
So, what is babywearing? At it's core it's what you'd expect - you wear your baby. But why would I want to wear a contraption when I can just hold my baby? Oh, go right ahead He-Man and see how long that 20lbs. bundle of joy lasts in your arms during an all day trip to the aquarium. You're eventually going to get tired. But it goes much deeper than just convenience (although that is certainly a great reason to start.) In my family, my wife is the stay at home parent. She spends most of her day with my son and enjoys a ton of bonding time with him. I have to work and as a result spend a lot less time at home. By babywearing your child from a young age, you are creating a bond with your child that otherwise might not exist. Your child is close to your heart and can hear your heartbeat when they press their head against your chest. They hear your voice up close and it becomes a soothing mechanic during those restless fits. If our son ever gets cranky or just overall restless, throwing him in the Tula (a brand of babywearing device) and gently swaying will have him sleeping in minutes. If you need more of an incentive, think about the benefits of a walk with your baby in a harness. You are getting the benefit of a walk with your baby on your body. So, walking + bonding + weightlifting = win. And don't think you always have to baby wear, you don't. I do it from time to time when we're out, but I also enjoy holding him in my arms. Think of it as a supplement to your time with your child, something that will only intensify your bonding but will never hurt.
So, you're intrigued. You're thinking, how can I get in on this baby wearing goodness. Well, good man, I'll tell you how. You're going to want to decide on what kind of carrier you'll want to use. I break up the babywearing contraptions into two categories - structured and unstructured. Structured is going to be something with buckles and straps. You basically set it once and you're good to go. You slide your arms in, snap a few buckles, and you're baby wearing in seconds (after some practice, of course). This is my favorite because I'm lazy. We use the Tula brand carrier but I've heard Ergos are also really good. You're going to want to avoid anything that holds your baby up by his crotch though. In the babywearing community, those contraptions are one step up from Satan and are called "crotch danglers." I don't know enough of the science to say whether they are truly dangerous, but there are a ton of articles out there telling you to avoid them. Do with that as you will and make your own decision. The other method of babywearing, unstructured, is anything in my mind that has to be created each time. My wife really likes these types of carriers and they include wraps, mei tai's, and other such devices that involve creating the carrier each time you want to use it. They have their pro's and con's to each but it really comes down to which would work better for you.

International Babywearing Week is in October. Join an event near you! :)
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! My son wasn't born last October so this will be our first, but I'll be sure to look for something in our area! Thanks for the heads up!
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