Confession. I have three strollers — much to my husband’s chagrin at the expense and space they take up in our garage — and I love all of them. They all have a totally different purpose and I’m glad I have them. But my favorite way to stroll with my little one doesn’t involve a stroller at all. It’s baby wearing. Little did I know that my ErgoBaby Carrier would be one of my all time favorite baby items. I take it everywhere, even when we take the stroller “just in case.” So I thought I would share a few awesome facts about baby wearing:
- It’s easy: Throw a wrap or sling in your baby bag and take it everywhere. No setting up a stroller, no taking elevator/ramp instead of stairs, easy to slip through crowds.
- Look ma, no hands!: You can be close to your little one and have two free hands. Let’s face it, half the time we’re out and about I end up taking my son out of the cart/stroller/etc. and carrying him anyway and pushing the stroller anyway, at least for a bit. When I wear him it’s never an issue.
- A happy baby: Proponents of baby wearing say babies who are worn a couple hours a day are calmer and cry less.
- Strengthen your bond: All that time in close proximity strengthens the parent baby bond and makes you more in touch with their needs.
- Less fussing while out: With a baby just under your chin it’s easier to know what they need and quickly respond when out and about.
- Multitasking mama: Baby wearing means I can care for my little one AND get things done. Whether it’s a brisk walk, shopping or even dishes and laundry.
- Great for travel: I’ve worn my baby in a wrap and Ergo carrier through airports, museums, aquariums, busy downtown areas, farmer’s markets and even on a halibut fishing charter tour.
- No cheek pinching: Ladies always touching your baby’s hands and face in the grocery store and sharing their germs with your little sweet cheeks? While many people seem to have no problem crossing into a baby’s personal bubble, they are far less apt to touch a baby snuggled up under your chin in mama-bear’s personal space. And it’s easier to step away or put your hands between them and per-immunization newborn.
- The view is great: Wearing a baby puts them at the caregiver’s eye level allowing them an excellent view of the world and learning ground during everyday activities.
- Small talk: Having a baby that close makes it easy to chat and tell them about what you are seeing and doing. Talking, reading and singing to your baby are key to speech development.
- All shapes and sizes: There are a zillion different wraps, carriers, slings and baby backpacks out there to suit almost any shape, size and lifestyle.
- Nurse that baby: Close physical contact is key to establishing a good breastfeeding relationship in the beginning. Also, many baby carriers can be adjusted to a nursing position to help a mom discreetly feed her baby on the go.
- Coping with colic: Some babies experience hours of unexplained crying in the early months where the only thing a parent can do is hold and sooth the baby for hours in the evening. Baby wearing can help parents and newborns cope with this difficult time.
Before you hop on the baby wearing bandwagon, please, educate yourself on safe practices. Use the acronym TICKS:
TIGHT
IN VIEW AT ALL TIMES
CLOSE ENOUGH TO KISS
KEEP CHIN OFF THE CHEST
SUPPORTED BACK
Here’s a great PDF with illustrations from the School of Babywearing.
Find out more about baby wearing safety at babywearinginternational.org.
Mom Outside the Margins 