The Benefits of Baby Slings

Baby carriers have been created to give mothers all the help they can get while taking care of their young one. Using baby carriers or Babywearing (as it is called) is basically a way of carrying your child or toddler around with the help of a baby carrier or baby sling. Having to take care of one baby is a handful by itself. Imagine having to tend to a newborn baby while taking care of 2 other toddlers. Think about the stress that you feel when the newborn needs your undivided attention at the same time that the toddlers want their lunch. One word comes to mind - NIGHTMARE.

Reasons Why Mothers Should use Baby Slings or Baby Carriers

There are a number of benefits to using baby carriers or slings to carry your child around. Let's start with the obvious.

Multi-tasking - With a baby sling you can do housework; tend to other children, breastfeed and more. This is because your hands are free while your child is securely strapped near to you. Not to mention that if you live in a densely populated area and need to travel by foot with your child then maneuvering with a baby sling is better than using a stroller.

Less Crying - Hands down this has got to be the most appreciated benefit of baby carriers. This is a fact mothers. Babies that are carried around for at least 3 hours each day will cry about 50% less than babies that are not carried around. I am sure you are now rejoicing at this fact! Now this is not surprising as we all know that babies love to be held. Want proof? Just pick up a child and you will see the joy in their face or the fact that most babies will stretch their arms out to you when you reach for them.

Promotes Bonding - Baby slings are a great way for a mother to bond with her child. This happens because the child is being held close to their mother via the baby carriers. Research has also shown that carrying your child in baby carriers can even reduce incidents of postpartum depression.

Improves Child Development - Because babies that are being carried around are constantly being exposed to new sights and sounds they are more likely to learn more words than babies that are placed in a crib to stare at a single image.

The Perfect Workout - Doing your regular household chores is a workout by itself. Imagine adding an additional 6 to 20 pounds to your regular routine. Can you say "feel the burn"? Think of baby carriers as your free lose-the-pregnancy-weight ticket. Every step around the house now becomes a workout. J

Are Baby Slings Safe?

Now obviously as a mother (especially a first time mother) you will be thinking about the safety of the child. Well if this is you, then you will be happy to know that when used properly and according to instructions baby slings and baby carriers will not cause any harm to your child.

I personally recommend baby slings over the buckling baby carriers. I found that by the time I got my son into the baby carrier and got all the buckles done up...I was crying as hard as he was! Baby slings are an easy way to get your baby into and out of a baby carrier - no muss, no fuss.

Ones designed especially for infants work well - I found the baby slings designed for toddlers up to three years of age were just too big for infants. And what 3 year old wants to ride around in a sling? Once they're walking, they are much too independent to stay in a sling!