Babywearing Science – 23 Evidence Based Benefits
Babywearing: What the Science Says
Babywearing Science – If you are curious about wearing your baby, now is the perfect time to get educated on the topic. You see, the first week of October is a nine-day babywearing celebration, mothers from all over the world are taking the time to advocate for the use of slings, wraps, and carriers.
While anecdotal evidence about the practical benefits of wearing babies is both abundant and accessible, it can feel like a challenge to unearth studies that provide hard facts as to whether or not babywearing offers any developmental or health advantages.
As it turns out, though, there is plenty of evidence! You just need to know where to look and be prepared to go beyond the limited number of specific babywearing studies. In actual fact, there are plenty of scientific studies that measure the effects (on mothers and babies) of things like touch stimulation, close physical contact, holding infants upright, and skin-to-skin contact – all things that are naturally promoted when babywearing.
The Babywearing Science
We The Parents have published an infographic titled Babywearing: 23 Science-Backed Benefits. It highlights 23 studies that together create a compelling case for carrying your little one. Quite a few of the facts listed will surprise even seasoned babywearers. For example, did you know that wearing your baby could actually increase parasympathetic vagal activity by mimicking a gentle massage? This in turn leads to an improvement in digestion.
Research indicates that babywearing has a profound and diverse set of benefits for both parent and child; everything from mother-child bonding (even among moms battling depression), to helping tackle those frustrating reflux symptoms in infants.
With such a wealth of evidence, the question isn’t will you carry your baby, but how will you wrap them?
Ali Devereaux May 13, 2019 at 11:59 pm
This is such an amazing post! I’m so glad I came across this! I’m wondering if you would be ok if I link this page in a blog post I’m writing? I’m starting to develop blog content so I can launch in June 2019. I would link this page in my post on sewing your own ring sling. I’d love to hear back from you! Thanks!
-Ali Devereaux, The Part Time Pinning Mom
DianaR May 15, 2019 at 2:03 pm
How exciting! I’d love to be linked from your blog, Ali. Best of luck and have fun!
The Cozy Mommy July 15, 2021 at 7:28 am
Such a useful post. I feel baby wearing is an evolutionary instinct to respond to baby’s primal needs. This article helps moms who would rather let their babies cry themselves to sleep.
DianaR July 24, 2021 at 3:25 pm
I’m glad you like it and I agree it’s information moms should have. The more information, the better they can make decisions for their families. Thanks for stopping by!
Janthea Brigden July 29, 2021 at 12:48 am
I carried all of my children from birth having read Jean Leidloff back in the early 90,s. I also co slept.
I run a childcare company hand have always insisted my staff wear younger babies during their stay with us. Recently a ‘baby wearing consultant’ trying to sell me her slings, told me that babies should not be worn for longer than 20 minutes facing outwards or it over stimulated them. Is there any evidence to support this please?
DianaR July 30, 2021 at 10:44 am
Hi, Janthea – there is no evidence of harm from facing forward. However, there are a few reasons that facing forward that can be less optimum so it’s good to know what to pay attention to if you do wear facing outward.
I have a whole blog post about this which you can see here: https://wrapyourbaby.com/on-facing-out/