Becoming a parent is one of life’s greatest gifts. Not to mention, creating a human life and carrying it into this world is pretty stinking epic. Which is why the trend to carry your baby and keep him or her as close to you as possible once they enter the world continues – and why babywearing is still all the rage amongst some parent populations.

While babywearing is certainly a personal preference (hey, we don’t judge), we want to make sure you know everything there is to know about the benefits of baby wearing so that you get the most out of your experience. As a leading Plantation family chiropractor with extensive experience in working with the teeniest of newborns, safety and security is our first priority for mom, dad, and baby as they begin their new partnership together.

But first, what is babywearing?

Babywearing is the practice of wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or in another form of carrier. It has been practiced for centuries around the world. In the modern world, babywearing has gained popularity in recent decades and has even started its own movement around the United States, with babywearing groups and clubs popping up around the country.

No matter which side of the babywearing fence you’re on, facts are facts, and the truth is, there are many positive benefits to babywearing.

As reported by the International Chiropractic Pediatric Association (ICPA), studies have revealed that our children’s social, emotional, and physical development are all significantly affected by early exposure to motion and human contact. As in, the more human contact and motion your baby experiences, the better it is for their development. Sounds like a no-brainer, right?

The widely popular “attachment parenting” style, developed by William Sears, has made babywearing a more common practice. Attachment parenting is a parenting philosophy that proposes methods which aim to promote the attachment of parent and infant not only by maximal parental empathy and responsiveness but also by continuous bodily closeness and touch.

Here are some other benefits to babywearing that might make you want to swap your stroller for a sweet swaddle:

Emotional Health:

A study at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons concluded that babies carried on their mother’s body in the first months of life showed significant increase in bonding and emotional health over babies carried in plastic infant seats.

Decreased Risk of Flat-Head Syndrome:

By wearing your baby in a sling for a large part of the day, you are avoiding the constant pressure placed on their still-forming skulls from laying in a stroller or swing all day.

Increased Breast Milk Production:

If you are experiencing a lack of breast milk production or want to ensure your flow stays strong, babywearing can help! By keeping your baby in close contact, your body responds by boosting breast milk production.

Promotes Early Language Development:

Babywearing has often been said to give your baby the “best seat in the house,” allowing them to experience all of your interactions and give them a better grasp on language, earlier.

From the chiropractic perspective, you’ll want to ensure a few things so that your babywearing adventures keep your baby’s body and spine safe and sound. Another useful tip on babywearing for postural wellness from the ICPA includes “discussing variations of postures for your baby’s optimal development.”

“Choosing a single carrier that offers maximum diversity with all of these considerations is not easy. It is therefore advisable that parents have a variety of carriers on hand for various stages of baby development, weight gain, and mutual comfort for parent and child. Parents should also vary the use of their carriers on a daily basis. Alternating carriers and maintaining awareness of postures will offer both parent and baby the maximum benefits of baby wearing.”

At Dr. Gena Chiropractic in Plantation, located just minutes west of Fort Lauderdale, we are happy to answer all of your babywearing questions to meet the needs of you and your new baby. With extensive babywearing options on the market today, we want to ensure you find the fit that is best for you.

Your health is in your hands, our hands are here to help both you AND your baby!