Why Wear Your Baby? |
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Why Wear Your Baby?
The concept of wearing your baby resounded with me. From my studies, I knew the first two years after birth to be the most crucial to a person’s psychological health
(secondary to the first nine months, when the child grows within the mother – but God set up the right atmosphere for needs to be met throughout that stage!). Once a
child is born, so much is at stake – and in the hands of the parents. Touch is desperately needed - lots of affectionate, healthy touch. Baby wearing fits the bill
beautifully, ensuring that touch is supplied in abundance. Breastfeeding is the perfect companion to baby wearing, providing touch and nourishment at the breast
(interestingly, the Hebrew word for breast means 'that which is enough’).
After my first child was born, I was in shock regarding the demands of mothering. Any baby, even a so-called ‘easy’ one, demands sacrifice from its parents
that perhaps couldn’t be comprehended until their arrival. My first child was a high need baby. He was only happy when held, only slept when right at my side,
was awake hours through the night, and nursed like a crazed addict! That first year was definitely one of the hardest of my life. “What have we done??” I asked
myself, feeling guilty for having the thought. I was downright scared; wondering if this was our new permanent existence. Of course, it wasn’t. It was our
intense introduction to parenting – our own boot camp! It was also God’s 101 class which He enrolled us in to learn a little on selflessness!
I thank God for my mother’s purchase of “The Baby Book” at a garage sale for me. Without knowing the “strange” philosophies she was placing in my hands, she
helped equip us with what we needed to meet our baby’s high needs. By wearing my son, I was able to give him the touch he needed while going about my days doing
what needed to be done. In addition, I was able to nurse him discreetly wherever I was. I remember the peace my sling provided by allowing me to breastfeed while
strolling the grocery store aisles when my son was four weeks old. I didn’t need to panic while finding a private spot to sit. I didn’t need to make my son cry
for five minutes, wondering why I wouldn’t feed him. I simply positioned him and latched him on. What freedom!
Besides the obvious benefits of touch and breastfeeding support, baby wearing has blessed us in other ways. Did you know, for example, that wearing your baby
while moving about has the same effect on their muscle development as tummy time (in which your baby lays on the floor on his tummy)? As you move your body, your
baby moves his body in response, building strength gradually. Baby wearing also puts your baby in the perfect state for learning – contented and quiet, at the level
of your conversations and activities. In addition, studies have shown that babies cry about 40% less while being held. Wearing your baby strengthens the bond
between you, as you are able to respond quickly to their cues. This beautiful flow of communication between you and your baby is not practical when your baby is
away from your body.
To be fair, wearing a sling did take some practice. I usually tell people that though a sling is not ‘intuitive,’ it is well worth it (much like breastfeeding!).
I’m indebted to the kind ladies from La Leche League for those first lessons on baby wearing. Through the years I still continued to make certain mistakes, due to
my ignorance, which made things harder than they needed to be. I’d love to pass that knowledge on to you so you won’t have to suffer needlessly. For starters,
when I bought my first sling, I took some incorrect advice and bought one size too big in order to share the sling with my husband. With a padded sling, which is
my personal preference, the correct size is a must. When I switched to my correct size with my second son, I was amazed at how much better my back felt!
I had worn my first son too low and too loose because I couldn’t tighten the sling as needed, which resulted in back pain. Not to mention, I couldn’t be hands-free!
Secondly, it wasn’t until my third son that I discovered I’d been wearing the shoulder pad in the wrong position (on top of my shoulder, rather than diagonally on my
shoulder cap), which results in back pain. For more information on correct sling wearing and baby positions, visit
our sling wearing help page. Also keep in mind that we’re always an e-mail or phone call away if you need help.
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