Babywearing is nothing new, women have been wearing their babies for generations the world over. Long before prams were invented, women were carrying their babies using lengths of fabric as makeshift carriers. Far from being the new craze the media would have you believe, babywearing is a tried and tested  parenting method to make life a little bit easier once the baby arrives. There are plenty of reasons to try babywearing, here are just five of them:

1. You won’t have to leave your baby crying – listening to your newborn baby scream because he needs you is awful. If you have a clingy baby (they all are, at times) and you need a bathroom, you have two choices. You can either leave your baby to cry while you feel guilty on the toilet, or you can cross your legs tightly until your partner gets home to help out. Or, secret option number three, you can stick your baby in the carrier, and go about your daily business as usual.

2. You’ll be hands free – babies just love being carried, and cuddled and played with. Your baby may not be overly keen on being put down, so you’ll probably find yourself carrying him around the house with you anyway. You will learn to do pretty much everything with just one hand, for example, make cups of tea, open jars and pack the nappy bag. Or, you could stick your baby in the carrier, and have the luxury of two hands.

3. Your baby is nearer to the action – babies in prams and pushchairs are a little out of the way. If he is parent-facing, he will enjoy listening to you, but probably won’t be able to see much of what you see. If he is forward-facing, he will miss out on the conversation (and opportunities for language skills development) and will see a knee-height view of the world. In a sling, he would be able to hear what you’re saying, engage with the same people as you, and be able to see the same things.

4. Your baby will have his creature comforts to hand – after nine long months in the womb, your baby likes the sound of your heartbeat, the rhythm of your voice, the smell of your skin, and the warmth of your body. Your baby wants to be with you as much as possible to help him feel safe and confident in new environments. If you’re breastfeeding, you may find you can breastfeed him in the carrier, meaning he’s exactly where he needs to be.

5. Why not? – if you’re not sure babywearing is for you, give it a go before discounting it as an option. There are lots of different types of carriers available, so you should be able to find one you feel comfortable using. Get in touch with your local sling library to book a consultation, an advisor will be able to help you try on different slings, and recommend which will be best for you and your baby.

Will you be giving babywearing a try?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

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 2017. All rights reserved.

For some parents, bonding begins in utero, and for some it happens instantly at birth. For others, it can take a few days for things to settle down enough for the bonding process to really begin, and some parents may find it takes a bit longer.

There are plenty of ways you can encourage the bonding process between yourself and your baby, here are a few tried and tested techniques:

1. Skin to skin – touch is a great way to bond with your baby. Research has found that skin to skin contact helps babies by regulating breathing, stimulating digestion, regulating body temperature, and stimulating feeding behaviour. It has been found to help mothers relax, and to trigger the hormones of breastfeeding. Make sure you spend some time enjoying skin to skin contact.
2. Alone time – there’s probably a line of friends and family queuing up outside your door, but try to postpone them by a few days. Spend a some time bonding as a new family, and getting used to each other before you invite other people to meet your newborn.
3. Use your voice – your baby recognises your voice from his time in the womb. You may have noticed that, even at just a few hours old, he will turn his head to you whenever he hears you talk. The sound of your voice might even be enough to soothe him when he cries, so make the most of this ability and chat away throughout the day.
4. And your ears – talking is great, but listen, too. Your baby might not be able to talk just yet, but that doesn’t mean he’s not communicating. He may smile when happy, shy away when he doesn’t want a massage, or suck his thumb when he’s hungry. Through these actions, he is communicating with you. By learning to interpret your baby’s early attempts at communication, you can help him to learn the value of communicating – something you’ll be thankful of in the future. You may also learn to pick up on his early feeding cues, and be able to feed him before he starts to cry from hunger.
5. Feeding time – mealtimes are the perfect time to bond with your baby. If you’re breastfeeding, feed as often as your baby indicates he would like to. Feed frequently, and make eye contact with and talk to him as you do. The hormones associated with breastfeeding are said to encourage the bonding process too. If you’re bottle feeding, you can still use feeds as valuable bonding time. Talk to and make eye contact with your baby throughout the feed. Some parents decide that only they will feed their baby, to stop visitors from stealing that valuable bonding opportunity.
6. Close enough to kiss – you may have noticed that your newborn cries whenever he is put down, that’s because he wants to be close to you. Using a sling is a great way of keeping everyone happy. You’re happy because you have your hands free to get on with other things, and the baby is happy because he knows he’s safe with you. Dad can get in on the babywearing action too – it’s a great way for him to bond with the baby.
7. Massage – massaging your baby is a great way to promote bonding and closeness. You can incorporate a massage into your daily routine. Baby massage may also help to improve your confidence in your mothering abilities as you learn to communicate with your newborn. Massage is also said to help with colic, sleep and wind (gas) in babies. There are baby massage courses across the country that will equip you with the skills and confidence to massage your baby.

How do you plan to bond with your baby?

Written by Fiona, proud owner of a toddler, @fiona_peacock

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.

First of all, you should never actually try to juggle with a toddler and a newborn. The toddler is way too heavy for you to catch easily in one hand and the newborn doesn’t have the neck strength for life as a juggling ball just yet. Joking aside, looking after a toddler and a newborn at the same time isn’t always easy, in fact, some days it may feel pretty impossible. You will have times where the newborn naps allowing you to spend quality time with your toddler, and other times where the toddler plays happily by himself allowing you to breastfeed in peace. But you’ll also face the struggle of keeping both your young children happy despite their varying needs. Here are some top tips to help you through:

1. Invest in a doll

Toddlers are just learning how to play, and a doll is a great way for them to learn the ins and outs of imaginative play. Your toddler will be able to mimic the way you care for the baby. You can even buy some accessories such as diapers and a pram to accompany the doll, so your child can really enjoy the responsibilities of being a parent.

2. Get a sling

A sling could be a complete lifesaver for you as you try to balance the needs of two children. A sling will allow your newborn to nap happily against your chest and leave your arms free to engage in some play with your toddler. Some toddlers feel jealous of the new baby, but a sling will allow you to ensure the toddler is still getting plenty of one-on-one attention throughout the day.

3. Create a breastfeeding box

Just as you might create a breastfeeding station for yourself with magazines, the TV remote and a bottle of water, you should now create one for your toddler. Have a selection of toys, books and snacks nearby so you can keep your toddler happy during breastfeeds. Storybooks make for a great distraction and are a simple way to keep your toddler happy during long feeds.

4. Get your toddler involved

Your toddler may feel happier if she feels involved in the baby’s life. Let her help you out whenever possible. She can get diapers, wipes or other things from across the room. She can also help to play with the baby with you and will learn a lot from seeing you interact with the newborn.

5. Be positive

What we say has a big impact on how children feel. Think about the way you talk about being a big sister, does it sound like an important and fun job or something that comes with a lot of expectations? Try to speak positively about the sibling relationship and make sure your toddler knows how valued she is as a big sister. Do you have any tips for keeping a toddler happy when there is a newborn in the house?

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.

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.