Babywearing is one of the best things you can do for your baby. It’s been something crunchy moms have done for ages, but in the last few years, it’s become totally mainstream. This is great news, because moms everywhere are learning the benefits of this timeless practice. But, what is babywearing and why should you do it? Here’s our breakdown:
Why Should You Babywear?
Babywearing has some serious benefits for you and your baby. Studies have shown that babies who are carried for a least 3 hours a day cry less often. They cry 43% less during the day and 51% less during the night. WOW. That’s a significant percentage. Can you imagine the sleep and peace you could achieve with 50% less crying in your life?
Babywearing also helps your baby stabilize their heartbeat and develop good breathing patterns during those early weeks. Breastfeeding, bonding, and sleeping improves with babywearing too! Plus, babywearing keeps you hands-free to get things done during the day. So, really, all the things you stress about during those newborn months can improve with a little close contact babywearing. Amazing!
So, if you don’t have a baby carrier on your registry, or you’re suffering in these early weeks with your new little wildling, definitely grab yourself a good carrier. (We’ll get to some good ones here in a minute. Hold tight!)
How Do You Babywear?
There are definitely some valid concerns when it comes to babywearing. A poorly supported baby can lead to hip issues, spine strain, and even suffocation in extreme instances. So, how do you know your baby is safe?
First of all, make sure you know how to use the carrier you purchased. A buckle carrier will likely be more straightforward to use, whereas a wrap has more of a learning curve. But, no matter what you use, follow this checklist to confirm your baby is secure and safe:
This acronym might sound intimidating, but when using your carrier properly, these are easy to achieve! Be mindful of the list, but don’t let this scare you out of babywearing. Remember, there are tons of benefits to babywearing, so the learning curve is well worth it. Here are some great carriers to try out:
Best Baby Carriers
Nature Baby Organic Ring Sling
This all-organic cotton ring sling is perfect for every stage! You can adjust it to comfortably fit a baby or a toddler, so one purchase can take you all the way through your babywearing journey. It can be used in 3-different positions too. It's easy to find your most comfortable wrap style!
The only downsides to these are the rings and wrapping. It’s challenging for some at first to figure out a good supportive fit, but there are instructions included to help you out. Additionally, some say their hair often gets caught in the aluminum rings. So, if you wear your hair down, you might want to consider another option.
Boba Classic Wrap
Instead of rings for adjustment, the Boba wrap uses wrapping and knotting to get the perfect fit. You can get a really snug fit that’s super comfortable for you and your baby! It’s made of organic knit cotton that feels so nice around you. (Way better than buckles and straps in our opinion!)
It’s suitable for babies 7 lbs - 35 lbs. So, it won’t take you all the way through your journey, but not all babies like to be carried after a certain age anyway. Plus, it’s a good price, so if you have to buy a second carrier it’s not the end of the world!
Baby K’tan Baby Wrap
If all the wrapping is intimidating to you, but you don’t want the discomfort from a buckle carrier, the K’tan is a great in-between. It doesn’t require any rings or ties. You simply slip it on and place baby inside in one of five position options! It’s super easy!
This one is also birth - 35 lbs and is made of 100% organic cotton. It is a little pricey for the amount of time you can use it, but for the ease of use, it’s well worth it for money! It comes in multiple sizes to make sure it fits well on your body, so ensure you follow the sizing guide. The Baby K’tan is a great babywearing choice!
Beco Gemini
Here’s a buckle carrier that features 4 carrying positions! It doesn’t require any wrapping or knotting, but instead uses adjustable buckles. It fits up to 35 lbs and it includes an ergonomic baby seat, so your baby is always in the perfect position. This one even has a pocket to keep cards or cash!
There are plenty of buckle carriers out there that work for all ages, but they do get more complicated the more positions they offer. So, if you’re looking for a carrier that’s relatively simple, this is a great pick!
Ergobaby Omni Dream Baby Carrier
This one is sort of a legendary favorite. It fits comfortable for the whole journey and features a lot of carry options. You can rock it like a backpack, have your baby forward-facing or rear-facing, and sling your baby over to the side. Whatever is comfortable for your baby at that age is possible with this carrier!
It’s a buckle and straps style, so no need to wrap! However, some people do find it just as complicated to get the right fit using the harnesses and straps. So, choose your hard. Anyway, this carrier is made with soft cotton, has a phone pocket, and comes with a privacy hood for breastfeeding. How cool?
Meh dais are traditional Chinese baby carriers, so their some of the OG babywearing options out there! This one is sort of a cross between that classic meh dai and a buckle carrier. So, it’s like the best of both worlds with traits from a wrap and a buckle carrier!
This is another one that allows you to babywear for well into those toddler days. There’s only two carrying positions, but that adds to the simplicity of the carrier. Less complicated and more comfortable for you and your little wildling! It comes at a pretty penny, but for the comfort and length of use, you won’t regret the purchase!
Babywearing is beneficial for you and for your baby!
Babywearing isn’t just a great way to keep your hands free for household errands, it’s also a great way to foster the development of your growing little wildling. Find the perfect carrier for you and your child, and start experiencing all the benefits of this crunchy-mom hack.
And, for more crunchy mom tips and tricks, check back on our blog weekly! We talk mostly about cloth diapering (which you can totally do while babywearing, btw), but we spend time discussing all things parenting! See you next week! Until then, browse our shop and hang out with us on Facebook. We can’t wait to meet you!