By Nicola Wolters

As a new parent, there is nothing more frustrating, never mind exhausting than when you can’t put your baby down.

Despite your baby being healthy, well fed and having a fresh diaper the minute you put them down, the crying starts.

The minute you pick them up it stops. Happily nestled in your arms, your baby drifts off to sleep for an hour or so. As for your plans to wash the dishes, do a load of laundry, never mind take a shower or cook dinner, well they are out window once again.

What can you do? Grow another pair of hands?

In order to understand why babies cry when being put down, it helps to look at the world from their perspective.

One day a baby is inside its mother, warm, snuggled in tight, everything is dark, there are lots of loud muffled sounds, and almost constant movement. Within a short time a baby finds itself in a bright, cold environment, limbs flailing uncontrollably. Finally comfort is found in the arms of its parents when suddenly the baby is placed somewhere all alone and the cute decor of the nursery really doesn’t cut it. Unless you are lucky enough to be able to grow another pair of arms, you are pretty much stuck holding your baby.

It is time you discovered “Babywearing”.

Increasingly popular, more and more parents are discovering the joys and benefits of babywearing. Not only do babies who are carried cry less, sleep more and develop faster, wearing your baby gives you the freedom to move around hands-free.

Choosing a carrier.

Deciding what kind of baby carrier can be confusing. From wraps, to ring slings, mei teis, pouches and everything in between, there are many kinds to choose from. While it is a personal choice the fastest and easiest kind is a pouch sling. With no buckles or adjustments, your baby can be easily put in the sling and carried in a variety of positions.

Learning to wear your baby.

It is important to remember to give yourself time. Be patient when learning to use a baby carrier. Often it takes several tries to get used to it. Finding other experienced babywearers can be key to learning how to wear your baby. The guidance and shared experience will really accelerate your learning.

The benefits of babywearing.

According to a study done in Montreal in 1986, carried babies cry 43% less than babies who are put down. Crying less allows babies to be in the quiet-alert stage more often therefore encouraging more learning. By being so close to their caregiver, carried babies are humanized earlier through being involved in daily activites, seeing faces and interacting with the world around them.

The freedom of babywearing.

Once you are comfortable wearing your baby, it opens up a world of possibilities. Going for a walk, shopping and breastfeeding can more easily be done with your baby in a sling! Once you become a babywearer you will wonder how you managed without!

About the Author: Nicola Wolters is a certified birth and post-partum doula. She attends births and teaches babywearing and baby soothing. She is also a partner in the company Z’fina, manufacturer beautiful and unique designer baby slings. More information about babywearing and slings can be found at

zfina.com

Source:

isnare.com

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