Baby Wearing

Published Tuesday, October 23, 2007 by Ashley in  

What is Babywearing?
Babywearing is the practice of wearing or carrying a baby or child in a sling or other form of carrier.


What are the benefits?

  • Mommy/Daddy able to carry around baby while also being able to get things done
  • Breastfeed hands-free while on the phone or shopping
  • Keep your baby close and happy while playing with your toddler
  • Get some exercise (walking) while your baby sleeps
  • No need to lug around an awkward, heavy carseat, or battle getting a stroller into your car, onto a bus or up stairs.
  • Babies cry less. Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) 43% less overall and 54% less during the evening hours (1). In cultures where babies are carried almost continuously, babies cry much less than those in non-carrying cultures (2-6).
  • Good for baby's mental development. Babies spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated while being carried (yet there is a place to retreat too). When carried, your baby sees the world from where you do, instead of the ceiling above his crib or people's knees from a stroller. And the extra stimulation benefits brain development.
  • Good for baby's emotional development.Babies are quickly able to develop a sense of security and trust when they are carried. They are more likely to be securely attached to their care-giver/s (7) and often become independent at an earlier age (8).
  • Good for baby's physical development. By being so close to your body's rhythms, your newborn "gets in rhythm" much more quickly. Your heartbeat, breathing, voice and warmth are all familiar. Research has shown how this helps newborns (especially premature babies) to adapt to life outside the womb (9).
  • Good for babies whose moms are depressed. Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you're there. Carrying your baby is a great way to connect with her (and provide stimulation too) without the "burden" of having to interact (10). Of course your baby is "right there" to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling, kissing or talking.

BWing Terms:
Asian-style carrier/Asian Babycarrier (ABC)
 The simplest form of two shoulder carriers is essentially a square of fabric with straps at each corner. Two straps tie around the wearer's waist. The other two straps go over the wearer's shoulders (they may or may not cross over) then attach to the carrier or tie to themselves. The Chinese MeiTai is an example. All Asian-style carriers are unstructured soft carriers.
Back carry
 Any carry where the baby is worn on the back, almost always facing towards the wearer's back. 
Buddha carry 
 A carry where the baby sits with their knees up and legs either crossed or tucked underneath; the baby sits on the wearer's front facing out; also called Kangaroo carry.
Carry (or hold)
 As in the noun "a carry", "hip carry" etc. refers to the position where the baby is worn on the wearer's body. Eg. In the back carry, the baby is carried on the wearer's back. 
Cradle hold
 A carry where the baby is lying down on the front of your body as though being cradled. If using a single-shouldered carrier such as a sling, the baby's head is towards the rings. Suitable for newborn and young babies.


Frame backpack
 A backpack similar in design to a hiking rucksack but usually with a metal frame, and designed to carry a child. Mostly used for toddlers and preschoolers.
Front carrier /front pack
 A soft carrier specifically designed to be used on the wearer's front. Suitable for babies once they can sit unsupported and for toddlers. Usually the baby faces the wearer, but some are designed so that the baby can also face out. See also soft carrier.
Hip carrier
 A single shouldered carrier specifically designed for the hip carry, though some can also be used on the wearer's front or back.
Hip carry
 A general term for any carry where the baby is against the wearer's hip, either slightly to the front, on the side, or slightly to the back. The baby's legs usually hang out, one to the front and the other behind the wearer with thighs parallel to the floor. Suitable for babies once they can sit unsupported and a popular carry for toddlers.
Kangaroo carry
 Usually describes a carry of the wearer's front with the baby facing outwards and the legs inside the carrier (aka. buddha carry).
Nursing hold
 A carry where the baby is lying down on the front of your body in a position suitable for nursing. Distinguished from the cradle hold because the baby's head is at the end opposite the rings (in a sling); the baby's legs may stick out the other end. Suitable for newborn and young babies.
Padded sling
 Usually a shaped piece of fabric (something like a pea-pod shape), narrower than an Unpadded Sling. The shoulder end has rings and the opposite end is the "tail". To be considered a padded sling, either the shoulder or the sides of the fabric (rails) are padded. Padding varies in amount from "lightly padded" to "heavily padded". Padded slings usually come in different sizes.
Pouch
 Essentially a long "tube" of fabric, folded in half lengthwise to create a pocket for the baby. Worn over one shoulder like a sling. Can be used for the same carries as slings. Can be made of woven or slightly stretchy fabrics. Some have a certain amount of adjustability allowing two people of different sizes to use the pouch; this is usually achieved by zippers or rows of snaps. 


Sling (or ring sling)
 A piece of fabric that goes over one shoulder and around the opposite hip/waist. Adjustable by use of 2 sling rings. In some slings, rings are replaced by a buckle or clip. See also Padded Sling and Unpadded Sling. 
Soft carrier
 A carrier with straps that go over both of the wearer's shoulders to hold the baby against the wearer's chest and stomach. Some also have a waist strap. The baby may be supported by their crotch or across their entire bottom Soft carriers with a wide seat area hold the baby's legs up. Soft carriers include front carriers, back carriers and some hip carriers. Some soft carriers can be used on front and/or back and/or hip. See also Structured Soft Carrier, Unstructured Soft Carrier and Asian-style Carrier.
Structured soft carrier
 This subset of soft carriers includes those that have shape and form even when not being worn. The rigidity is usually achieved with firm fabrics and use of padding. 




Types of Carriers:
Pouch sling: Essentially a long "tube" of fabric, folded in half lengthwise to create a pocket for the baby. Worn over one shoulder like a sling. Can be used for the same carries as slings. Can be made of woven or slightly stretchy fabrics. Some have a certain amount of adjustability allowing two people of different sizes to use the pouch; this is usually achieved by zippers or rows of snaps. 
Ring Sling: A piece of fabric that goes over one shoulder and around the opposite hip/waist. Adjustable by use of 2 sling rings. In some slings, rings are replaced by a buckle or clip. See also Padded Sling and Unpadded Sling. 
Woven Wraps: A single long piece of fabric that can be tied in various ways. It's the most versatile as it can be tied specifically to the wearer. 
Mei Tai: A carrier with straps that go over both of the wearer's shoulders to hold the baby against the wearer's chest and stomach. Some also have a waist strap. The baby may be supported by their crotch or across their entire bottom Soft carriers with a wide seat area hold the baby's legs up. Soft carriers include front carriers, back carriers and some hip carriers. Some soft carriers can be used on front and/or back and/or hip. See also Structured Soft Carrier, Unstructured Soft Carrier and Asian-style Carrier.
What do I use:
I currently only have a pouch sling but have used a ring sling and a Moby (woven wrap). I love my pouch sling because it sits up nice and high and is perfect for itty bitty babies. The ring sling is one of my favorites for nursing because the tail end of the fabric provides a cover when nursing (if your baby doesn't mind being covered... mine hates it). My absolutely favorite though, is the woven wrap. There's so much versatility and even though it can take a while to get on and off, it's perfect for trips where you'll be BWing for a longer period (versus the pouch which is perfect for quick trips). I find nursing to be very easy in a woven. Because you control on it fits, it's perfect for wearing at any age! I'm VERY excited to be buying a Moby for myself and to try wearing Gunnar on my back (when he gets a little bigger).

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

5 comments:

  1. Jess December 2, 2009 at 5:45 PM

    All those wraps & slings sound soo convenient! I never had any(mainly because we couldn't afford one, plus I hated the one I did try) so I had to learn how to do everything with one hand since I am always carrying Raleigh in my other. Travis calls me a monkey because I am always cleaning & picking things up with my feet lol! But this was a really informative post! I didn't know it helped them learn & what not.. I just always carry her because she loves it!

     
  2. Ashley December 2, 2009 at 8:58 PM

    I'm glad you found it informative! I absolutely love wearing Gunnar! While I do carry him around the house more than wear him I always prefer to wear him versus put him in a stroller when we're out. Even while wearing him I still do things one handed and use my feet out of habit!

     
  3. Jess December 3, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    Ok I am glad I am not the only person doing things with their feet lol!! Yeah I've never used Raleigh's stroller.. she hates it and prefers to be carried! It would be convenient to have something to put her in when we go out because my arms get so sore holding her for hours at the mall or library or wherever we are!

     
  4. Ashley December 3, 2009 at 11:47 AM

    Something you can do that's A LOT cheaper than buying a wrap is going to your loyal fabric store and buy 5 yards of jersey knit fabric. Make sure it's jersey knit though because that's the stretchier kind. If you decide to do that, then just go to www.mobywrap.com and look at the different ways you can tie it around you.

    http://wearyourbaby.com/Default.aspx?tabid=121
    ^ directions for how to make it.

     
  5. Kassi December 4, 2009 at 6:04 PM

    Just a note: Typically a woven wrap refers to more a cotton gauze. Moby wraps or wraps made from stretchy knit fabrics are generally referred to knit wraps. Woven wraps have less stretch and are great for heavier babies and toddlers.
    Also, a GREAT resource is thebabywearer.com.

    Great blog Ashley!!!

     

Post a Comment