NeeNooBug's Nest : Hey Mamacita, why aren't you wearing your baby!

I am finally deciding to start a blog...since I have been doing tons of research on baby wearing and so many of my friends are having babies... I figured this is a good place to start!

We are all wrapped up :).

Ok so first off baby wearing (wearing your baby on you in a wrap, sling, carrier, etc...) is nothing new. People have been wearing babies since people have been making babies... :) If you think about it, your baby has been inside of you for 9 months (longer than most relationships these days) and then your baby is born into this world which is quite chaotic compared to inside the womb...it is a huge transition. Moms now a days are so quick to put their newborn far from their reach in cold cribs and bassinets which do not give a baby a good transition into this world. More like the shock and awe method if you ask me. Think about this for a second, you and your spouse are married for 9 months. Nine months of cuddling in bed keeping each other warm...then all of a sudden he decides from now on that he will sleep on the couch. Pretty drastic...you will feel abandoned, lonely and sad. So why do we do this to our precious little babies? This is why baby wearing makes sense!(Same reason you should co-sleep/bed share with your baby, but that calls for another post...)

Baby wearing is a great transition from the womb to the outside world and not to mention that it comes with tons of benefits for you and your baby. Your baby is close to you, feeling your heart beat, breathing and body heat. Here is a list of reasons why you should as well ... ( I got most of these off of baby k'tan's website)

- It Gives you FREEDOM :) : Babywearing enables caregivers to to keep baby close and safe while still having both hands free. Caregivers have the freedom to care for other children and tend to everyday tasks while carrying their baby close to their heart. So many new moms complain about not being able to do basic things for themselves... not any more!

- It is CONVENIENT: Going out anywhere is much easier with a baby in a carrier than dragging around a bulky car seat or stroller.

- It PROTECTS your Baby: People are not quick to touch your baby without asking when you are wearing a baby versus in a stroller. Also you can easily cover your baby from wind, sun, and cold with certain carriers.

- It STIMULATES Milk Production while Breastfeeding : Yes you heard correctly. If you go topless and strip your baby to his/her diaper while wearing them, the skin-to-skin contact raises your prolactin levels which promotes milk production.

- It PROMOTES Healthy Mental and Physical Development: Enhancing your baby's IQ, good health, and psychological security and independence.

- It HELPS Babies Cry Less: You can not spoil a baby by wearing them. When an infant cries it is for a reason! So don't let them cry it out, that is being negligent to your babies needs.

- It is GOOD for Baby's Emotional Development: Baby's that are worn develop a sense of security and trust when carried which makes them more independent in the future.

-It BUILDS a Bond between you and your Baby: Your baby will have a stronger and more secure attachment to you.

- It AIDS in Advancing a Baby's Learning Abilities: Babies that spend more time in a "quiet, alert state" when carried - the ideal state for learning. Studies indicate that 'worn' babies have improved visual and auditory alertness relative to children that are frequently left on the floor or in a crib or playpen. Other studies indicate that carried babies have improved speech development since they are more directly exposed to normal adult conversation and everyday life.

- It ENHANCES Baby's Social Development: By being so close to your body's rhythms, your baby "gets in rhythm" much more quickly. Your heartbeat, breathing, voice and warmth are all familiar. Research has shown how this helps infants to adapt to life outside the womb.

- It is VALUABLE for babies whose Caregivers are Overwhelmed: Babies who are not held need more verbal interaction and eye contact, just to be reassured that you're there. Carrying your baby is a great way to connect with him or her (and provide stimulation too). Additionally, your baby is "right there" to enjoy whenever you feel like snuggling or kissing!

- It is GREAT for Other People Who Look After Your Baby: Baby carriers are a great bonding tool for fathers, grandparents, adoptive parents, babysitters, and other caregivers. Partners who work away from home, relatives and babysitters all have a ready way of connecting with and soothing your baby when they wear him or her.

-It BENEFITS Babies with Special Needs: Babies with special needs often enter the world with fragile, easily over-stimulated nervous systems. Parents attempt to find the proper balance – to provide their baby with the sensory nourishment he or she requires for optimal development, while simultaneously avoiding over-stimulation. Research has even shown that premature babies who are touched and held, gain weight faster and are healthier than babies who are not. It is well known that children with developmental delays and special needs benefit from this extra stimulation, especially during the infant stage. Baby carriers create the ideal environment for development and growth. At the same time, they offer infants a tight, swaddled, deep pressure input, providing security and assurance to infants with Sensory Integration Dysfunction, and other developmental disorders, such as Down syndrome, Autism and Cerebral Palsy.

Besides all the benefits of wearing a baby it is also very "trendy". There are so many stylish wraps out there now a days, so the sky's the limit with selection. Also, people always admire baby wearing out in public!