Babywearing criticism bingo – full of so many myths! Part 1

But really, is there any truth to them? Are you doing it wrong when you carry your baby? It can be easy to have your confidence shaken! The good news first: No, you are doing it exactly right, listening to your intuition and carrying your child close to you. 

You probably hear this phrase the most:

Carrying spoils your baby. 

That's right! And in every sense! 

Yes, but isn't that bad? 

No, quite the opposite. Babywearing helps baby brains to develop by providing a wide range of sensory input just by participating in everyday life. Here’s how:

Sight: 
Your baby sees the world from a safe vantage point and can discover the world at an adult-eye level, but can also just snuggle up and rest against you securely when everything gets too much.

Hearing: 
Your baby hears you and the sounds of the world, how you talk to others, how you sound when you laugh, and how others sound. Plus, baby hears how everyday things sound and gets the chance to learn that some noises don't have to be scary but some you should be careful of after all. And again, if it's too much, your baby will snuggle up to you and hear your soothing voice and your heartbeat, which she already knows from time spent in the womb. Wonderful.

Feel/Touch: 
Your baby feels you and the others carrying him - everything feels different which is exciting. Daddy is different from mummy, they're different from grandma and grandad - and then they're wearing different clothes, too - that's interesting! How does the sweater feel? 

Have you noticed that when you have your baby in the carrier, you stroke his back, head or hold his little feet much more? That’s perfect! Body contact stimulates circulation, digestion, creates bonding and while you have your hands free, your child is held safely and securely in the baby carrier or sling.

Taste and smell:
What do the people carrying me taste like? What does my family smell like? Every family has a distinctive smell that babies recognize immediately after birth - after all, you have already sniffed each other extensively. And in the DIDY carrier or sling, it goes on and on: what does the food mum is eating smell like or that flower dad is holding in his hand? Can I try that, too? Which smells are fine and which are so good that I'd rather turn my head away and bury myself deep in the smell of the person carrying me?  Your baby will learn this directly from your body, and when she is big enough, she will certainly be allowed to take a bite of your apple or banana or even ice cream. Right? Always there and together with you

And then there is the 6th sense, baby’s perception of his own body in space and time (proprioceptors) - we need this sense to make walking, sitting, painting, writing, and more, at all possible. This is learnt by the way baby uses his senses to experience the world next to the body of an important person in a safely held position. 

The act of babywearing is more than just a bit of convenience: carry your child in your DIDYMOS sling or in the DIDYCarrier (half buckle or full buckle) as much and as long as you like. You are doing it just right.

This text was written by Anna, who is not only a babywearing counsellor, but also a kanga trainer and fascia and pelvic floor trainer.