are you a babywearing mama? | introducing the babywearing series

“Infant development specialists who travel throughout the world studying infant-care practices have repeatedly observed that babies who are carried in a variety of cloth-type slings or front packs seem more content than infants who are kept in cots, playpens, pushchairs, prams and plastic seats.” –Dr. William Sears and Martha Sears

Benefits to babywearing

Dr. Sears and Martha Sears site a number of benefits to babywearing in The Baby Book:

• Organizes and regulates the baby.
• Reduces colic and crying.
• Enhances learning.
• Helps babies cry ‘better’ and parents cope better.
• Promotes cognitive development and learning.
• Enhances parent-infant bonding.
• Helps premature babies grow better.
• Makes life easier for busy parents.

Why I babywear

I have worn both of my boys as babies, and I continue to sometimes still wear Levi as a toddler. There are many days now as I care for a baby and a toddler that I wouldn’t be able to cope very well without babywearing. (Especially from 4-6:00pm – you know what I’m talking about, mamas!)

It’s been absolutely essential to my mental health as a mom. Judah in particular is a very high-touch baby and wants to be in my arms a lot. Without using a carrier I would probably never be able to serve dinner until 8:00pm at night.

Babywearing is also a crucial part of our ability to travel with relative ease. Because of our work and being a cross-cultural family, we travel a lot! Using a carrier or sling means we can be hands free and cut down on the “stuff” we have to lug on and off planes.

As much as I like the practicality of babywearing, I also enjoy the closeness of carrying my babies and having them fall asleep on my chest. I’m pretty sure my boys like that position just as much as I do…

What I use for babywearing

I have all sorts of babywearing contraptions. Five to be exact (a Moby, an Ergo, a Peanut, a Britax, and a Ring Sling), only one of which I’ve actually bought. (The rest have been hand-me-downs or baby shower gifts.)

Since I have so many and often get asked which do I prefer and why, I thought I’d write about them – what I like and what I don’t. (Please note, these are not sponsored reviews – just one mom’s tips to another. Cuz I’m nice like that.)

Coming in the Babywearing Series

• My favorite for a newborn: The Moby Wrap
• My favorite for a newborn in hot, humid climates: The Britax Baby Carrier
• My favorite for breastfeeding: The Peanut Shell & the Ring Sling
• My all-around favorite: The ErgoBaby Performance Carrier
• Guest posts from Melissa at Hi, Baby (a mom of three) and Megan at the Boho Mama (a mom of twin babies) on what babywearing means to them.
• Babywearing link-up.

Join our Babywearing Carnival

Do you have a post on Babywearing – why you love it or which is your favorite type of carrier? At the end of the Babywearing Series, I’ll host a link-up for you to add your link. Prepare your post (or freshen one up from your archives) and keep your eyes open for it to go live on Saturday, March 10^th. Feel free to link with a text link or the image below.

Dear friends, are you a baby-wearing mama? Why or why not?

P.S. We are camping out bush all this week! That means unplugged, baby!!! No internet, or even phone access for me. (Crikey!) I’ll do my best to respond to your emails and comments when I return. 🙂

P.P.S. That gorgeous (candid!) photo was taken by my friend Tiffany when Judah was less than two weeks old. I looooooove it. If you are in the Central Oregon area, you NEED her to do your family photos. She has an amazing way with kids, and makes adults feel really comfortable “posing” too.