Why babywearing in a wrap or carrier is good for your baby
It’s great that you’ve found your way to this blog! We would love to tell you why carrying your baby has so many wonderful benefits. The best part is that there are some surprising benefits for you in here as well. So, keep reading!
Wearing helps with bonding
You might think, 'that’s obvious.' But we still want to mention it. First and foremost, carrying your baby close to you helps with bonding. Your baby hears your heartbeat, hears your voice vibrating in your chest, smells your scent, and feels secure. We mention this even though it may seem obvious; hardly anyone is aware that a baby has a skin-to-skin need of at least 10 hours a day. And although skin-to-skin is wonderful, having a layer of clothing in between is truly fine for bonding. Just try to avoid using perfume, as your little one prefers to snuggle up and enjoy your natural scent.
Your baby will sleep better
That sounds good! Because who doesn't get happy with more hours of sleep? Babies who have spent a lot of time held close to you during the day—whether in a wrap or carrier, or lying against you—are often fully satisfied by nighttime and can sleep better in their crib or co-sleeper. Many parents recognize this: after a busy day where you hardly had time to cuddle or wear your baby, a restless night often follows. And it works the other way around, too; lots of carrying during the day often means a calmer night, naturally still including feedings.
In addition, it also benefits naps during the day. A small baby often takes short catnaps in a crib or co-sleeper. Usually, they only last about 45 minutes, and they fail to enter the second sleep cycle. Because of this, a rhythm is often lacking. By wearing your baby, they often sleep more deeply and take longer naps against you during the day. And that’s a good thing, because it leads to a better rhythm and a calmer, well-rested baby who also takes better feedings.
Sometimes we get the question: can we spoil our little one too much? No, really not! Those first months are extremely important, and during that time, you cannot spoil them. Working on both bonding and getting enough rest truly ensures that your child will have a good rhythm by the age of 4 or 5 months and will naturally start sleeping more easily in bed during the day. So, wear your baby often!
Your baby will cry less and be more relaxed
All babies cry; that is completely normal. It is a means of communication and sometimes an expression of restlessness after a day full of stimuli. It can also be hunger, cramps, or something else. You often still have to learn the differences between the cries.
Many parents recognize this. Around the time you want to start dinner, the restlessness begins, and it only subsides later in the evening. By carrying your child in a wrap or carrier, the crying decreases. It has been proven that children who are carried for 4 hours or more per day cry significantly less and are more relaxed.
And of course, there are sometimes other causes for crying. Unfortunately, you then see little relaxation in the wrap or carrier, as it is often a combination of factors. Is your child suffering from this? Feel free to ask our babywearing consultant for advice via the WhatsApp button at the bottom of the page.
Your child will suffer less from reflux
When your child suffers from reflux, babywearing is truly a life-saver. When babies with reflux have finished feeding, they may spit up or keep swallowing. You also often see them crying after feedings. The stomach valve does not close enough yet, and stomach contents with acid come up. That feels uncomfortable. By keeping your child upright after feeding, babies suffer much less from this complaint.
Practically speaking, it is often inconvenient to have to stay sitting on the couch with your little one upright. Therefore, our advice: change your little one before feeding, then feed, and put them directly into the wrap or carrier. This way, your child stays upright and can relax much more.
After a while, this is no longer necessary. The stomach valve will close better as they grow, and you will notice that your child suffers less and less from it.
You can actively do something about your baby's preference for one side
Many babies have a preference for one side after birth. And although you try to alternate the head position in the crib, children often turn back to their preferred side. Because sleeping on the back is the safest, the skull receives a lot of pressure in that spot. The loose skull sutures form into a flattening and/or a misshapen head. Unfortunately, you often cannot reverse this entirely.
By wearing your child, you take the pressure off the skull. You can try to ensure your child lies with their head facing the other way, which helps the neck muscles become strong and flexible. By reducing the pressure on the skull, you can often (partially) prevent flattening and/or a misshapen head.
So, wear your baby plenty from birth!
Other things you can do include: tummy time, 1 minute on the stomach during every diaper change, lying on your chest, and—while supervised—occasionally laying your child down on one side and then the other. Note: this is not a safe position when your child is sleeping and you are not supervising.
Does your child have a higher risk of hip dysplasia? Start wearing!
When hip dysplasia runs in the family or your child has been in a breech position until after the 36th week, the chance of hip dysplasia is increased. At 3 months, an ultrasound of the hips will then be performed to check for this.
You can do something yourself from the start: ergonomic wearing. This means a good M-position with proper support for the hips. Unfortunately, not all carriers on the market are ergonomic, even if they claim to be. This term is not protected. What is good to know is that all Pure Baby Love products are ergonomic and can be used immediately.
The development of the hips is also a reason never to carry the legs inside a carrier or wrap, but always nicely on the outside.
When tying a wrap, it is important to use the correct technique. Are you in doubt? Even then, you can ask for the help of our babywearing consultant via WhatsApp.
Wearing has a positive effect on speech development
This is a benefit you rarely read about. But close to you, your little one hears your sounds better and sees your facial expressions along with them. By hearing the sounds better, speech development is stimulated. In addition, this spot is the ultimate place for a child to communicate with you.
Physical development is also positively influenced by wearing
In a wrap or carrier, you carry your child upright from the beginning. As a result, your child's vestibular system gets to work immediately. Moving along with your movements ensures that the vestibular system already develops. In addition, your child is in an active posture, which often helps the neck become stronger already.
You often see this when children start crawling, sitting, and standing. This often goes more firmly and stably. Children fall less often and often move more smoothly.
Of course, there are benefits for you too! Wearing is lighter than lifting
If you use the wrap or carrier correctly and carry your child firmly against you, the weight is distributed toward your center of gravity. This means you carry this weight easily and will not develop back pain.
Even after a C-section, you can carry your child in a wrap or carrier. You are carrying higher than the scar, and you relieve your abdominal muscles by wearing. Lifting is actually heavier on the abdominal muscles. However, a C-section is a major operation, so build it up slowly as you feel ready and listen to your body.
Are you already familiar with neck, shoulder, or back complaints? Then always go for a wrap or the Pure Baby Love Wrap & Go + carrier! They distribute the weight optimally and are the lightest to carry with.
You have your hands free!
All experienced parents know: that is wonderful! Even if it is to make a sandwich, prepare a drink, or prepare food. Having two hands is really useful. And when you have to carry your child on one arm, everything is more difficult. This really makes things a lot easier!
In addition, your arm and shoulder do not become overloaded from lifting. That's a nice bonus! Symmetrical carrying in a wrap or carrier ensures that your body is relieved.
You can also wear if you have physical complaints or a disability
You can also wear if you have physical complaints or a disability! Over the years, we have helped many people find a nice babywearing product that fits your situation.
When you have physical complaints, a woven wrap or the Wrap & Go + carrier is almost always a success. These distribute weight optimally over your entire body and are the lightest to carry with.
With a disability, it is always a custom job. Would you like help with that? Ask our babywearing consultant via the WhatsApp button! We are happy to think along with you about the possibilities.
Which wrap or carrier should you choose?
- Stretchy wrap: for the first year to carry on your front. Slightly less suitable for the summer due to warmer temperatures.
- Woven wrap: for the first few years! Lasts up to about 3 years. You can carry on your front, hip, and back. Also suitable in the summer.
- Click & Go + carrier: This carrier is truly a click & go. It carries like a backpack and has wonderfully padded straps. Lasts from baby up to 1.5 to 2 years.
- Wrap & Go + carrier: You click this carrier around your waist and easily tie it around your shoulders. It distributes the weight optimally and is easy if you switch wearers. Lasts from baby up to about 1.5 to 2 years.
Questions?
Do you still have questions following this blog? Send us a WhatsApp via the button at the bottom of the screen! We are happy to help you!