Baby Wearing: Reasons

Introduction
When I had my first, I was given a baby carrier. I didn't really see many moms using them. It was kind of a here and there thing I noticed every once in a while. I tried it with my first around 4-6 months. Baby felt extremely heavy. The straps felt uncomfortable and made my back ache. My baby was on the small side too. After my second baby, this idea of wearing baby came around and I was more aware of it, seeing more mothers doing it. I became more educated about “quality” baby carriers and that baby wearing is a great helper for a mom, especially one with multiple children. What did I discover was so great about baby wearing you may wonder? Why are so many moms getting into it? I can’t tell you the reasons for every mom, but I am happy to share a few of mine.

1.     It Free Yours Hands!

It can be very difficult to walk after another child while holding a baby in your arms. Holding another child’s hand as you are crossing the street or opening a door for yourself and them while holding a heavy car seat or trying to maneuver a large stroller. This frees your hands to do things. Here are a few scenarios:

·        Stores with regular sized shopping carts: Toddler in shopping cart seat with shopping cart cover, baby in the baby carrier while you push the cart. You could even have a slightly older child sitting in the large basket of the shopping cart.

·        Pushing a double stroller: You’re walking around with your double stroller, your sleeping baby wakes up fussy. Your toddler is distracted and entertained by something else. You still have errands you need and would like to get done. Put baby in the carrier. It frees your hands to push the double stroller with your toddler in it, baby’s car seat for whenever you need to put a baby back in. If you have 3 children, 2 toddler size children, and a baby, you can wear the baby and push the 2 toddlers in the stroller.

·        Using a single stroller: This is a scenario that works best with 2 children or when you’re out with a baby and toddler. The toddler is in the stroller and your baby is placed in the carrier and you push the stroller.

2.     Wear from Newborn – Toddler

The benefits of baby wearing range from ages newborn to toddler. It is helpful for more than just the first year of life. It can be helpful for two and sometimes even three depending on how much weight your carrier can carry and how big or small your child, how much weight you can carry and if your child feels comfortable in the carrier still.

3.     Breastfeeding

Some baby carriers even allow you to breastfeed your baby in them, such as a ring sling. This one might take some practice and trial and error and discovering what works best for your baby and you while in a carrier and breastfeeding, however, I have gotten through so many trips while nursing in my baby carrier. For those who are concerned about your breast being exposed, there are ways to breastfeed without everything showing, even in carriers.