There many benefits to wearing your baby and practicing attachment parenting. I have compiled a list of some of these benefits and reasons to try baby wearing:
Babies cry less. Studies have shown that babies who are worn approximately 3 hours a day cry 43% less than babies who are not. I was blessed with a baby who never had colic, but I have some close friends who put this statistic to the test with great results.
Mom gets more done. Most baby carriers, be it a sling, wrap, pouch or soft-structured carrier, allow mom to be hands free. This means being able to do household chores, run errands or tend to your toddler.
Improved mental development in your baby. Babies who are worn spend more time in a quiet-alert state, all the while at eye level with the rest of the world, allowing the mind to absorb what it sees and hears.
NO LUGGING AROUND A BULKY CAR SEAT
Baby feels more secure, resulting in a well adjusted and "calm" toddler later to become an independent child.
Helps moms deal with the Baby Blues. The contact with your baby fosters bonding and helps regulate hormonal peaks and valleys in the early weeks after birth.
Babies sleep better at night. Due to the prolonged contact during the day, baby is more content and willing and able to be "apart" from mom at night. Although I do advocate sharing sleep with your baby, especially in the early weeks.
Babies who are worn in infancy tend to talk earlier as a toddler. By spending more time at eye level, babies observe and absorb language skills.
Allows mom to breastfeed hands free. This takes some practice, but once mastered can be a great tool in a pinch, such as soothing a cranky baby in a public place while shopping or what have you. Slings are perfect for this since they cover mom and baby, passer by simply see a happy baby nuzzled up to mommy, no skin needs to be exposed.
Helps reduce infant acid reflux. Doctors are find this is a common cause of "colic", which is basically a "garbage pail" term used when they can't explain why a baby is upset. When worn tummy to tummy babies are less likely to have fluid rise into the esophagus after eating.
Ultimately, the goal of attachment parenting is to raise a confident, kind and bright child who in turn becomes a confident, kind and intelligent adult. But the satisfaction experienced by a parent practicing attachment principles can be overwhelming. I enjoy the closeness and bonding that comes from wearing my daughter, even now at 20 months old. I know she enjoys it too, she brings me our Ergo Baby to go for a ride everyday!
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