As mothers, we love to find natural solutions to natural problems. This makes the decline in babywearing, particularly among Western countries, surprising. After all, at one time this routine method of childcare was practiced across the globe; it is a remnant of simpler times when BPA didn’t exist, and powder formula was not even a vague idea in any mother’s head. So, what went wrong with babywearing?
One reason as to why wearing our babies became less popular could be due to the perceived lack of scientific evidence as to its benefits. In fact, many parents had concerns about the potential of children developing hip problems or becoming unable to self-soothe after receiving the near-constant attention being worn provided.
Well, it turns out that everything in the above paragraph is false. There is actually an abundance of research regarding the science-backed benefits of babywearing. Proper carriers do not cause hip issues. And babies actually cry less after receiving the comfort babywearing provides.
International Babywearing Week, which runs from October 1 - 7, seeks to shine the spotlight on this most traditional of child-rearing practices. As mothers around the globe are sharing their success stories, many parents who are less aware of the movement are choosing to get educated on what babywearing really does for their children.
We The Parents has combed through countless studies and academic papers. The result is this infographic that explores the evidence about babywearing:
Did any of these facts surprise you? How about baby-carrying reducing baby’s reflux symptoms, lessening the chance of otitis media, or aiding an infants digestion?
No parent should ever make a choice without proper data, but neither should they assume that the facts don’t exist in the scientific literature. Sometimes it’s just a case of looking in the right place.
Babywearing is certainly something consider, and who knows, you might find it looks good on you.
Author Bio:
Neve was a touring musician, then an overworked teacher, but now she's a rather more settled writer. Having found her bliss (for now), she writes about natural parenting... the undogmatic kind that doesn't get up people's noses. Find out more at WeTheParents or catch up with her on Twitter.
