The Ultimate Guide to Babywearing: The Benefits & Types of Carriers

Photo by Maria Seta on Unsplash

If you have heard the term babywearing before, you might wonder what it entails. Babywearing is "wearing" or holding the baby on a caregiver's body using a carrier or wrap. There are many different types of baby carriers and wraps with limitless wrap techniques and styles. Let's dive into all of the benefits of babywearing and the many kinds of available carriers on the market so you can choose the right options for your family.

Babywearing & Cross-Cultural Origins

While babywearing may be a new concept to some, it has been a part of raising children since the origins of humanity. Humans are what anthropologists refer to as carry-mammals. This is reflected both in our biology (take human breast milk whose higher carb content requires more frequent feeding facilitated by close contact with their mother) and cultural patterns. In today's world, our biology has not evolved at the same pace as our societal structures and cultural norms. We are meant to biologically hold our infants close to us since they are unable to self-attach like other species such as apes.

However, the reality of daily life often makes this impossible without the aid of babywearing devices, carriers, and wraps. Hence, the emergence of babywearing methods in societies across the globe through time. If you look at cultures across the globe, you will see many have developed their own types of carriers and babywearing methods. These have developed in alignment with their lifestyle, location, and rich cultural background. Cultures from indigenous peoples on the North American continent to populations across South America, Africa, and Asia babywear. Even native populations in arctic habitats showcase babywearing devices thick with animal fur for extra warmth for the baby.

In short, babywearing is not a new trend, but rather, a deeply rooted cultural and biological way for caregivers to care for their young.

Photo by Derek Owens on Unsplash

Some of the Benefits of Babywearing

Bonding between the caregiver/parents and baby is one of the primary benefits of babywearing. Furthermore, this increased close contact provides a safe space for infants to securely attach to their parents. Parents are also found to have increased responsiveness to their babies with reduced crying the more they babywear. As a result, infants learn to regulate their emotions in the security of their caregiver's embrace. Just as they begin to understand a secure attachment and emotional regulation, babywearing also helps the baby's temperature and heart rate regulate.

Many types of baby carriers also allow for easy chestfeeding access. According to La Leche League, breastfeeding rates are increased among individuals who regularly babywear even if they do not feed in the carrier itself.

In daily life, baby carriers and wraps simply make things easier. With your hands free, it is easier to care for older children, go about daily tasks, and take the weight off of holding a baby. It can even make it easier for caregivers to get physical exercise. Plus, this soothing movement of daily life mimics life in the womb for the baby tucked close to their mother hearing their heartbeat. Some research indicates babywearing is one of the best ways to help handle a colicky baby.

Some final benefits to consider are that it counts as tummy time helping babies strengthen their neck muscles and hold their heads up. Babywearing has also been shown to increase babies' auditory and visual alertness with more stimuli. As a result, this can help with enhanced cognitive development. Finally, if you are a mom of multiples or even a younger toddler and a newborn-- there are ways to carry multiples.

Types of Babywearing Carriers & Devices

As I mentioned, there are many types of carriers and different ways to use them. I'm going to break down the most common category types of carriers today, though more styles exist.

• Soft Structured Carriers (SSCS)

Used from 7lbs to around 40lbs depending on the carrier. Often uses soft material that has a structured seat. Most are easily adjustable for different people and can be worn with different carry styles.

• Stretchy Wrap Carriers

Usually wearable from birth to about 20lbs. Basically these are long stretchy pieces of fabric that can be wrapped into different styles. Lightweight and breathable materials are often used. They can come with a small learning curve.

• Woven Wraps

Can be used from birth and often past toddlerhood. Use a thick woven material fabric that can be wrapped in numerous styles. Often, takes a lot of practice to master but is a valuable option once you get the hang of it. Often wrapped directly on the wearer instead of being placed inside the wrap after the fact like with most stretchy wraps.

• Ring Slings

Can be used from birth to around 35 lbs. Worn over one shoulder. Most are easily adjustable and can be worn in multiple styles. They come in both single and double-layer styles.

• Pouch Slings

Used from birth up to 30 lbs. Composed of a large pouch of fabric where you place the baby. Weight is distributed across one shoulder. They are super convenient, fast, and easy to put on plus adjustable.

• Backpack Carriers

Mostly for toddlers and older children. These are more serious carriers great for hiking and outdoor adventures.

Mei Tai's

Can be used from birth until around 44 lbs. It is a hybrid between an SSCS and a wrap. An Asian style wrap that crosses over the shoulders and cross-tied at the back. They don't have buckles but still can be easily adjusted.

As you can get there are as many benefits to babywearing as there are types of carriers and styles. This guarantees there is a perfect match or two for your baby-wearing needs.

I love helping new families find the right babywearing styles and methods that work for their needs. Let's connect and talk more about the amazing world of baby carriers and wraps.