Written by Allana Davenport

Baby wearing

A quiet revolution has been taking place in modern parenting. The irony is that this revolution is actually an ancient practice that is seen in many communities around the world from South America to Africa. Babywearing is the ‘practice of wearing or carrying a baby or child in a sling or other form of carrier’ (Wikipedia). There are many different types of carrier, from a soft wrap that looks like a long piece of cloth to a more structured backpack or pouch. They can be used to transport the tiniest newborn or a 35lb toddler.

Wearing your baby is becoming increasingly popular in Western communities as modern parents begin to steer away from strict routines and develop a more instinctive parenting style. Baby wearing does not have to be done as part of any particular philosophy of parenting, although it is strongly associated with gentler methods of baby rearing such as the attachment method. This is a style of parenting which does not require following any hard and fast rules but involves responding to your baby’s needs on demand rather than trying to fit them into a routine.

When my second daughter Lydia, was born, I did not set out to follow any particular parenting style. My decision to carry her in a soft wrap was due to practicality. I already had a 20 month old and I decided that it would be easier to attend to my older child’s needs if I could carry the baby close to me in her wrap whenever she was fussy. A sort of baby-hands-free kit! I am also one of the few people who has never learnt to drive and I did not relish the prospect of struggling onto overcrowded public transport with a twin or tandem pushchair.

For me, a wrap was the only acceptable alternative. My wrap looks complicated to tie but it is actually incredibly simple. I researched the different types of carrier and decided upon a Moby as being most suitable for a newborn as it was made from soft, stretchy cotton and could be tied in different ways. I have never looked back. I began by using it for outings and found that Lydia was so content in it that I used it more and more, around the house, going about my day to day activities. I was amazed that strangers would approach me not only to admire my newborn, but also to inquire about my wrap and to remark on how comfortable my baby looked in it. Lydia is a content baby who rarely cries and I am convinced this is due to being carried for 3 to 4 hours a day.

This is not unusual amongst babies who are worn. Dr William Sears, a leading exponent of the attachment parenting style and an advocate of baby wearing, claims that babies who are worn not only cry less but spend more time in a period of quiet alertness; a time when babies are learning the most about the world around them. This is where the baby wearing philosophy contradicts widely held beliefs that a baby can be spoiled and should be ‘trained’ to follow a routine. It is preposterous to me that a tiny baby can have the level of consciousness required to manipulate an adult or to become spoilt. At this age, babies are totally dependent on their parents and I believe it is important to respond to their needs quickly and appropriately.

A baby who is carried has the need for comfort and security met on demand. In fact, a baby carrier can be a transitional environment between the safety of the womb and independence. I carry Lydia in an upright position, nestled into my chest, where she can hear my heartbeat and smell my scent. A baby has limited vision and their other senses, such as smell and touch are very important to healthy development. A baby who is carried can derive a great deal of comfort from the familiar smell of their mother and the warmth of her body heat. Baby wearing is a great way for dad to bond too; the vibrations of a man’s deeper voice can be very soothing to an upset baby.

If the upset baby is soothed and comforted by being worn throughout the day, they develop a sense of security. As the child grows they are secure and happy as their caregivers have responded to their needs on demand. They know their parents will be there for them if needed. A baby left to cry-it-out may actually develop high levels of stress hormones and will develop into an insecure and clingy toddler. Baby wearing can soothe even the most ‘difficult’ baby. Being carried in an upright position can help colicky or gassy babies. Kangaroo care, which involves skin to skin contact for 2 to 3 hours a day has been shown to promote weight gain and growth in premature babies. A breastfed baby who is carried close to his or her source of food may feed more frequently.

I found that baby wearing was a fantastic way to lull a tired baby to sleep. No sooner would I put Lydia into her wrap than I would see her gazing intently at me, trying to focus, before her eyes would roll back into her head and close in a peaceful sleep. As any exhausted new mother knows, a sleeping baby = Bliss!

An additional benefit of baby wearing is the close bonding it promotes between parent and baby. Babies are often carried in a position that means that they can have eye contact with their caregiver, or snuggled up into their chest where they can smell the comforting and familiar scent. Close physical contact with baby has also been shown to reduce the incidence of postnatal depression and to result in a happier babe!

The feeling of being able to kiss the top of Lydia’s head as we walk along is wonderful and certainly could not be beaten by the feeling of pushing her along in a pram or a stroller, far away from me. It is also a great opportunity for Lydia to learn about the world around her. In a carrier, baby is at the centre of activity rather than merely being the centre of attention.

As I write this, Lydia is fully involved, cuddled up peacefully in her wrap. She has an enriched environment, full of interesting sights, sounds and smells, an integral part of my world. As she grows, I will consider using a different type of carrier to suit her changing needs, or carry her in a different position. When she develops greater head control at around 4 months old, I will carry her facing outwards so she can observe more of the world around her.

This is the beauty of baby wearing. It is as individual as every parent and baby. Every parent will find a carrier and position to suit the needs of them and their child. It offers tremendous freedom and flexibility. The benefits are extensive and the close bond it fosters between parent and child cannot be rivalled. By being in such close physical proximity to your child, you become attuned to their every need. The result is a happier baby and a happier parent.