By Jan de Lange

If you’ve ever been in a busy shopping centre or taken afternoon walks in your local park over weekend, chances are you’ve seen at least one parent with their baby strapped to their body. This is called baby wearing and people have been doing it for about as long as they’ve been making babies. Baby wearing can be done with newborns and toddlers alike and is a great option to have at your disposal whether you’re at home or on the go.

Benefits of baby wearing

One of the main benefits of baby wearing is closeness. This is especially valuable during the fourth trimester and is a fantastic way of promoting bonding with your newborn. Wearing your baby in a carrier helps them feel your body heat, hear your heartbeat, and literally being strapped to your body is the closest they’ve been to a return to the womb since birth. All of this makes baby wearing a powerful way of comforting your little one when they are feeling overwhelmed or are just having a bad day. Dads can also wear baby, and this is, in fact, a lovely way for them to get some close cuddle time with baby to give mom a bit of a much-needed break. The bonus of baby wearing is that your hands are free to do other things!

Types of baby carriers

There are many different types of baby carriers. The one you choose will depend on the age of your child, your budget, body type and personal preferences. Be sure to choose something comfortable and familiarise yourself with how to put it on and strap your baby in securely. 

• Soft wrap: this wrapping cloth is usually made from a cotton blend with either Lycra or Spandex and is as a result, is both breathable and stretchy. Use one of these to wrap your baby against your body. Soft wraps can be tricky to use so consider joining an online forum or Facebook group and watching some YouTube videos to make sure you get the tie just right.
• Ring sling: This sturdy, woven fabric carrier is worn over one shoulder and forms a pocket by your abdomen. These are very simple, easy to use and compact. They can put a lot of strain on the shoulder carrying baby’s weight if worn for too long, though.
• Soft structured baby carriers: These are one of the most commonly seen carriers. They are designed to be ergonomic and adjustable, and use a combination of straps, clips and padding to get the perfect fit. Many of these can be worn on the front, side and back. They often also come in different sizes for different age groups.

Safety

When done correctly baby wearing is very safe, provided your baby doesn’t have a prohibitive medical condition. The biggest safety considerations are ensuring your baby can’t fall, can’t possibly have their breathing obstructed and that there is no strain on their joints. So, strap your baby on tight. Make sure you can always see your baby. This helps you keep an eye on their breathing and allows you to be aware of their mood. Always ensure that they are close enough to kiss and move them higher up if need be. Constantly check that their chin is not touching their chest, keeping a gap of about two fingers wide. Make sure their backs and legs are supported. Be careful not to overtighten it: While you want the carrier tight enough that baby’s body is always touching yours, make sure you can still get your hand in the carrier.

Baby wearing has great practical benefits for parents while also being very good for babies. It can take some getting used to initially but as long as you are mindful of their safety, with practice baby wearing can be an amazing way of keeping your baby close while your busy at home, or when you want to take them on adventures out in the world.