Wednesday, August 02, 2006

The Benefits of Babywearing For Babies

Babywearing reduces crying: Research has shown that babies who are carried cry (on average) up to 43% less overall and up to 54% less during the evening. (1). Many families report that their newly adopted child cried for several days unless being carried. Family Tais can make this initial period of adjustment easier on everyone.

Babywearing stimulates mental development: Babies who are worn spend more time in a “quiet, alert state” when carried, which is the ideal state for learning. Their senses are stimulated by the world around them, yet they can be comforted by you quickly if the sights and sounds become a little overwhelming. This is especially important for newly adopted children who may have little experience with the bustling world outside of the orphanage.

Babywearing promotes bonding and attachment: Babywearing helps promote a sense of security and trust. Bonding and attachment do not happen immediately, but carrying your child close to you in a Family Tai carrier may help. It can help them get used to your face, your scent, your voice and your heartbeat, which can help promote the bonding and attachment process (2). Dr. Bill Sears, of www.askdrsears.com states, “Home to a baby is where mother and father are, and the sling is a constant reminder of baby's "home." It makes adaptation to new environments easier and travel more pleasant for the whole family. "

Babywearing in a Family Tai mei tai or sling promotes good physical development: Many of the major brands of baby carriers leave your baby dangling by the crotch. Mei tais and slings, when worn correctly, provide a pouch for your baby to sit in with her knees above her bottom. This position, which must be more comfortable, is much better for baby’s spine, hips, and pelvis.

1. Hunziker, U. A. and Barr, R, G. (1986). Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics, 77, 641-8.
2. Anisfeld, E., Casper, V., Nozyce, M. and Cunningham, N. (1990). Does infant carrying promote attachment? An experimental study of the effects of increased physical contact on the development of attachment. Child Development, 61, 1617-1627.