The Benefits of Babywearing
As much as you love your baby, carrying him or her in your arms all day simply isn’t practical. So what can you do to get things done while keeping your baby close? Invest in a sling or carrier so you can wear your baby! The benefits of babywearing are not only practical, they also help your baby’s physical and emotional development.
“Babywearing” is the revived custom of carrying infants in cloth carriers on the parent’s body. The two most significant advantages are parent-baby contact and varied baby positioning, but the benefits of babywearing are many:
It’s easier to move around wearing a carrier than pushing a stroller
Babywearing reduces postnatal depression
Breastfeeding is easy (and private) when wearing your baby
You and your baby get a boost of oxytocin from the physical contact
Babies who are carried three hours a day cry 43% less
Proper upright positioning can help your baby’s neuromuscular development
It can reduce colic
Choosing a carrier
“Structure determines function,” which also means the spine determines the function of the nervous system. Therefore, a nervous system stressed by a compromised structure will affect the body's overall ability to be healthy.
With so many options out there, how does one choose a carrier to maximize health benefits for both parent and baby?
For good ergonomics, look for a baby carrier that has a wide seat area. It should support your baby’s legs to the knees to take pressure off the hips. Avoid carriers only support the crotch and leave baby’s legs dangling.
This article does a great job of explaining the different carrier types, and we’re also happy to share recommendations with you!
In addition, Best Start recommends using the TICKS rules when wearing your baby. Your carrier should allow you to easily follow these rules for safely babywearing:
Tight Your carrier should fit snugly (but not too tightly) to keep your baby supported
In view always. You should be able to see your baby’s face all at times, just by glancing down.
Close enough to kiss. Your baby’s head should be as close to your chin as is comfortable. You should be able to kiss your baby’s head by tipping your head forward.
Keep chin off chest. Your baby’s chin should never be on his or her chest. That position can restrict breathing. Be sure to keep at least a finger’s width under your baby’s chin.
Supported back. This positioning varies based on the type of carrier you’re using. In an upright carrier, your baby should be close to you with his or her back supported in the natural position. In a sling, pouch or cradle carry, your baby’s bottom should be at the deepest part, so the baby’s chin and chest aren’t touching.
Significance to Baby
A baby has continuous contact, warm, and motion in utero for 9 months.
Babywearing is a great way to continue that motion and soothing contact once the baby arrives. Researchers are encouraging babywearing due to the impact it has on the emotional and neurological development of the baby.
At Inspire, we check all of our newborns for any spinal misalignments from birth that can contribute to potential postural deviations. In addition we help you choose the best way to carry for your baby’s physical, emotional, neurological and social development.
Alternative to Car Seat when not in the Car and Strollers
Car seats are great at protecting babies during motor vehicle accidents and should ALWAYS be used when your baby is traveling in a vehicle. Strollers are another common option for transporting babies.
However, if a baby is left in the stroller or car seat for long periods of time,, it can lead to undue postural disorders (like a flattened head) due to lack of varied body positions.
Why is this a concern?
Since an infant’s head is so soft and impressionable, a flattened head adds to cranial distortions and, neurological compromise for the infant. Additionally, back-lying seat carriers and strollers do not help infants develop and strengthen their neck muscles.
Once again, structure is being affected, so function will be compromised, as well.
Related: Is Your Nursing Posture Triggering a Stress Response?
Babywearing can be a great addition to vary positions for babies during waking and carrying hours.
It’s impossible to avoid all stress on your baby’s spine, but baby wearing is a great way to reduce the stress, and chiropractic can help improve your baby’s body’s ability to handle it.