Baby wearing

baby wearing

You’ve seen parents carrying their babies in a sling or carrier but have you wondered what the advantages are? B helps you discover the wonderful world of attachment parenting

By Sally J. Hall

Why wear your baby?

Using a sling or carrier, which many people now call babywearing, has several key advantages:

  • It’s practical as it leaves your hands free to get on with things whilst still keeping your baby close
  • It’s easier to go where a pushchair can’t; town centres, small shops, country walks, on the beach, up stairs or on public transport
  • Many babies appear more settled due to the close contact with their parent

How to choose a baby sling or carrier

There are many types of slings and carriers available and they don’t suit everyone, so you should try some out before deciding what to buy. You might find a local ‘lending library’ of slings, a friend may have one or you could discuss with the nursery representative in a large store; the John Lewis and Peter Jones partners are especially good at advising mums-to-be as they see all the kinds available.

Some people prefer a particular model based on its style or the colour (though be wary choosing this way – you might not be comfortable). Some parents prefer the ‘hammock’ or ring sling style, others prefer the more structured upright carriers.

Tip for buying a sling or carrier

For Baby, it should:

  • Allow your baby’s spine to be in its natural, slightly curved positions
  • Be supportive enough that your baby doesn’t sit in a slouched position, especially when sleeping
  • Support your baby hips
  • Allow your baby to sit with the legs apart like a frog, with the knees slightly higher than the bottom
  • Support the back of your baby’s head (especially important for newborns)

For You, it should:

  • Be well padded and comfortable on your shoulders and hips
  • Spread the weight of your baby across your torso. As they get heavier, have some weight on your pelvis
  • Your baby should not ‘hang’ from your shoulders

Sling safety

It is vitally important that your baby should have his mouth and nose clear of the fabric at all times, that the fabric doesn’t cover his head and that he should not be slumped with chin to chest. This can lead to suffocation. There’s more useful information at babywearing.co.uk

What is Attachment Parenting (AP)?

Attachment Parenting is an ethos that espouses holding your baby close, especially during the first few months of life. It proposes seven “Baby Bs:”

1 Birth bonding: The first hours are very important to promote attachment
2 Belief in your baby’s signals: Parents learn to understand and respond quickly
3 Breastfeeding: This is regarded to have physical and psychological advantages
4 Babywearing: carrying the baby close
5 Bedding close to baby: Sleeping in the same room as the baby and night feeding
6 Balance and boundaries: Knowing when to say yes and when to say no
7 Beware of baby trainers: Parents are encouraged to listen to their own instincts

Read our interview with Daniel Lucas, the baby-wearing Guru and founder of We Made Me

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