Babywearing is basically wearing your baby with the help of a carrier. There are many types of carriers available, such as stretchy wraps, slings, mei tais, and carriers with buckles.
My husband and I attended a Nearly New Sale at the Pregnancy and Parents Centre where we had the chance to see and try different types of carriers. We decided to buy a stretchy wrap as they are suitable from birth.
A stretchy wrap is a long piece of fabric, typically made of soft and stretchy cotton material. It is usually between 4 and 5 metres long and about half a meter wide. In order to wear your baby, you have to wrap the length of fabric around your body and then put the baby in it. You can see a video of how to wear sling here.
When babywearing it is very important to follow the TICKS guidelines, this means keeping the baby:
- Tight
- In view at all times
- Close enough to kiss
- Keep chin off the chest
- Supported back
There are many benefits from babywearing and many types of carriers available. Here are the 4 reasons we love our stretchy wrap.
Stretchy Wrap Bonding
Wearing your baby is great for bonding, and this works in both directions. For mums and dads, feeling your baby close to you helps release oxytocin. This hormone is often called “the love hormone” as it increases when we hug or kiss someone we love. The release of this hormone will make us feel relaxed and happy. It is especially important for breastfeeding mothers as it increases milk production.
Newborn babies need to be in physical contact with their caregivers, especially during the first three months of their lives. Being in a carrier will provide them with the closeness that they need. When they are being worn they can hear and feel your heartbeat. This will help them stay calm as it will remind them of the womb.
Hand-Free Babywearing
While you wear your child in a carrier you have both hands free! This is very important when you have a clingy or unsettled baby. My little chicken is currently going through a phase and cries every time I put him down. He will only sleep when being held. I can wear my wrap around the house and that way my baby can sleep. Not only can he sleep well but I also have both hands free to get things done.
Easy Carry Stretchy Wrap
Carrying a baby in a wrap can be much easier than having to deal with a pram. We live in a third-floor flat and my building does not have any storage space on the ground floor. This means we need to carry the pram up and down the stairs each and every time we want to use it. Or maybe you want to go somewhere that would not be accessible with a pram, like for a walk along the beach or a stroll in the woods. This will not be a problem when you are babywearing.
Sometimes I need to use the pram for practical reasons. But when we are just going out for a wee walk, or for a quick nip to the local supermarket, the stretchy wrap is much better. It is quick to tie and I don’t need any help getting up and down the stairs.
Keep Strangers Away
You might have experienced that awkward moment when a random stranger decides it is ok to touch or kiss your baby. One moment your wee one is napping in his pram and the next time you look there is an unknown individual squeezing his cheeks. Horror! We all know how inappropriate this is.
Wearing your baby will reduce drastically the possibility of this happening. Even if they tried to touch your little one, having him close to your chest will allow you to protect him from touchy hands.
There is always the possibility of dressing your child in a baby grow that warns these uninvited strangers to keep their hands to themselves.
Grow (Short Sleeve)
Clothing Type
Grows (Short Sleeve)
Grows (Short Sleeve)
Grows (Short Sleeve)