Babywearing: The Ultimate Parenting Hack
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Here is something nobody adequately explains before you have a baby:
Sometimes your baby will not want to be put down.
You will hold your baby while you eat lunch.
You will hold your baby while making lunch.
You will absolutely hold your baby while peeing.
And eventually you’re going to look at this adorable little person who has apparently taken up permanent residence on your body and think:
I would really like my hands back.
Enter: babywearing.
Honestly, it might be the ultimate parenting hack.
Strap That Baby On
Baby wants to be close to you.
You would occasionally like the use of both arms.
These things can coexist.
And if you have an older child? Now we’re talking survival skills.
Toddler needs your hand in the parking lot? Strap the baby on.
Preschooler wants to go to the zoo? Strap the baby on.
Need to get two children from the car into Target without growing another set of arms?
Strap. That. Baby. On.
Want to unlock the advanced level someday? Baby on the front, toddler on the back.
We’re not teaching your babywearing PhD quite yet. 😂
But Here’s the Nerdy Part
Babywearing isn’t just convenient.
A baby snuggled against a caregiver is getting constant sensory information.
They’re feeling your movement. Hearing your voice and heartbeat. Experiencing changes in position as you walk, bend and move through your day.
That movement provides vestibular input — information about movement and balance — while the pressure and contact against your body provide proprioceptive input, helping your baby’s developing nervous system learn where their body is in space.
And then there’s regulation.
Your warmth, smell, voice, breathing and movement are all familiar sensory cues. Young babies aren’t particularly good at regulating themselves yet. They rely heavily on co-regulation with their caregivers.
So when your baby settles the second you pick them up?
There’s physiology behind that.
Turns out babies aren’t manipulating you. They’re just tiny humans with very immature nervous systems.
And babywearing gives them all of that input while giving you your hands back.
Pretty cool.
Bonus: The Baby Bubble
Cold and flu season with a newborn is fun.
Everyone wants to see the baby.
Get closer to the baby.
And inexplicably, touch the baby.
Know what’s considerably harder to touch?
A baby attached to your chest.
Babywearing isn’t a germ-proof force field, obviously, but it does make it a whole lot easier to keep baby close and discourage the passing-around-the-room situation.
Sorry. Can’t pass the baby. They’re literally attached to me. 😉
Then You Try to Buy a Carrier…
Stretchy wrap. Ring sling. Soft structured carrier. Woven wrap. Meh dai. Half buckle. Onbuhimo.
You just wanted to hold your baby and somehow you’ve discovered an entire subculture.
And WHY is that stretchy wrap 47 feet long?!
That’s why Whitney created Baby’s First Ride: Babywearing 101.
Because before your baby takes their first ride, we should probably make sure their tiny little vehicle is properly fitted. 😂
Think of Whitney as your babywearing driving instructor.
We’re starting in the parking lot. Stretchy wraps and soft structured carriers. Airway safety. Hip positioning. Newborn positioning. Proper fit.
No parallel parking. No toddler on the back while baby rides up front.
That’s advanced babywearing. You haven’t earned your license yet.
Already own a carrier? Bring your ride and Whitney can help you figure it out.
Don’t own one yet? Even better. Test drive before you buy.
Pregnant? Bring your partner or support person and something to practice with.
Already have your baby? Bring your tiny passenger!
Because someday very soon you may have a crying baby, a hungry toddler, an uneaten sandwich and two hands for approximately seven jobs.
Time to strap that baby on.
Come take Baby’s First Ride with Whitney.
We’ll get you road-ready. 😂🧡
Get details on Baby’s First Ride: Babywearing101 here.
