 'Attachment Parenting' other ways a parent may care for their baby 'AP' style include breastfeeding, co-sleeping, gentle discipline and respecting the individuality of parent and child. To find out more visit Attachment Parenting UK
Ways in which a sling supports a baby’s development:
Babies are born with survival instincts, one of which is to react with alarm if they feel they have been abandoned. Research has shown that stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisone are raised in babies who are left to cry. Babies worn close to their parents rarely become distressed as they are comforted by the familiar smell, warmth and heartbeat of the adult. If they do become upset they can be soothed by gentle movements whilst in the sling. Receiving this unconditional care and regard teaches the baby it is of value to care for others and may be reflected in their own personality as they mature.
Being held by their caregiver demonstrates to the child that they are loved through physical closeness and secure emotional attachment as they are kept close to their caregiver while the adult is busy, rather than being left down at a distance. Having a secure attachment means a child is more likely to feel confident to explore the world around them, including crawling or walking around at increasing distances from their parents when they are ready and interacting with other children and adults. This confidence stems from knowing they have a secure base to return to: the arms of their carer
Being worn for long periods can increase the amount of time a baby spends in the ‘quiet alert’ state which is known to promote learning. In the sling they are are worn at eye level with adults, rather than laid or sat low to the ground in a pushchair etc from which position the baby gains a broad insight into the community around them. They see what goes on at home, playgroups, shops and places of work and they learn about social interaction through the responses their carer gives to different situations. They are also able to see the many exciting things available to them for play and learning. Frequently this means that a baby who has been worn is very ready to crawl or walk towards their chosen point of interest and they may have advanced abilities to then explore the activity gained from their observations in the sling in the quiet alert state.
Babies spines develop gradually over two years from a gentle curve to the more ‘s’ like shape of the mature spine. As each change occurs the baby’s muscles must strengthen and adapt to support their new shape and range of movement. Correct use of a sling supports good spine and hip development by allowing the baby’s spine to retain its natural curve and holding the hips securely in their sockets whilst the joint slowly matures over the first two years of life. Being worn in a sling exercises a baby’s muscles improving tone and control, it is equivalent to giving the baby tummy time and is therefore more, not less, likely to promote normal physical development towards walking.
