Baby Wearing: Top Benefits & Tips for Tying Your Baby Wrap
For centuries, moms have sought out baby wearing as one of the most convenient ways to keep their babies warm, safe, and closeby. Whether you’re on the go running errands and don’t want to bring the stroller along for the trip, or you’re taking care of household chores and your baby wants attention, baby wearing offers the perfect opportunity to take care of your baby and keep your hands free.
There are a few different types of baby carriers to consider, such as:
- A soft wrap. This is a stretchy piece of fabric that wraps around your baby. Since a soft wrap uses a thin piece of fabric, it’s more appropriate for newborns and younger babies.
- A woven wrap. Similar to a soft wrap, a woven wrap uses a long piece of fabric that wraps around the body, but it offers more structure. This is ideal for larger babies and toddlers, according to Healthline.
- A ring sling. This type of carrier is made of sturdy fabric. It’s worn on one shoulder and creates a pocket for your baby to fit inside. This type of carrier is ideal for smaller babies—as your baby grows, the pressure on your shoulder may become uncomfortable.
- A structured carrier. A structured carrier is designed with straps, buckles, and padded fabric to carry your child. This type of carrier is great for children of a wide age range, and can generally carry children of up to 60 pounds.
But convenience isn’t the only benefit of keeping your baby closest to your body—it comes with a slew of other benefits for both of you. Read on to learn more about the benefits of baby wearing, plus some simple tips and tricks on how to wrap a baby sling or carrier.
5 Benefits of Baby Wearing
Baby wearing offers a simple transition into the world for babies, encouraging a similar sensation to life in the womb as they cling tightly to your chest. Here are some of the greatest benefits of baby wearing.
1. Nurture Your Connection and Make Baby Feel Safe
Skin-to-skin contact, also known as kangaroo care, is one of the easiest ways to strengthen the bond between you and your baby. But even without skin-to-skin contact, the feeling of togetherness and security that a baby feels in the carrier position can work wonders for nurturing your connection.
The American Academy of Pediatrics also suggests that baby wearing is one of the recommended ways to get your baby to stop crying and prevent crying altogether, making them feel safe and secure in your presence.
2. Keep Your Hands Free
Parenting is quite the journey, and your hands always seem to be wrapped up in something. Baby wearing allows you to keep your baby nearby while keeping your hands free to take care of other tasks around the house, or care for another child.
3. Gain Peace of Mind
With baby closer to your chest, you can have peace of mind that they’re safe and sound, especially while napping. This can reduce stress and help you feel more at ease as you ride the waves of parenting.
4. Encourage Growth and Learning
Once you’re ready to let baby face outward in their carrier, you can encourage them to learn about their environment and surroundings. Le Leche League International recommends waiting until baby has good neck control before they start facing outward, which is generally around the 5 to 6-month mark.
5. Nurse Baby Discreetly
If you’re a breastfeeding mother and you’re looking for more discretion while you’re feeding your baby on the go, a baby wearing wrap can help you feed your baby while covered.
How to Use a Baby Wrap: Tips and Tricks
Baby wearing can be extremely beneficial to you and your little one, but only when it’s done properly. Baby Sling Safety recommends following the T.I.C.K.S. rule for safety while baby wearing. This stands for:
- Tight. Your baby carrier should always be tight enough that it feels like you’re hugging your baby. If wrapped too loosely, this can impact your baby’s breathing and can also cause discomfort in your back.
- In view at all times. When you glance down, you should be able to see your baby’s face while in the carrier.
- Close enough to kiss. Keep baby’s head as close to your chin as comfortable as possible. If you can kiss your baby’s forehead with ease, baby is close enough.
- Keep chin off the chest. To avoid restricting baby’s breathing,
- Supported back. Your baby should always be in an upright position so that their back is properly supported—whether they are facing outward or inward.
Each type of baby carrier will come with its own set of instructions fit to meet its specific needs. Make sure to read through the instructions of your baby carrier carefully and thoroughly to ensure your baby remains safe, secure, and comfortable while it’s in use.
Other tips we find beneficial for baby wearing include:
- Knowing when to upgrade or retire baby wearing altogether. Read the instructions on your baby carrier to get a better understanding of its weight limits. Once your baby outgrows it, it’s time to upgrade or consider putting baby carriers in the past.
- Start with inward facing, and move to outward facing. At a young age, baby will feel more comfortable close to your heartbeat. Once your baby becomes more comfortable and aware of their surroundings, consider facing them outward to get a better understanding of their environment.
Find Other Ways to Bond with Baby
The bonding experience that comes with baby wearing is similar to breastfeeding—it’s an opportunity to connect with your little one in a way that nourishes the bond that you’ll share for life. If you’re looking for another way to foster bonding with your baby and celebrate your breastfeeding journey, consider a keepsake from our breastmilk jewelry collection.
At KeepsakeMom, we create breastmilk jewelry as a way for mom to cherish the time spent closest to the baby and beyond. Showcasing the perfect combination of beauty and meaning, each unique piece of breastmilk jewelry we create is designed to showcase a mother’s deeply personal experience through a universal symbol of love and connection.
Explore one-of-a-kind breastmilk jewelry at KeepsakeMom today.
