Maybe you received a sling as a baby gift, or you’ve just heard that a wrap is a great parenting tool. But you’re wondering what’s so wonderful about holding your baby all the time. Here are our top 10 reasons why babywearing is great for you and your baby.

1. Babywearing is like a womb on the outside: Newborns transition to the outside world more easily when you create a womb-like environment for them. And what easier way than wearing them close to you. Your baby can feel your motion, hear your voice and heartbeat, and keep warm from your body heat.
2. You’ll have both hands free: this can be very helpful in the early days with your newborn especially when you’d like to eat a meal or take care of your older child.
3. Your baby will cry less: In a study about crying and carrying, babies who were carried an extra 3 hours each day had nearly half as much crying at 6 weeks as those who weren’t exposed to the extra holding.
4. You will learn your baby’s cues: Your basic task in the early weeks of parenting is trying to figure out what baby’s different cries and coos mean. Having your baby close to you will give you greater opportunity to catch early cues and keep your baby calmer (and this will improve your confidence in your parenting.)
5. Your baby can interact with the world better: Your baby will be seeing the same sights at you, and can interact with the world you are interacting with. This teaches baby sociability and can give baby a safe haven from which to observe the big world.
6. A baby carrier takes up less space than a stroller: whether trying to navigate the aisles in a department store, or just to get into your car and go, the sling or wrap is an easier, less bulky choice. And it’s much easier to carry baby in a sling or wrap than in a car seat!
7. You can keep your baby safe: People like to touch babies. When you’re out and about, they’re less likely to touch a baby attached to you – particularly important during cold and flu season. As your baby gets older, the carrier provides a place to keep baby secure while your attention is focused on other tasks.
8. You can breastfeed easily: because you’re catching early feeding cues, your baby can eat as soon as he signals his hunger. And your breasts are right there next to him. Nursing in public is easier (or at least more covered), too.
9. Your baby will feel emotionally secure: because you can respond quickly, your baby will grow feeling that his needs are being met consistently. And this helps baby feel strongly bonded to his caregiver.
10. Your baby’s brain will develop better: Your baby’s brain is growing so fast during the early years – making connects between nerves and pruning connections that aren’t used. Being involved in the world affords greater environmental stimulation to the developing brain, while at the same time, allowing baby to be protected from overstimulation.

And one last bonus reason – it’s nice for the person doing the baby wearing, too. Who doesn’t want to cuddle a baby? Positive touch releases endorphins and oxytocin – relaxing you and connecting you to your baby.

If you use a baby carrier, what’s your favorite thing about babywearing?

Written by Michelle, childbirth instructor, lactation consultant, and mother to 4 busy kids

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.

Babywearing is growing in popularity in the Western world. After decades of relying on prams, many parents are now enjoying more traditional ways of transporting their babies. When babywearing, your baby is snuggled happily against your body and you have your hands free to get on with life.

Babies who are regularly carried cry less. Babywearing can also aid with breastfeeding and encourage bonding between baby and caregiver. Keeping your baby close allows you to respond to early cues, and this may, in turn, help your parenting confidence to grow.

It’s also convenient. Having your baby nestled against your chest frees up your hands for other things. You can prepare a sandwich, send an email or do your weekly shop, all with your baby happily tucked up on your chest. Of course, it also keeps your baby’s head at the perfect height for you to be able to sniff at will, so enjoy that gorgeous newborn smell while it lasts.

If you’re new to babywearing, the variety of slings on offer can seem pretty daunting. How do you know which one is right for you? Here are a few ways to find out:

1. Find your local sling library

Many towns now have a local sling library which loans out slings and carriers for people to try. You’ll be able to speak to a babywearing expert, learn how to fasten the slings, and even take one home to try it out for a few weeks. This will give you the opportunity to try out a wide range of slings until you find the one that’s right for you. It also means you can save your hard-earned pennies for the real deal. It’s also a great way of meeting other like-minded mamas, so worth popping along even if you already have a sling.

2. Ask for advice

Thanks to the recent surge in babywearing parents, you may have a few friends experienced in the ways of the wrap. Ask them for advice. They may even be able to lend you a spare sling to try out, or give you a quick lesson in how to use it.

3. Look online

If you don’t have any babywearing friends and can’t find a sling library nearby, you may need to get your inspiration online. There are plenty of bloggers who review slings, so you should be able to work out which sort of carrier will work best for you. If you’re unsure how to tie a sling, YouTube is a great place to find tutorials.

4. Go for it

Once you’ve decided upon the type of sling you like best, whether that’s a stretchy wrap, a woven wrap or a structured baby carrier, it’s time to invest. Slings come in all kinds of colors and patterns, so find one you truly love.

Which sling do you use to carry your baby?

Written by Fiona (@Fiona_Peacock), mother, writer and lover of all things baby related.

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a trained medical doctor. Health & Parenting Ltd disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information, which is provided to you on a general information basis only and not as a substitute for personalized medical advice. All contents copyright © Health & Parenting Ltd 2016. All rights reserved.