Carrying your baby on your person in a baby carrier is often called "babywearing".
There are many types of carrier available to new parents, including wraps (a long piece of cloth that you tie around yourself and your baby), slings (which go over one shoulder and are often adjustable), as well as front- and back-pack carriers.
There are benefits to using these carriers for both you and your baby.
Babywearing helps foster a close bond between mother (or dad!) and child.
When you carry your infant, you are close to him.
It's like a permanent hug - and who doesn't love hugging a baby? Also, because your baby is so close, you can't help but notice him more, meaning that you become quickly aware of his hunger cues and other needs.
You become very in tune to his signals.
Babywearing calms babies.
It relaxes them because they feel safe and secure when they are with their parent.
If a mom carries her baby on her chest, he can hear her heartbeat, which is a comforting sound since he heard it in the womb.
Putting the baby in the carrier and going out for a walk is a great way to soothe him - the combination of the bounce in your steps and his closeness to you is a great sleep inducer.
Babywearing helps stimulate your child's physical and mental development.
Babies in carriers are generally held upright, meaning if that they are awake, they are using their neck and back muscles to help support themselves.
This strengthens these muscles and helps develop head control.
Also, being upright and close to mom's eye level provides a much more stimulating environment for baby than being flat on his back in the stroller, looking at the sky.
He gets to see the world and hear his mother's voice.
Babywearing can make a parent's life easier.
Many activities are difficult to perform when you have to lug a stroller with you.
A flight of stairs becomes an insurmountable barrier.
Taking public transit can be a nightmare.
Using a carrier makes it easier to negotiate crowded or awkward spaces.
Using a carrier also lets you have your hands free, allowing you to get things done while holding your baby.
In short, babywearing is good for babies, and convenient for parents.
It helps with your relationship with your baby, with your baby's psychological development, and with your ability to easily navigate your environment.
There are many types of carrier available to new parents, including wraps (a long piece of cloth that you tie around yourself and your baby), slings (which go over one shoulder and are often adjustable), as well as front- and back-pack carriers.
There are benefits to using these carriers for both you and your baby.
Babywearing helps foster a close bond between mother (or dad!) and child.
When you carry your infant, you are close to him.
It's like a permanent hug - and who doesn't love hugging a baby? Also, because your baby is so close, you can't help but notice him more, meaning that you become quickly aware of his hunger cues and other needs.
You become very in tune to his signals.
Babywearing calms babies.
It relaxes them because they feel safe and secure when they are with their parent.
If a mom carries her baby on her chest, he can hear her heartbeat, which is a comforting sound since he heard it in the womb.
Putting the baby in the carrier and going out for a walk is a great way to soothe him - the combination of the bounce in your steps and his closeness to you is a great sleep inducer.
Babywearing helps stimulate your child's physical and mental development.
Babies in carriers are generally held upright, meaning if that they are awake, they are using their neck and back muscles to help support themselves.
This strengthens these muscles and helps develop head control.
Also, being upright and close to mom's eye level provides a much more stimulating environment for baby than being flat on his back in the stroller, looking at the sky.
He gets to see the world and hear his mother's voice.
Babywearing can make a parent's life easier.
Many activities are difficult to perform when you have to lug a stroller with you.
A flight of stairs becomes an insurmountable barrier.
Taking public transit can be a nightmare.
Using a carrier makes it easier to negotiate crowded or awkward spaces.
Using a carrier also lets you have your hands free, allowing you to get things done while holding your baby.
In short, babywearing is good for babies, and convenient for parents.
It helps with your relationship with your baby, with your baby's psychological development, and with your ability to easily navigate your environment.
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