Many sling users have found that it is easier on the back and shoulders than carrying their infant in a car seat. The weight of the child is spread more evenly across the upper body. This is particularly true for babywearing systems that use both shoulders rather than one.
Slings can also be a stylish statement. They come in many different designs and colors to match any wardrobe. They also are available in many different types of material; anything from silk, hemp, cotton to wool, fleece, and flax/linen.
It can be somewhat difficult to learn to use a sling at first, particularly if one is learning without the help of an experienced sling user. However it is simple once one has the knack of it. Many parents find that they do not want to be anywhere without the sling, even if they are using a stroller or pushchair, as carrying a baby in the sling will often have a calming influence like nothing else. There are hundreds of resources that show how to use a sling, most of which can be found online. Some parenting groups have workshops demonstrating how to use slings.
Breastfeeding and Babywearing
Breastfeeding and babywearing go hand in hand. Using a sling offers many mothers the privacy they desire when nursing their young. A sling also allows the mother to nurse 'hands free', while tending to other activities or household chores.
Babywearing can help premature babies and babies who are slow weight gainers to gain weight at a faster rate. Since the baby is held up close to the mother, he or she will be nursed more often and often for longer intervals.
All About Babywearing: Why it's a Good Thing
Want to learn more online? Check out the Attachment Parenting International Website or visit the homepage of the attachment parenting guru, Dr. Sears.
The following is an excerpt from a Wikipedia entry on babywearing, May 2006. I think this entry does a much better job explaining babywearing than most attempts. I encourage interested people to read the whole entry as well as check out the links on this website. -L.W.
Copyright 2006: Sweet Things Baby Slings, LLC.
Many parents practice in-arms or attachment parenting, which entails wearing or carrying their babies. Parents and pediatricians alike believe that babywearing promotes a strong bond between parents and children. Many find that, most of all, babywearing makes life easier on everyone.
Benefits of Babywearing
Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician, coined the phase 'attachment parenting' (AP). One of Sears' principles of AP is babywearing. Sears attributes many benefits to babywearing and the in-arms style of parenting.
Purported Benefits of Babywearing Include:
Benefits of Babywearing
Dr. William Sears, a pediatrician, coined the phase 'attachment parenting' (AP). One of Sears' principles of AP is babywearing. Sears attributes many benefits to babywearing and the in-arms style of parenting.
Purported Benefits of Babywearing Include:
+Babies who are carried cry less due to the comfort of a womb-like environment.
+Babies learn more because they spend more time in a quiet state of alertness.
+Babies are more organized; parental rhythms (walking, heartbeat, etc.) have balancing and soothing effects on infants.
+Babies get "humanized" earlier by developing socially; babies are closer to people and can study facial expressions, learn languages faster and be familiar with body language.
+Babies who are carried benefit intellectually because of rapid brain growth due to constant daily stimuli and being an intimate part of the adult world.
+Babies learn more because they spend more time in a quiet state of alertness.
+Babies are more organized; parental rhythms (walking, heartbeat, etc.) have balancing and soothing effects on infants.
+Babies get "humanized" earlier by developing socially; babies are closer to people and can study facial expressions, learn languages faster and be familiar with body language.
+Babies who are carried benefit intellectually because of rapid brain growth due to constant daily stimuli and being an intimate part of the adult world.
Grandmother and grandchild with a ring sling......
Practicality of Babywearing
Slings allow the wearer to have two free hands to accomplish tasks such as laundry or cooking while caring for the baby's need to be held or breastfed. A sling offers a safer alternative to dangerously balancing a car seat on top of a shopping cart. It also allows children to be part of the action and to see the world from a better view. Babies and children will enjoy getting to see the zoo and other places of interest from up high and not down on the ground in a stroller or car seat.
Slings allow the wearer to have two free hands to accomplish tasks such as laundry or cooking while caring for the baby's need to be held or breastfed. A sling offers a safer alternative to dangerously balancing a car seat on top of a shopping cart. It also allows children to be part of the action and to see the world from a better view. Babies and children will enjoy getting to see the zoo and other places of interest from up high and not down on the ground in a stroller or car seat.
