Baby Wearing, Wearing your baby is simply carrying your child with the use of a soft baby carrier so that you can hold your baby "hands free." There are many types of carriers available, but regardless of the kind you choose, there are many benefits of babywearing.
Smarter BabiesBabies that are carried spend a great deal of time in a state of quiet alertness. This is a period of intense learning and interaction. When babies are carried hey can be at the center of the action without being the center of attention. This allows them to hear the conversations and see the sites of the people around them. It also encourages adults to talk with the baby and point things out to them that they might not think to share with a child in a stroller. This increased exposure to language and social interaction can enhance a baby's cognitive development.
Improved AttachmentResearch has shown that infants who are carried in soft carriers are more attached to their mothers than a control group of infants. Maternal-infant attachment is more than just a warm fuzzy feeling. It is an important foundation for psychological development. Securely attached infants and toddlers demonstrate higher levels of social functioning later in life.
Happier BabiesBabies who are frequently held and carried cry 43% less than babies who are held only for feedings or in response to crying. In cultures where babywearing is the norm, there is no such thing as "colic." American researchers theorize that the "normal" crying of young infants could be greatly mitigated by a decrease in reliance on non-human baby holders such as strollers, swings and bouncy seats.
Happier MomsMothers suffering from postpartum depression and their babies can benefit from the closeness provided by babywearing. Mothers with PPD typically demonstrate decreased responsiveness to their babies. However when babies are worn, a mother's responsiveness increases which increases the attachment between mother and baby. This increased attachment helps boost a mother's confidence in her parenting which can mitigate some of her depression.
More Involved DadsBabywearing is an excellent way for dads to bond with their babies. When a dad holds his baby close the baby learns his dad's smell, the rhythm of his heart, the sound of his voice, the way he moves. Dad learns his baby's cues and how to respond appropriately. This responsiveness assures the baby that Dad is someone he can trust and depend on. Dads who wear their babies are often more confident and more involved in general baby care.
More Portable Babies Baby carriers can go where strollers can't - up and down stairs, on and off busses, up rocky mountainsides. It's much easier to wear your baby than to navigate a stroller through a crowded festival. Plus, babies who are held are generally more content than a baby in a stroller. This quiet contentment makes them welcome guests at museums, boutiques, weddings and other places where noisy babies aren't generally welcomed with open arms. Some mothers have even managed to take their babies to work!
In general, babywearing just makes life easier. When babies are held, they are happy. Wearing your baby allows you to "hold" your baby without hands. This leaves your hands free to wash some dishes, tend to an older child, hold a book, or sip a latte while strolling through the park. And most importantly, it keeps your tiny one close for the very short time that she is tiny.
Smarter BabiesBabies that are carried spend a great deal of time in a state of quiet alertness. This is a period of intense learning and interaction. When babies are carried hey can be at the center of the action without being the center of attention. This allows them to hear the conversations and see the sites of the people around them. It also encourages adults to talk with the baby and point things out to them that they might not think to share with a child in a stroller. This increased exposure to language and social interaction can enhance a baby's cognitive development.
Improved AttachmentResearch has shown that infants who are carried in soft carriers are more attached to their mothers than a control group of infants. Maternal-infant attachment is more than just a warm fuzzy feeling. It is an important foundation for psychological development. Securely attached infants and toddlers demonstrate higher levels of social functioning later in life.
Happier BabiesBabies who are frequently held and carried cry 43% less than babies who are held only for feedings or in response to crying. In cultures where babywearing is the norm, there is no such thing as "colic." American researchers theorize that the "normal" crying of young infants could be greatly mitigated by a decrease in reliance on non-human baby holders such as strollers, swings and bouncy seats.
Happier MomsMothers suffering from postpartum depression and their babies can benefit from the closeness provided by babywearing. Mothers with PPD typically demonstrate decreased responsiveness to their babies. However when babies are worn, a mother's responsiveness increases which increases the attachment between mother and baby. This increased attachment helps boost a mother's confidence in her parenting which can mitigate some of her depression.
More Involved DadsBabywearing is an excellent way for dads to bond with their babies. When a dad holds his baby close the baby learns his dad's smell, the rhythm of his heart, the sound of his voice, the way he moves. Dad learns his baby's cues and how to respond appropriately. This responsiveness assures the baby that Dad is someone he can trust and depend on. Dads who wear their babies are often more confident and more involved in general baby care.
More Portable Babies Baby carriers can go where strollers can't - up and down stairs, on and off busses, up rocky mountainsides. It's much easier to wear your baby than to navigate a stroller through a crowded festival. Plus, babies who are held are generally more content than a baby in a stroller. This quiet contentment makes them welcome guests at museums, boutiques, weddings and other places where noisy babies aren't generally welcomed with open arms. Some mothers have even managed to take their babies to work!
In general, babywearing just makes life easier. When babies are held, they are happy. Wearing your baby allows you to "hold" your baby without hands. This leaves your hands free to wash some dishes, tend to an older child, hold a book, or sip a latte while strolling through the park. And most importantly, it keeps your tiny one close for the very short time that she is tiny.
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