For centuries, women across the world have used cloth slings to carry their babies wrapped around themselves. This has empowered them by allowing them to continue doing their work, knowing that their baby is close and safe. Today, the practice of wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or carrier is referred to as “babywearing”, a technique which can successfully be implemented not only for newborns and infants, but also for toddlers… Babywearing can easily be practiced by either parent or any caregiver for that matter, and has tons of benefits! Some of these are listed below:

• Babywearing is a great way to bond with the baby! This way the caregiver can be seen, heard, smelled, and touched constantly by the baby, and the rhythms of the caregiver’s heartbeat helps comfort and soothe the baby. • It allows the caregiver to have his/her arms free (to do basic errands etc.) while the baby is secure and comfortable. This is extremely helpful not only around the house, but also when it comes to travelling with the baby.
• It is a great way for infants to see their surroundings just like an adult would! It gives them a completely different view of the world, and a wonderful chance to view social interactions…
• Babywearing is the easiest way to be able to climb stairs, walk over uneven surfaces and navigate through crowds with a baby, comfortably and safely. It is far more convenient than a stroller in many situations.
• Babywearing is said to decrease the risk of “flat head syndrome” which is often caused by the prolonged time newborns spend lying on their backs. Simply put, baby carriers and slings help increase the number of hours a day an infant is “held”, which, any parent will confirm, is inversely proportional to the number of hours he/she spends crying!

It’s no surprise that babywearing is being celebrated across the globe, with various organizations, events and special days dedicated to it… If you are worried about how to start, there is a plethora of ergonomic wraps, slings and carriers available to choose from in the market. A little bit of research and trial of a few of them will help you evaluate which kind is best for you and your little one. Initially it may take some getting used to, but once you and your bub are used to cuddling up close like this, there will be no looking back!