Baby Wearing 101

I have just begun making/selling baby carriers called onbuhimos. An onbuhimo (onbu for short) is a Japanese baby carrier that allows the baby to be held belly to belly or belly to back with their parent, while allowing the parent to have their hands free to do other things. My next few blog entries will go over details of different types of baby carriers and which to use for each age group of babies. For now, though, I'd like to take the time to explain baby wearing, especially to those that are skeptic of baby wearing.

So often these days, parents have this false sense of what a baby "should" be like. Americans have come to believe that a "good" baby is a baby who sleeps through the night, is okay with being laid on the floor, shoved in a swing/bouncy seat, and/or put in a play pen for the majority of the day so that Momma can get things done, lays nicely in a stroller/grocery cart, etc. While floor/tummy time, swings, bouncy seats, play pens, strollers, and carts have their time and place, these type of environments/devices are not always the best method of caring for your child in a way that the child feels comfortable and safe. Children, especially babies, feel more at ease and relaxed when they are close to their parents. "Wearing" or carrying your child is a good way to help your child feel relaxed and comfortable, while also allowing the caregiver to get things done. 


1. What is baby wearing?

• Baby wearing is the process of carrying a baby in a sling, wrap or carrier that transports a baby, allows a baby to be close to his/her parent/guardian/caregiver, while allowing the wearer to have his/her hands free to do other things.

2. Who can be a baby wearer?

• Any adult/teen who is willing. Mothers, fathers, grandmothers, grandfathers, older siblings (not recommended for age groups younger than teenagers), babysitters, aunts, uncles, etc. It isn't just for women. It isn't just for parents!

3. What are the benefits of baby wearing for the baby?

• Babies that are "worn" tend to be happy babies. On average, they cry less, are less high maintenance, and are more social than babies who are not "worn."
• Babies that are "worn" tend to have a faster rate of emotional development. They feel more secure with their caregivers at a younger age, which in turn helps them become more independent at an earlier age.
• Babies that are "worn" tend to learn at faster rates. They stay in the "alert" state when carried and are more involved in everyday activities.

4. What are the benefits of baby wearing for the caregiver?

• It allows your baby to be close to you while still allowing you to do things such as clean, shop, sew, knit, read, go for walks, play with/occupy an older child, etc.
• It allows the carrier to bond more quickly with the baby. (This is especially great for dads, since nursing mothers tend to bond more quickly with their babies than the babies' fathers do.)
• It allows nursing mothers to nurse their babies in public more discreetly. 
• It allows you to leave the bulky, heavy carriers, such as a portable car seat, behind. Slings/carriers roll up and fit well in a diaper bag.
• It allows the caregiver to hold the baby without their arms/back getting tired/sore.*

5. What are some of the oppositions to baby wearing?

• Many people who oppose baby wearing say things along the lines of "But you'll spoil the baby!" "He/she will want to be held all of the time!" Studies pertaining to these questions have been conducted and found that these accusations do not come to be true in children that are carried. Children who are carried, tend to be more independent due to the secure feelings and attachment to their parents. 
• Babies who are carried will have back problems, cannot breathe as easily, etc. This has been disproved time and time again. Carrying children actually is BENEFICIAL to their breathing/physical development. In some cases, it is known to actually prevent back issues in children that are predisposed to back development complications. Also, babies that are carried (upright or horizontally) actually have a better air flow and an easier time breathing than if laid in a stroller.
• It isn't safe to carry your baby "hands free". This simply isn't true...if done correctly. Baby carriers should NEVER carry a baby "hands free" if uncomfortable doing so. Until the carrier is comfortable, he/she should support the baby with one or both arms. However, when the carrier becomes comfortable with baby wearing, it is completely safe, BUT it is the carriers responsibility to ensure that the sling/carrier used to carry the baby is safe. (See below.)

6. What should you do to keep your child safe while baby wearing?

• The carrier should always, Always, ALWAYS inspect the carrier/sling for frayed edges, loose stitching, and abnormalities BEFORE using it to carry their child.
• If using a ring sling/carrier that requires rings, always be sure that the rings are strong/made for baby wearing. Rings from slingrings.com are tested specifically for baby carriers. If the carrier doesn't specify using rings from there, be sure to check out the standards of the rings used. Plastic rings should NEVER be used. Metal rings that are welded together can break. Nylon rings not tested for baby carrying may slip. The correct size of rings for the specific carrier is also crucial. 
• Always follow the weight/age guidelines. If it is made for a child who can hold up their head, do not use the sling/carrier with a newborn. If it specifies not using it with a child over 30 lbs, do not put your 40 lb toddler into the carrier/sling.
• Never bend from the waist.
• Never exercise (other than walking) while wearing your child.
• Always wear the slings/carrier as designed to be worn. Many slings/carriers are able to be worn in multiple ways, however, if intended to be worn as a sling that sits above your belly button, never wear it as a carrier, or below your belly button.
• Use common sense! This is your baby, not a sack of potatoes!
• Never wear a child around open flames or hot surfaces such as a stove. Baby carriers are flammable and your child can be burned or worse. 
• Always think about the needs/safety of your baby.

These are the basics of baby wearing. If you have further questions, please feel free to comment. I will answer your questions to the best of my ability! Within the next few days, I will be blogging about different types of baby carriers and the pros/cons of each that I am familiar with. :-) 

Information seen in this blog entry is a compilation of the following websites:

History and Stories About Wearing

The Baby Wearer

Unfounded Fear of Postural Damage By Carrying

Do Carried Babies Get Enough Air?

Fussy Babies

Baby Wearing

Remember, baby wearing is not for everyone. This post is not to guilt you into carrying your child, but simply presenting you with the benefits for both caregiver and baby involved in baby wearing.

~A

*Certain carriers are better for certain ages due to weight of the child. Some carriers, when used with older children, put more strain on the carrier than others. However, overall, baby wearing is less stressful on your arms and back.