Thank you to MiaMily Baby Carriers for sponsoring today’s post, all thoughts and opinions remain my own. Original photography by Jessica Miccio.
Babywearing is my JAM. If you read my post about newborn colic you know I am a huge advocate of babywearing and staying close to your babe. I know it’s not for everyone but, it came very naturally for us and fortunately, Luca took to it right.
I wore him in a wrap for the first six months, every single day. I wore him at home, when we went out, working at the farm, outside gardening…you name it and I was wearing him. Really the wrap was the only place he would nap!
Around seven months we transitioned to the carrier and it was perfect timing because I had to be at the farm every day for busy season (we have an apple orchard one hour north of NYC so everyone and their brother comes!). We did outward-facing when he was awake and inward-facing for nap time.
I really felt like I had the best of both worlds during that time. I was able to work almost full days (10am-5pm) AND have my baby with me! Still now at 11 months, I can wear him in the carrier. For our trip next week I am planning on wearing him through the airport!
I can’t express enough how much I love babywearing so I wanted to go over some of the benefits of babywearing below for your reference. And at the bottom of this post, I list our favorite wraps and carrier, #wearallthebabies!
Benefits of Baby Wearing
Bonding
I loved having Luca on me at all times. Truth be told, his birth was somewhat traumatic and we did not have an instant bond. What helped us the most was breastfeeding and babywearing. Thankfully we bonded pretty quickly after we figured out those two things. Babywearing definitely promotes affection and mama-baby bonding and it’s probably the main reason why I love it!
Learning & Exploring
Think about all of the daily tasks you do. When you babywear, baby gets to be a part of each and everything you do. Being able to experience the environment helps with cognitive and social development. Baby gets to see how you interact with the world and is really observant and alert. They just soak it all in!
Comforting
As I went over in my baby colic post, skin-to-skin contact is so important, espeially for newborns. They can hear your heartbeat, feel the warmth of your skin, smell your scent, feel your breathing, and feel your every movement (all things they were experiencing while in the womb). I highly suggest reading The Happiest Baby by Dr. Harvesy Karp if you are a new parent. He goes over the theory of the Fourth Trimester and how the most comforting thing you can do for your newborn is recreating the feeling of the womb. Babywearing does exactly this, which is one of the best benefits of babywearing.
Sleeping
Another one of the biggest benefits of babywearing is that lots of babies are able to sleep while being carried! I loved being able to take a walk or accomplish something on my todo list while Luca was snoozing in the carrier.
Would you be surprised if I told you that babies who are worn cry a lot less? Well, I’m here to tell you its the truth! In a study conducted in 1987, babies who were carried cried 43% less. This is great news for moms who struggle with babies that have colic. If you are struggling with colic, check out what helped me and Luca right here!
Hands-Free Efficiency
Never underestimate how much you can do while babywearing! I was able to work at the farm, tend to my cut flower garden, go shopping and many other household chores while wearing Luca. The only thing I am not able to do while wearing him is sit down!
It’s also so nice because when I wear Luca, I don’t have to figure out how to entertain him at all times. He is already intrigued by what is happening around him seeing new people and places. I am also comforted by the fact that he is on me and can’t get into mischief!
Reduces the Risk of Flat Head Syndrome
I don’t have personal experience with flat head syndrome, but it was definitely something that was on my mom radar early on. There are lots of reasons as to why babywearing is a great way to reduce flat head syndrome (read more HERE). But basically, the best thing you can do is keep pressure off the back of your baby’s head whenever possible. Babywearing definitely does that! It keeps baby’s head upright, so it’s perfect.
Boosts Breastmilk Production
There are so many things that play into breastmilk production, but mom’s body can get a better reading for baby’s needs when they are babywearing. The skin-to-skin contact increases prolactin hormone levels. This is what which helps increase milk supply. When it comes to breastfeeding, there is so much to learn!
It’s also easier to feed on-the-go when you are babywearing. When Luca got hungry, I didn’t have to stop everything I was doing to nurse. He was already right there, so I could just adjust him a little so he could get latched, and I was back to doing what I was doing. GAME CHANGER! Never underestimate the convenience of babywearing!
Good for Baby’s Hips
Hip displacement can be super detrimental if baby’s legs aren’t positioned properly while babywearing.
Read more here on how important it is to be educated about hip dysplasia. There are also some great graphics to help you see how a baby should be placed in carriers. Always remember the baby’s head should be close enough to kiss (whether he’s in the wrap, sling or carrier)!
I was always really careful with Luca and where his legs were positioned, especially with how often I was babywearing. Keep their thighs wrapped around you and slightly higher than their bum.
My Favorite Wraps and Carrier
My favorite wraps (for 0-6 months) were by Solly Baby and Tuck & Bundle, and my favorite sling is WildBird. I have included photos below! They were the only ones that I felt were lightweight AND strong enough. Seriously, the materials are super strong, I always felt comfortable and safe even with my 17lb baby!
We switched to a structured carrier around seven months and at nine months upgraded to my favorite thus far – the MiaMily Hipster! You can wear it six different ways!!
I absolutely love MiaMily’s brand new HIPSTER Smart 3D Carrier. The new design is revolutionary as far as comfort for baby and mama (or dad because it’s big enough for them too, my husband particularly loves the lumbar back support belt)! Not to mention there are several built-in POCKETS, so if you’re a mom on the go or working mom like me you can carry all your belongings in one place! There’s even room for diapers, a changing pad, keys, snacks – you name it – in the big pouch under the seat.
The design is so ergonomic for baby (no worrying about hip dysplasia) and for the wearer (upper and lower back support). The material is breathable and SAFE, and the base seat is the smartest design for carrying I’ve ever seen. It works amazingly for us now that Luca is bigger, and you can even wear kids up to 44lbs!
I hope this post was helpful! Tell me in the comments – did you/do you babywear? I’d love to hear about your experience!
[…] lived in these wraps with my first, it was the only place my son would nap peacefully and now with my second […]