Photo courtesy of Digital Cheese Photography
The next "Baby B" of attachment parenting, as described by Dr. Sears in "The Baby Book", is baby wearing.There is so much to say about it, I don't even know where to begin!
Baby wearing is the art of putting your baby into some sort of carrier and "wearing" them on your body. The benefits of this practice are numerous:
- Baby is not shocked with separation from the mother after the birth. He can still hear his mother's heartbeat as well as feel the comfort of her steps - just as when he was in the womb. Dr Sears states that "The womb lasts eighteen months: Nine months inside the mother, and nine months outside." (Sears, 302)
- Baby becomes more alert because he is on an adult's level. He can see what is going on and learn at a more rapid pace than if he was laying down by himself.
- Baby cries less because he is in his caregiver's arms.
- Communication skills are learned at an early age because baby learns the facial expressions, tone of voice, and subtle movements of his caretaker. He is more in tune with the emotions of others.
- Baby does not waste his energy on crying for the caregiver to pick him up and can use that energy to grow and learn.
- Parents can go about their busy lives with their child right on them. There is no reason to stop and pick the baby up or check on him since he is right there! He may even take a nap on you while you go about your day.
- Baby wearing promotes attachment between caregivers and baby.
A baby carrier should support the leg and hip area, putting the child in a natural seated position. If the legs are forced down and together, your baby could be at risk for hip dysplasia as well as hip dislocation. Not to mention the fact that they are dangling from a small piece of fabric in their private area. (These types of carriers are called "crotch danglers" in the baby wearing community.) Take a look at this awesome link from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute to see what a correct baby carrier should look like on your baby.
How Babywearing Works for Us
We are not expert babywearers and the reaon is simple - Baby J has not always been fond of it. I started wearing him when he was about a month old and he hated it.
I started with a wrap style carrier. It took a lot of time and YouTube videos but I finally understood how to use it. I was so proud, but Baby J was not impressed. He cried and tried to eat the whole time because his head was right in line with my chest. If he was going to be near his food, he wanted to eat it!
We put the carrier away for a while and just carried him in our arms.
After a while I decided to try a soft structured carrier. It seemed easier and more comfortable for Baby J. It took a little adjustment, but he likes it overall. I wear him a lot, but he still prefers to be held in my arms over being in the carrier. I use it when I have a lot to do or when my arms get tired from carrying him. I do a front carry with this carrier (a back carry results in much hair pulling), and find the hip carry to be a little uncomfortable. I'm very close to buying a ring sling for the hip carry I and am really excited!
The bonding that has taken place while wearing and holding Baby J is incredible. Although we have not always worn him, he has been on our level and interacting with us for much of the day - every day since birth. We always get comments about how focused and calm he is. I attribute it to wearing him and holding him so much.
There are times when it gets frustrating and exhausting. I find myself needing a break and just wanting to be able to set him down. He is not very enthusiastic about being set down. Who am I kidding? He hates it! But we are working on that. We try to balance the wearing time and the floor time. Both are important parts of growing and learning.
Do you wear your baby? Did they like it right away or did it take a little getting used to?
