BabyWearing All About Safety Tips, Benefits and How To Use

Babywearing is a traditional practice in the world and is one of the greatest inventions for a parent. It is a term used to describe the act of carrying a baby in a fabric sling or carrier. Babywearing helps you get things done while holding your baby without any added stress to your back or arms. But, have you heard about all the babywearing benefits? Do you want to know about safety measures related to babywearing? If yes, then you are in right place. To begin trying out the best babywearing, here’s everything you need to know about safety tips, benefits, and how to get started!

What is BabyWearing?

Babywearing is a practice in which an infant is worn in a carrier that enables the wearer to move freely. It gives babies a sense of security, comfort, and closeness that they wouldn’t otherwise get. As a parent, you are probably tempted to carry your child around with you at all times! Babywearing is a great way to hold your baby close and still allowing you to get stuff done around the house or outside during the day.

Babywearing has become a popular practice among new moms and dads who enjoy connecting with their children and spending as much time as possible with them. Parents love babywearing because it lets them do things done while caring for their baby, and it helps to improve bonding with their baby! With best babywearing, mothers enjoy caring for an infant, as well as love to have one-on-one time with their baby.

• Babywearing Guidelines
• The Benefits of BabyWearing
• When babies start wearing
• Tips for Wearing a Baby Carrier
• How to wear a baby carrier
• Baby carrier for a newborn
• How to twins baby wear
• Types of Baby Carrier
• Know Before Buy Baby Carrier
• Choose the Best Baby Carrier
• Quick Tips for Best Baby Carrier

Babywearing for Beginners Complete Guidelines

Babywearing is a growing trend that is gaining in popularity every day. It’s easy to see why, because it’s a great way to connect with your baby without any hassle in your daily life routine. However, babywearing may look like a challenging task and might not sound like a good idea at first. But once you start practicing it you will realize that it is the easiest way to keep your baby close to you along with serving numerous babywearing benefits.

So, you are thinking of giving babywearing a try but not sure where to begin? We are here to help! The first thing to consider for a baby-wearing newborn is to choose the type of carrier you want for your baby. Many parents find it difficult to decide which carrier is going to be the best for their baby. . Well, picking a type of carrier depends upon the preference and comfort of parents and the infant. Babywearing Wrap, Slings, Soft-structured carriers are some common types of babywearing. Further, parents should pay extra attention to the safety Babywearing tips to ensure that they are practicing babywearing correctly and safely. Rest, a babywearing offers a ton of benefits that make parent life hassle-free.

Here are the top 10 benefits of babywearing:

• Babywearing Promotes Health of the Baby
• Babywearing Aids in Breastfeeding
• Babywearing Encourages Happy Time
• Babywearing Reduce Risk of Flat Head Syndrome
• Babywearing Helps in Bonding
• Babywearing Ensures Baby’s Safety
• Babywearing is Good for Overall Well-being
• Babywearing Helps to Avoid Spinal Deformities
• Babywearing is Easy
• Babywearing Allows Ease of Travelling

1. Babywearing Promotes Health of the Baby

Babywearing is believed to improve a baby’s health and can help in a variety of conditions, from soothing a fussy baby to help to control physiological functions such as heart rate, body temperature, and breathing rate. The warmth of a mother’s body, her smell, and her voice is all part of the comfort a baby requires to grow up feeling strong and secure. Besides, babywearing is beneficial for premature babies.

2. Babywearing Aids in Breastfeeding

Babywearing is beneficial to both the baby and the parent, and it can also assist with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding can be a difficult task for busy mothers. There are many obstacles to tackle, whether due to a lack of time or expertise. Investing in a good baby carrier, on the other hand, is one of the easiest ways to tackle these obstacles. Babywearing makes it easier for you to carry your baby and get him/her to latch on. When you carry your baby in a baby-wearing carrier, you stay informed about his/her cues of hunger. Thus, you can start feeding them with ease without waiting for them to cry.

3. Babywearing Encourages Happy Time

Babies cry for a lot of reasons, but the most common reason is that they want to be held. Babywearing is an excellent way to hold your baby close and comfort him or her when they are frustrated in the first few months. However, babywearing does not guarantee to put an end to crying but will help reduce it to a great extent. According to research, babies who are held cry less than those who are put in a bouncer, swing, or car seat. It is not just because they are safe, but it is because they are happy.

4. Babywearing Reduce Risk of Flat Head Syndrome

One of the main reasons why many parents choose babywearing is to help reduce the risk of Flat Head Syndrome. Flathead syndrome, also called plagiocephaly, is a condition characterized by an abnormal skull shape caused by prolonged pressure on the baby’s head. The flat head syndrome occurs when a child spends too much time in a car seat, swing, or stroller and not enough time being carried upright. However, this does not happen with the babies who are carried in babywearing carriers. Research says that carrying babies in carries encourages the natural development of their skull.

5. Babywearing Helps in Bonding

As a way of caring for and bonding with your infant, babywearing is becoming increasingly popular. It is a fantastic way to spend time with your kids. As you spend more time with your little one, you come to know him/her better and faster. You begin to understand how the baby reacts to everything happening around him or her by noticing their movements inside the carrier. By maintaining close contact with the baby, you provide the baby with warmth and comfort that is much needed in the initial months of the baby’s life. Hence, we can say that babywearing is a great way to help strengthen the bond between parents and their children.

6. Babywearing Ensures Baby’s Safety

As a parent, you are responsible for the safety of your baby in all facets. Walking around with a baby for the whole day to ensure his or her can be tough. Babies want to be held and they cannot be left alone even for a second. But not with babywearing. When you carry your baby with you, while executing your daily tasks, you will have peace of mind that your baby is safe. Apart from the fact that a baby feels secure when they are held and carried, they also get to hear the parent’s heartbeat and get the smell of the parent.

7. Babywearing is Good for Overall Well-being

Babywearing has a wealth of potential benefits, but the most important one is your baby’s overall health and well-being. When you do your daily work by carrying the baby with you, the baby also gets involved in the work unknowingly. They react to things happening around them and it leads to a sense of social and cognitive development. For babies, wearing is an experience that encourages physical, psychological, and emotional development. Babywearing benefits ensure overall comfort of the child, it helps to improved mental development, increased parent-child interaction, decreased crying, a decreased chance of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

8. Babywearing Helps to Avoid Spinal Deformities

The spinal deformity is caused by the misalignment of vertebrae in the spinal column which is also known as the backbone. Babywearing, according to studies, is a good way to help your baby’s spine develop properly. Besides, according to a study published in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health holding babies upright and carrying them in slings or carriers can help prevent spinal deformities. Your baby’s spine is supported and not squeezed while they’re wearing the right carrier. Thus, there would be no deformities if there is no pressure. Moreover, babywearing is an efficient way to reduce a baby’s risk of nerve damage, muscle weakness, and motor skill delays.

9. Babywearing is Easy

If you are a first-time parent or have many children, babywearing is a great tool to have in your parenting essentials. It can be used at any time and in any place, and it is inexpensive. With ease, babywearing allows parents to free up their hands for work or other activities while still keeping an eye on their child. Baby carriers are such a safe and convenient way to care for your child. It makes chores around the house easier, keeps you close to your child, and gives you the freedom to get things done while caring for your baby.

10. Babywearing Allows Ease of Travelling

Traveling with a baby can be challenging and stressful. It can be a nightmare if your child is continuously fussing when you are traveling. A baby carrier helps you to hold your infant in a natural position close to your body, meeting all of his or her needs right away. It enables you to travel around with your child securely and comfortably, whether on vacation or a day trip. Babywearing helps you to reduce the efforts and time involved in pushing the stroller or the pram while you go routine shopping or anywhere else.

When can babies start wearing?

There are many parents out there who are not sure when to start babywearing. Well, there’s not a wrong time and there’s not a right time. The simple answer to this is that the time to start babywearing depends upon the choice of parents. Some start practicing babywearing from day one. On the other hand, some parents wait months or even years.

Depending on personal preferences, comfort, and requirements, you can begin babywearing. Many couples start babywearing from the day of birth to establish a strong bond with their little one. However, some parents hesitate to follow it for few initial weeks after the birth of the baby. All of this is fine, but what you should keep in mind to you follow proper safety babywearing tips for the well-being of the baby.

Here are the top 7 Safety Tips for Wearing a Baby Carrier:

• 1. Position the Baby Properly
• 2. Ensure Breathing Space
• 3. Keep Checking
• 4. Practice is Must
• 5. Be Careful with Surroundings
• 6. Support the Head
• 7. Follow TICKS

1. Position the Baby Properly

If you are planning on wearing your baby in a carrier for an extended period, the baby must be properly positioned. Make sure that the knees of the baby are higher than the bottom. Also, to ensure the development of a backbone spread the baby’s leg. Moreover, the type of carrier you are using is another factor responsible to confirm proper positioning and comfort. Thus, you must choose a carrier with an ergonomic design and proper support for your infant.

2. Ensure Breathing Space

When wearing your baby, make sure there is plenty of space between the carrier, breast, and back. This will ensure that your baby’s airways remain unblocked. Your baby’s face should not be covered with fabric and you will need to check that there is adequate space around the child’s head. Especially infants are carried in inward-facing position, thus make sure your chest is not blocking their passage to breath.

3. Keep Checking

Even if you have positioned the baby in the carrier properly, it is suggested to keep checking the baby. Keep an eye on your baby to notice any discomfort during babywearing. Also, always before placing the baby in the carrier to check if the carrier’s harness, buckles are in the proper condition or not. Adjust them according to comfort.

4. Practice is Must

If you are a first-time parent, then babywearing is a new experience for you and of course for the baby as well. You are not habitual of carrying the baby with you and doing daily work. It is for this reason that practicing babywearing is very important. Before you plan to take the baby outdoor or for traveling with babywearing, practice it at home on a soft surface. It will help you to avoid any mishappening and you will be more confident when you will take the baby outside the house.

5. Be Careful with Surroundings

Initially, you are not used to babywearing, and you may forget that you are wearing your baby wherever you are going. It might not sound real, but it happens sometimes. By mistake, you might bang into things that might harm the baby. Thus, be extra careful about your steps and movements while carrying the baby. Also, be alert if you are working in the kitchen, maintain the proper distance from the stove for keeping the baby safe.

6. Support the Head

Especially when you are carrying an infant, do not forget to provide support to his head. As the infants cannot hold their heads on their own. Thus, it is necessary to provide support. Also, note that the best babywearing position for an infant is the inward-facing type. While breastfeeding you might have to change the position, but makes sure you hold him back in the proper position after it.

7. Follow TICKS

TICKS Stands for, T- Tight (Fit the carrier tightly always), I- In view at all times (Make sure baby’s face is visitable to you), C- Close enough to kiss (Your baby should be close to you), K- Keep chin off chest (Allow breathing space between baby’s face and your chest), S-supported Back (Avoid baby’s leaning back and provide support). These are the basic safety measures to follow for a healthy and happy babywearing.

How to wear a baby carrier?

Babies love to be close to their moms, so a baby carrier makes it possible for you to snuggle with your little one. Using a baby carrier for the first time can be awkward for some people. If you are going to use one, you must first read the wearing instructions given by the manufacturer. For a better understanding, you can choose to learn babywearing steps from professional classes or by watching tutorials on the web. Moreover, let us know the right way to wear a baby wrap:

How to use a baby carrier for a newborn?

• Step 1: The ideal position for wearing the newborn baby is the inward-facing position. However, make sure there are no medical conditions with the baby.
• Step 2: Spread your baby’s hips so that their legs straddle your body.
• Step 3: Keep the baby’s knees spread apart.
• Step 4: Support the baby’s thighs and bent the hips.
• Step 5: Make sure the face of your baby is visible to you.

Note: Do not hold the baby in a sling with both hips together, as it increases the chances of hip dysplasia.

How to baby wear with twins?

Having twins is a whole different ball game. It is twice the diapers, twice the bottles, and twice the crying! However, not to worry! To make it easy for you, there are carriers available in the market. Yes, you can carry both your little ones outside with ease. For this, many parents opt for two soft structured carriers. They simply carry one baby in front and the other baby in the back. However, there are other carriers as well that will allow you to carry the twins on the front side only. You can choose any of them depending on your convenience and the comfort of the baby.

• 1. Soft Babywearing wrap
• 2. Soft Structured Carrier
• 3. Meh Dai Baby Carriers
• 4. Ring Sling Baby Carriers
• 5. Backpack Baby Carriers

1. Soft Babywearing wrap

Talking about baby carriers, one common choice is a wrap. It is a fabric that is long enough to wrap around your body in various ways and hold your baby close to you. Some wraps are thick, while others are thin; some are stretchier than others and they can be worn in a variety of ways. With such a huge variety of options, babywearing wrap provides an excellent way to safely and happily carry your child with you. However, in the beginning, you may find it a little difficult to wrap it properly, but as you will practice, you will become a pro in it.

Benefits:

• Great for newborns
• Also works as a nursing cover
• Adjustable
• Available in multiple options

2. Soft Structured Carrier

One of the safest ways to wear your baby is in a soft structured carrier. It is available in several options in the market and will be a comfortable, safe, and simple to use carrier. This type of carrier is on the list of many parents as they find it easy to use. These carriers come with a padded shoulder strap and a waistband. When you fasten the band around your waist it makes a pouch for the baby. Further, the straps are flexible so that you can adjust them and make sure that the baby is comfortable inside them.

Benefits:

• Durable
• Easy-to-use
• Provide comfort
• Good for baby’s body posture

3. Meh Dai Baby Carriers

This type of carrier is somewhat similar to soft structured carriers. They have a wide, padded waistband and a shoulder strap that connects to the waistband. You need to tie these carriers around your body with the help of shoulder and waist straps. As compared to wrap baby carriers, Meh Dai carriers are a little less complex and easy to wear. Another advantage that these carriers offer is that they can be worn on the front, back, and hip. They are recommended for use with children who are at least six months old and able to hold their heads up on their own.

Benefits:

• Padded Straps
• Available in a variety of options
• Comfortable for caregivers
• Great for toddlers

4. Ring Sling Baby Carriers

The Ring Sling is a simple yet elegant baby carrier that offers a lot of versatility to parents and children. These carriers are also made up of fabrics and are worn on one shoulder. With ring slings, you can wear your baby on your hip or in front whichever way you find comfortable. There is no wrapping or tying of any kind, and once you get used to how they work, they are a cinch to use. However, ring slings are not stretchable. Though ring slings are popular, many parents avoid using them because all the pressure lies on a single shoulder.

Benefits:

• Convenient
• Versatile
• Easily adjustable
• Supports breastfeeding

5. Backpack Baby Carriers

When traveling with your kids, a backpack baby carrier is an ideal solution. When traveling with a baby, you do not want to be lugging around a bulky car seat, stroller, and other items. Here, the only restriction to use backpack baby carriers is that they are bulky and can only be used for babies who can hold their neck and their position on their own. These types of carriers ensure that there is the proper weight distribution of the baby. So, if you are planning to go for a long walk with your baby or hiking, then backpack carriers are a suitable fit for you.

Benefits:

• Best for traveling
• Have storage Pockets
• Adjustable length
• Foldable

What do you need to Know Before Buy Baby Carrier?

Choosing the right baby carrier or wrap is essential to ensuring that you can enjoy your baby and take part in your everyday life with ease. . Undoubtedly there are so many options to choose from, but not all of them are suitable for everyone. You must pick one that will allow you to carry your baby comfortably, while still allowing the two of you to move around as needed.

Before you make the final decision make sure that you have considered all the essential parameters. You must pay attention to measures like the age of the baby, the baby’s weight, the comfort of carrying the carriers, how long are you planning to use the carriers, do they fit into your budget, are the products worth their cost, etc.

• 1. Consider the Size
• 2. Give Preference to Comfort
• 3. Keep Durability in Mind
• 4. Must be Easy to Use
• 5. Explore & Research Multiple Options

1. Consider the Size

It is critically important for the health and safety of both you and your baby that you get the right size carrier. Baby carriers come in different sizes to accommodate babies of different sizes. The most common sizes are newborn, infant, toddler, and one-size-fits-all. If you buy the wrong size, your baby would not be able to use it comfortably. You must determine whether or not the baby carrier is adjustable. It would be preferable to have a flexible and multipurpose one.

2. Give Preference to Comfort

Comfort is a top priority when it comes to baby carriers. It is important to find a carrier that is comfortable to wear and is not too bulky or restrictive. Choose the baby carrier that does not harm the baby’s posture and provides complete relaxation to the baby. Moreover, padded straps are preferred over conventional straps for the comfort of the wearer. If the carrier is uncomfortable, your baby may get irritated and will resist staying in it for a longer period. Thus, a comfortable carrier will keep your baby happy and you at ease.

3. Keep Durability in Mind

When buying a baby carrier, another thing to remember is how long you want it to last. Some baby carriers are more durable than others, so they may be more expensive. To pick the best babywearing, you will have to evaluate the carrier’s overall reliability, including the harness and any buckles. Particularly if you are planning to use the same carrier for many years, you must invest in durable options, rather than inexpensive ones.

4. Must be Easy to Use

Different types of the baby carrier have a different way of wearing, involves a different level of complexity to wear. Thus, choose the one that you find to be easy and safe for the baby. Before you purchase the babywearing wrap, read the instructions to know how to wear it. This way, you will be able to know if it is a convenient fit for you or not. Also, check for the ease of putting and taking the baby off the carriers before buying. Go for the options that are simple to buckle and also easy to clean as with a baby it can be messy sometimes.

5. Explore & Research Multiple Options

Whether you are looking for the best baby carrier for hiking, or you are trying to find a carrier that will keep your baby comfortable while traveling it is always wise, to research different options. Of course, knowing what the right baby carrier is without trying it out is difficult. But you may still conduct research and evaluate various options to determine which is the best choice for you. Consider the factors like usability, quality, safety, comfort, keep your budget & safety tips for babywearing in mind and shortlist the options that fit into it.

Quick Tips to Choose Best Baby Carrier:

• The first thing to consider while buying the baby carriers is the age of the baby and the purpose of using it.
• While purchasing the baby carrier, make sure that the product supports essential Safety Tips for Babywearing.
• Do try the baby carriers before buying to ensure durability and performance.
• Make sure that whichever baby carrier you choose is comfortable for the baby and as well as for you.
• While buying the best babywearing, keep essential features in mind like adaptability, fabric quality, harness stuff, straps material, etc.
• For ease, opt for machine washable baby carriers to save your time and efforts.
• Whenever you shortlist the suitable options keep your budget in mind.
• Go for high-quality and padded straps to ensure comfort in the long run.
• Before making the final purchase, do read the instructions manual to understand properly about the features.
• Compare among the wide variety of options for buying the best babywearing
• The baby carriers that are made up of stretchable material are more likely to serve for a longer period.
• Even if the baby carrier is machine washable, avoid washing it too often. Wash only when it is required.
• Make sure that the baby carrier pouch does not create a suffocating space for the baby. The material of the baby carrier should be breathable.
• The carrier should not be too tight, or too loose to ensure the safety of the baby.

FAQ:

Conclusion:

The benefits of babywearing extend beyond just carrying your child. Babywearing is an exciting and bonding experience for both parent and child. It is a way to keep your baby close to you, which assists with the baby’s development and emotional well-being. Babywearing offers comfort and convenience to both you and your baby. It gives the baby a sense of safety, comfort, and closeness to parents. However, at the same time, we should not skip following proper safety Babywearing tips. You can choose any type of baby carrier like wraps, woven wraps, soft structured, etc., but make sure whatever you choose is comfortable for the baby. We hope that reading this article has helped you to gain enough knowledge about Babywearing Benefits and the process to choose the best babywearing for your little munchkin.