The Benefits of Baby Wearing
Slings, pouches and mei tai carriers provide contact pressure, motion, pleasure, warmth, security, and sound similar to the womb. The movements of the parent while wearing your baby replicate the movements your baby felt while still in the womb, which is soothing and reassuring for your infant. (Moms, let the dads wear baby for a while. This enhances bonding between the two, and gives you a break! If you have a colicky infant (like my Lily was) try holding your baby in a carrier and vaccumming - it worked for us! The motion and sounds calmed her like nothing else.)
These carriers let your baby be held, without the unnatural spreading of your baby's legs as done in many mainstream carriers. Before I discovered pouches and mei tai's, I used one of the more popular brands of carriers (the kind easily found in any baby store). When I used the carrier for long periods, I noticed that my daughter's legs became really cold, no matter what the temperature was like outside, which always bothered me, so I was reluctant to use my carrier for long periods of time. After researching carriers, I found that many pediatricians do not recommend many of the mainstream carriers, as the baby is often held facing out, which can cause overstimulation of your infant. Also, your baby's pelvis is still soft and being formed, and the pressure from hanging in the carrier is not recommended for babies for more than one hour or so at a time. This recommendation is even given by the manufacturers of the carriers.
When babies are born, they are curled in a ball and are (usually) not comfortable if you try to straighten them out. Slings, pouches and mei tai's mimic the womb position, but then allows the infant to gradually pull out of this curled position. This helps develop good muscle tone in the neck and back of infants.
Sling carriers allow babies to see and feel their caregiver while allowing their caregiver to hold them comfortably and for longer periods of time. Being able to see and feel their caregiver lowers the stress hormones in a baby's system, thus lessening crying, spitting up, and general fussiness.
Breastfeeding can usually be done discreetly while holding your baby in a sling, pouch or mei tai carrier. Many mothers get so good at breastfeeding while wearing their baby that they do so in public without anyone being the wiser.
As your baby gets older, sling, pouches and mei tai's adjust to your baby's needs. They all can be used in different positions from the front hold infant position, to a hip position, or even on your back. When my girls were younger, I preferred a sling carrier or a pouch. Slings seemed to be more for long term use, like all day, or around the house, but pouches were so easy. Pop them in - pop them out and no adjusting. My favorite carrier right now is a mei tai carrier. I can use it to carry my toddler and even my preschooler (although not at the same time!). Although it takes getting used to, the back carry is my all-time favorite position. The girls love it too - they think it's like getting a piggy-back ride!
