Babywearing Information
Babywearing: A Guide
What is Babywearing?
- Babywearing means carrying your baby in a sling or other carrier so that they are always ‘in arms.’
Who can wear their baby?
- Everyone! Mom, Dad, Siblings, Grandparents, Caretakers….Simply Everyone!
Where should I wear my baby?
- Everywhere! At home, at the store, at the airport, at the zoo…if you go there, you can wear your baby there.
When can I start wearing my baby?
- You can start babywearing from birth. If, however, you just found out about babywearing, you can start now. Older babies enjoy the same benefits from being worn in a sling that younger babies do.
Why wear my baby in a sling?
- Sometimes baby needs it (fussiness, colic, reflux), sometimes you need it (bonding, easier nursing, get some housework done!)
How can I wear my baby?
- In a sling! That could mean Pouches, Ring Slings, Asian-style Baby Carriers (including Mei Teis, Onbus and Podaegis) and Wraps.
Babywearing: WHY?
Wear your baby because it’s fun! But also, because:
- Babywearing helps you get things done (go ahead, clean your house, play with your older children, heck, even take a shower that lasts more than two seconds!)
- Babywearing promotes bonding and keeps your baby close to your body – where they’re meant to be.
- Babywearing helps soothe fussy babies (this was a lifesaver for us with our colicky son.) Slings can also help with reflux.
- Babywearing makes breastfeeding a breeze. Nurse on the go, hands-free, as well as discretely while in public.
- Babywearing allows baby to be up, in the middle of the action and included, instead of isolated and alone in their stroller, looking at knees and dodging cigarettes.
- Babywearing promotes interaction with baby. See how many people talk with your baby when (s)he’s at eye level!
There are many options for wearing your baby:
- Pouches
- Wraps
- Ring Slings
- Asian-Style Baby Carriers (ABC’s)
- Mei Teis
- Podaegis
- Onbuhimos (Onbus)
Every carrier has its own learning curve…some of them are easy, just pop your baby in and go; others are more complicated, but offer greater versatility in types of carries (front, back, hip, one shouldered, two shouldered, etc.) Some can be used in pairs or alone. Still others are inspired by traditional designs and retain exotic characteristics.
Pouches:
Pouches are by far the easiest carriers to learn and use. Put the pouch on, pop baby in and you’re ready to go! Good for beginners and smaller/younger babies. Pouches give a very warm, snug, womb-like feeling and can be made out of a variety of materials (cotton, fleece, brocade) with padded rails(edges) or not.
Wraps:
Wraps are long stretches of cloth with blunt, tapered or fringed ends. You basically tie them around yourself, making pockets with the various configurations for baby to sit or lie in, and then secure with knots. These have one of the steepest learning curves, but offer many varieties of carries and are very versatile. Wraps can be found in many different fabrics, including woven cotton, stretchy t-shirt like material and gauze.
Ring Slings:
The workhorse of the sling family, ring slings are good for every day, in-and-out types of activities. They can be made out of any variety of fabrics and can have padded rails (edges) or not. As well, tails can be open or sewn closed. Ring slings offer infinite adjustability and a wide variety of positions.
ABC’s (Asian-style Baby Carriers):
ABC’s encompass a wide range of traditional carriers. All have square/rectangular bodies with straps. Mei Teis have four straps that are tied two around your waist and two over your shoulders. Podaegis and Onbus have only two straps, but are tied in such a way that baby is still very secure.
