Page 68 - Mother & Baby - UK (March 2020)

Babywearing:

THE lowdown

Wondering if carrying your baby is for you, or what on earth

to do with all that fabric? Here’s what you need to know...

onstant cuddles and the gift perseverance to find the one which worked
of reclaiming your hands – best for her, a journey that inspired her to start
it’s no wonder babywearing is offering babywearing support to others.
growing in popularity in the ‘I loved being able to have my child close, to
UK! Slings and baby carriers talk to him and communicate easily,’ she says.
Care a great source of comfort ‘I am deaf, and lip read, so being able to feel
to your baby – by being kept close to you he him beginning to make noises meant I could
can hear your heartbeat and feel your body MEET THE be responsive quickly and meet his needs
warmth, while your movement mimics the EXPERT before he became really upset.’
comforting rocking motion he felt when he Dr rosie Knowles is a
was in your womb, to help keep him calm. GP, carrying consultant, Why carry?
But they’re about convenience too – no author of Why Babywearing is an effective way of comforting
one enjoys manoeuvring a pram onto public Babywearing Matters, an upset baby but it can have a relaxing
transport or around busy shops and cafés, and a mum of two; effect on you as well. Being close to your
and carrying your baby or toddler in your carryingmatters.co.uk baby triggers your brain to release the
arms can quickly become heavy and hormone oxytocin, which will help you to
uncomfortable. But with many types feel calm and content. ‘Mums feel better for
of carrier available, it can be hard to the cuddles,’ says Rosie, ‘but also because
know which one to try, and a bad first they become confident that they can calm
‘Let
experience can leave you wondering their baby, meet his needs and still be
other family
whether babywearing is really right hands-free to do what they want to.
members bond through
for you after all. Babywearing is an age-old practice
babywearing, too – my
Carrying consultant Rosie that helps life to work.’
husband really enjoys it.’
Knowles knows only too well that A study carried out at Columbia
Vicky Williams, 29,
getting to grips with baby carriers University in New York found that
from Sheffield, is mum to
can be a confusing business. She using a soft baby carrier from an
Rupert, 18 months, and
quickly stopped using the first two early age helped promote a strong
PHotoGraPHyGettyimaGes, sHutterstoCk
Clover, three, and is
carriers she tried with her son more and secure attachment between
expecting her
than 10 years ago, and it took mothers and their babies.
third child
It concluded that the increased
physical contact created
STay SafE from using carriers made
mothers more responsive to
Make sure your baby is safe headeasilywhileheisinthe
in his carrier by following carrier,butmakesurehecan their baby’s needs, which helped
the TICKS rule: stillmovehisheadfreely. to promote bonding.
● T is for tight. your carrier ●Kisforkeepchinoffchest. Some mums worry that babywearing could
should be close fitting to ‘His chin should be off his discourage their child from being independent
make sure it holds your baby chest and his airway open and and hold back their physical development,
in a safe position. unobstructed, and remain so but Rosie says the opposite is actually true.
● I is for in view at all times. if he falls asleep,’ says rosie. ‘Building a happy brain that is confident
WordsCatHerineBall see your baby’s face so you ‘the sling should be snug their children a lot in the early months
and secure is essential to a child’s long-term
● S is for supported back.
make sure you can clearly
wellbeing,’ she says. ‘Most people who carry
so baby’s chest and back
can check on him easily.
find that this helps them feel more able
● C is for Close enough to
are well supported, with
to explore the world around them, as they
kiss. you should be able to
no slumping or sliding
are very sure of their parent being there
downwards,’ says rosie.
kiss the top of your baby’s
66 | Mar ch 2020 | mothe ra ndbaby.co.uk when they need them.’