It’s a sunny, Sunday afternoon, and you’re heading back from the park with your partner and your one-year-old daughter. As you walk down the road, pushing your daughter along in her buggy, you suddenly notice a family on the other side of the road. Just like yours, there is a mother, a father, and a baby girl.

But unlike your family, there is no buggy to be seen. Instead, the child is being carried by the mother in some sort of baby-wearing contraption. A contraption the child looks extremely comfortable in!

“We should get one of those!” your partner exclaims excitedly.

“But what exactly is it?”, you respond.

There are many different ways to transport your baby from A to B. Some like to use buggies, others use backpacks, and some carry them in a type of wrap or sling – commonly known as ‘babywearing’.

How you choose to transport your baby is a personal decision, and while many people are all for babywearing, others argue that it can have negative effects on a baby’s physical health and the relationship between parent and child.

So, if you’re wondering whether babywearing is for you, we’re here to give you some more information, and help you make the decision for yourself!

First off, let’s explore the reasons why some parents are for babywearing:

What are the reasons some parents are for babywearing?

It is a great way to increase closeness between parent and baby. When using a sling or wrap to carry your baby, you are bringing them closer to you, therefore encouraging the bond to grow through physical touch.

It allows you to attune to your baby’s movements, and understand their needs better. When carrying your baby in this way, you are better able to attune to their individual needs. For example, you’ll know sooner whether your baby is wet, hungry, distressed or bored.

It will increase your baby’s sense of trust in you. As you’ll be much better equipped to respond to your baby’s needs, this will naturally allow your baby to instil more of a sense of trust in you.

It reduces your baby’s stress. Another benefit of babywearing is that a baby is comforted by their closeness in proximity to the parent, which reduces their stress levels.

It can be especially meaningful for dads, partners and grandparents. For caregivers that aren’t able to have the bonding experience of breastfeeding, babywearing can be a wonderful chance to bond with their little one.

It’s really convenient. Babywearing is also extremely convenient, as it allows a parent to take care of their baby while looking after other children, or accomplish other chores simultaneously.

Now that we’ve looked at the various reasons why some parents are all for babywearing, let’s understand the point of view of those who would rather choose other methods to transport their baby:

Why do some parents choose other methods to transport their baby?

It might inhibit the baby’s desire to learn to crawl or walk. Some parents choose other methods to hold and transport their baby as they believe that wraps and slings will significantly inhibit their baby’s desire to learn to crawl or walk by themselves.

It might make the baby much less independent, and more clingy. Again, they also think that in the long term, using wraps and slings might make their baby develop a more clingy disposition.

It can cause hip, knee, neck, spine, and circulation problems. When a parent is constantly holding their baby in a wrap or sling, it also runs the risk of causing them physical issues. For example, circulation problems, or other issues with the hip, knee, neck or spine.

It can lead to overheating, constriction and even suffocation. Although it’s an extreme scenario, and quite unlikely, some people believe that wearing a baby strap can lead to constriction, overheating or worse.

Now that we’ve looked at both sides of the argument, let’s analyse how we can use this information to help you make an informed decision that is both right for you and your baby.

How can I use this information to make an informed decision?

Overall, although there are valid points for why babywearing is a good idea and not such a good idea, we believe that it’s always best to believe the science! And science tells us that the benefits outweigh the negatives. And even though there are negatives, they can be avoided by practising certain rules of thumb, and by making efforts to abide by safety measures.

Some of the standout benefits of babywearing include breastfeeding rates increasing, infant stomach aches occurring less, bonding and physical growth being promoted and colic being made more manageable.

Obviously, it is completely up to you whether you choose to use wraps and slings or not. If you are still conflicted, then it might be best to try it out for a few weeks and see how it suits you and your baby. If not, there are still plenty of other options you can go for!

Is it safe to use wraps and slings?

Are slings and wraps the right ways to carry your newborn? Unii has the answers.