What is babywearing and why do it?
Babywearing is simply carrying your baby in a sling or baby carrier.
Why do it? Well you've probably arrived here with a few things in your mind that are making you reach for a sling or carrier. I'm here to say there isn't a "right" or "wrong" or "better" reason to babywear. I'm a firm believer in using these parenting tools that work for you. To keep you sane and happy and to keep your baby happy.
Over the years of running a sling library, and in my own parenting journey, I've found a few things that many of us hold in common as reasons to babywear, or things that happen because we babywear.
The list could go on and on. Fundamentally, attachment begins through close proximity with our children, and babywearing can really help with that. It's so much more than "just" a sling. And our parenting instincts and our clever babies try to bring us together for the reasons above and so much more. But we need to get the sling part right too.
Why do it? Well you've probably arrived here with a few things in your mind that are making you reach for a sling or carrier. I'm here to say there isn't a "right" or "wrong" or "better" reason to babywear. I'm a firm believer in using these parenting tools that work for you. To keep you sane and happy and to keep your baby happy.
Over the years of running a sling library, and in my own parenting journey, I've found a few things that many of us hold in common as reasons to babywear, or things that happen because we babywear.
- babies like to be held - a lot. And I want you to know this is so totally normal. We're sold an idea of babies who are out down peacefully in their bouncy chairs or beds, but many times they don't want to, and that's ok!
- we like to hold our babies! Makes sense, they are super precious and we want to keep them safe and close to us. Evolution wants us to want to stay close to our babies, and our babies to stay close to us.
- babies sometimes struggle to sleep - SLINGS FOR THE WIN!
- babies sometimes struggle with digestive issues, (reflux, colic, allergies) and holding your baby upright can be so comforting for their little tummies
- having older siblings who need attention too - slings can be so useful to allow you to parent all your children
- dog walking!
- getting out and about, off road...
The list could go on and on. Fundamentally, attachment begins through close proximity with our children, and babywearing can really help with that. It's so much more than "just" a sling. And our parenting instincts and our clever babies try to bring us together for the reasons above and so much more. But we need to get the sling part right too.