Babywearing

by Kara Maia Spencer, www.MaiaHealingArts.com

Photo used with permission of photographer: Attached to Baby 

Babywearing is an ancient practice of human childrearing and a growing trend in Western culture. All over the world, people carry newborns and toddlers throughout the day while persuing normal activities. Wearing your baby is soothing and nurturing, and promotes health in numerous ways.

I began wearing my son in a sling when he was two weeks old. It took a few trys to feel comfortable and secure using the sling, and then soon we were pros. The benefit of the sling is that it there are many ways of carrying your child, to accomodate your days moods and activities. When my son was a few months old, I learned to nurse him in the sling, and found discretion and comfort to nurse in public and crowded areas. He could be walked, danced, or bounced to sleep in the sling, and thus taken anywhere with ease. He loved his sling and spent time in it every day until he was three.

I’ve tried lots of carriers with my son, and with the babies that I’ve been a doula to. I love all the new options available and the gorgeous fabrics and colors that style’s come in. I believe an essential carrier is one that is ergonomic on the body, so that it disperses the weight of the baby evenly over both shoulders and the hips. I love the Hug-a-Bub from Australia, the Moby Wrap is similar, and the wrap slings can be made yourself if you are crafty. The Ergo Baby carrier is comfortable for long periods of babycarrying, sturdy, versatile, and has useful pockets.

This August, there is the first Babywearing Conference at Reed College in Portland, Oregon. This will be an international gathering of babywearing educators, makers, and parents. Here you can learn all about the numerous ways of carrying babies, and how to make different styles of carriers including slings, wraps, pouches, mei tais, onbuhimos, podaegis, and rebozos. This conference was created by the Babywearer community.

It’s important to carry babies for health, bonding, and attachment. Research shows that preterm infants who are held in what is called “Kangaroo Care” gain weight faster and leave the hospital sooner than babies that are not held. It has been speculated that baby carrying devices may be humanities earliest invention. Babies love it, and it’s simple, economical, and environmentally friendly.