Baby Wearing - how it can help with sleep!
When my youngest was a baby, my partner and I wore him almost all day in my well-loved Marsupi carrier (hello, velcro straps!). With two older kids to wrangle, school drop-offs and kinder runs, there just wasn’t time to sit in a rocking chair for contact naps. We did everything together from cooking meals, hanging out the washing, reading books to siblings, and even changing his big brother’s nappy…all with him snuggled right there on my chest.
Here’s a few fun facts about baby wearing, attachment and sleep support!
Close Connection
Wearing your baby keeps them close to your heart, fostering a strong emotional bond. Newborn babies form attachment through smell, they are biologically driven to be with you. This constant connection helps your little one feel safe and secure, which is so important for their development! This is also so helpful for the dads to bond with and create a close connection with their child!
Co-Regulation
Baby wearing is a handy tool for those tricky times when your baby is overstimulated or overtired and finding it hard to calm down enough to fall asleep. Co-regulation through skin to skin, baby wearing and nursing are proven methods to lower cortisol in infants and get them back to a regulated state.
Gentle Sleep Support
Baby wearing can be a lifesaver for those fussy sleep times! The gentle motion and warmth of being worn can help soothe your baby, making it easier for them to fall asleep. After all, they spent 9 months in your belly being gently swayed, so no wonder they like it so much earth side too!
Comfort for You Both
The close contact can reduce stress for both you and your baby, making those early parenting days a little easier. Plus, it’s a great way to keep them calm during outings!
I recommend talking to a baby wearing consultant to find the right style and fit for your baby and body shape! It can take some time for your back to adjust to a front load, so starting with small periods of time and building up can be a great way to get used to it.
And repeat this with me…
You can never hold a baby TOO much!
You are NOT creating a rod for your own back!
Your baby does NOT need to sleep in their cot from birth
You do not need to TRAIN your baby how to sleep or ‘self settle’
Babies DO NEED closeness, connection, and responsiveness!