Babywearing – why is it worth carrying children?

For centuries, carrying children - in their arms, on their backs, on their heads, in scarves draped over their belly - has been the most natural way to care for them and be close to them. This actually changed only when a stroller on wheels appeared , which is still probably the most popular method of moving with a child and putting him to sleep. But: wrapping is back. And that's very good, because we are carriers ¹ . This is how we build closeness and a sense of security.

Carrying a baby in a sling is scientifically justified.

You can find a lot of advice on babywearing online, as well as answers to parents' questions. Such answers are also provided by a book titled simply "Carrying Babies" by Marta Szperlich-Kosmala2 ^, who is an advisor to the Polish Baby Wearing Academy and the German Trageschule. "She promotes carrying as a way of caring for babies and parenting based on anthropological knowledge , and in her book she discusses all issues related to carrying children" - one can read about the author. What can you learn from the book? First of all: when can you wear a baby in a scarf? From the first days of life , you can actually start wrapping your baby as soon as the mother regains strength after giving birth. For a baby, the rocking it experiences while in a sling is a natural state, similar to its experiences in the mother's womb ³ . In addition, in this way he feels his mother's warmth and her heartbeat, which he also knows from the time he spent in the belly ⁴ .

What are the health benefits of slinging for mother and baby?

We intuitively know that carrying children has a positive impact on their development in every respect, both physical, emotional and social. We instinctively strive for closeness, which is important for both the mother and the child. The sling has been taken under the microscope by scientists who have research evidence of the beneficial effect it has on children.

Swaddled babies cry less . Research published in the magazine "Pediatrics" shows that babies who spend a lot of time in a sling cry less often - 43% cry less during the day, 51% - at night ⁵ . Such children are simply calmer , and this calmness results from the closeness of the parent. In turn, from the research of Dr. W. Sears, one of the members of the American Association of Professors of Pediatrics, shows that swaddled/worn children establish better contact with their surroundings , and that such children are more alert in terms of vision and hearing . In turn, in prematurely born children, babywearing stimulates growth and development because it works on the principle of a light massage ⁶ .

That's not all, because babywearing brings a number of other benefits that have a significant impact on the child's development and health, also in the future. Carried babies suffer less from regurgitation7 , ^vomiting , coughing, breathing and digestive ^problems8 . Babies who are carried are less likely to suffer from ^otitis media9 ^, which is associated with reflux10 . Additionally, such closeness to the baby affects feeding. Mothers who carry their babies for at least an hour a day have fewer problems with breastfeeding ¹¹ . Swaddled babies are also less likely to suffer from flattened heads ^resulting from the amount of time they spend lying down. Additionally, strengthening the bond between mother and child ^{1 3} gives more self-confidence in motherhood ¹⁴ , especially in its first stages, and may help in the fight against postpartum depression ¹⁵ .

How to properly carry a baby in a sling?

How to wear? Always facing each other, so that the baby's belly touches ours. We are talking about scarves here, not carriers - the situation is different here. But in the sling we carry the baby facing forward so that it is in a flexed-abduction position . A baby can be carried in a sling for as long as it doesn't want to get out of it, because curiosity drives it to explore the world on its own feet. I have seen 3- and 4-year-olds wearing scarves. Depending on the scarf, they can withstand a load of 20 kg, and carriers - even more. The fact is, however, that most active two- and three-year-olds "grow out of" the scarf.

There are various types of scarves available on the market , both woven and elastic. A woven scarf offers more possibilities as it can be tied in various ways, but using an elastic one is a bit easier , especially if you haven't used a scarf before. This is because it is tied before the baby is placed in it. There are also ring slings that many mothers of newborns appreciate for their comfort and quick tying. Choosing a scarf is a matter of taste and skill, and you can learn how to tie it after just a few attempts .

Usually, instructions for tying the scarf are included during sale. Additionally, you can find plenty of instructional videos on the Internet . However, if you still think that the art of tying a scarf is too complicated, you can arrange an individual consultation with a wrap consultant who will show you live how it is done. There are also scarf rental companies in large cities that you can use if you don't know which type will work for you and your child. And one more piece of advice - don't skimp on the quality of the scarf. It is best if it is made of natural materials with certificates, and the paints used during production are suitable for contact with a child's delicate skin.

Bibliography:

1. Nicolai K, (2013), “Cache or Carry? Comparative biology and infant carrying. Published online.
2. Marta Szperlich-Kosmala, "Carrying babies", published by Natuli, 2019.
3. Christensson K et al. (1995). “Separation distress call in the human neonate in the absence of maternal body contact.” Acta Paediatrica, 84(5):468-73.
4. Gatts JD, “Infant environmental transition system and method”, US Patent, US5385153A.
5. Hunziker UA, Barr RG. (1986). “Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial.” Pediatrics, 77(5):641-8.
6. Field T et al. (2010). “Preterm Infant Massage Therapy Research: A Review.” Infant behavior & development, 33.2:115–124.
7. Hopper HE, Pinneau SR. (1957). “Frequency of regurgitation in infancy as related to the amount of stimulation received from the mother.” Child Development. 28(2):229-35.
8. Diego M.A. et al. (2007). “Preterm infant massage elicits consistent increases in vaginal activity and gastric motility that are associated with greater weight gain.” Acta Paediatrica, 96(11):1588-91.
9. Tasker A et al. (2002). “Is gastric reflux a cause of otitis media with effusion in children?” Laryngoscope, 112(11):1930-4.
10. Jung WJ et al. (2012). “The Efficacy of the Upright Position on Gastro-Esophageal Reflux and Reflux-Related Respiratory Symptoms in Infants With Chronic Respiratory Symptoms.” Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Research, 4.1:17–23.
11. Pisacane A et al. (2012). “Use of baby carriers to increase breastfeeding duration among term infants: the effects of an educational intervention in Italy.” Acta Paediatrica, 101(10):e434-8.
12. Mawji A et al. (2014). “Risk Factors for Positional Plagiocephaly and Appropriate Time Frames for Prevention Messaging.” Paediatrics & Child Health, 19.8:423–427.
13. Anisfeld E et al. (1990). “Does infant carrying promote attachment? “An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment.” Child Development, 61(5):1617-27.
14. Gathwala G et al. (2010). “Effect of Kangaroo Mother Care on physical growth, breastfeeding and its acceptability.” Tropical Doctor, 40(4):199-202
15. Peláez-Nogueras M et al. (1996). “Depressed mothers' touching increases infants' positive affect and attention in still-face interactions.” Child Development, 67(4):1780-92.