Infant development researchers who have studied baby care practices around the world reveal that there are many significant benefits for babies who are carried in baby slings. Here are only a few...
Babywearing has been shown to enhance mental development. Sling babies spend a greater amount of time in the "quiet alert" behavioural state, the optimal state for learning. Sling babies are intimately involved in their parent's world, more exposed to and engaged in what is going on around them. Environmental experiences stimulate nerves to branch out and connect with other nerves. It is through this process that the brain grows and develops. Studies have reported that sling babies show advanced speech development and enhanced visual and auditory alertness.
Post Partum Depression is much less common in mothers who wear their babies. This may be due to several factors, including the mother's hormonal stimulation and her baby's reduced crying.
Scientific research has reported that babies who were carried for at least 3 hours a day cried 43% less during the day and 51% less at night (both while in and out of the carrier).
The deeper the connection between parent and child, the easier discipline will be. Wearing your baby in the sling will enhance this connection. Credible research comparing well-connected children with poorly connected children has shown that connected children are more secure, settled, trusting, sociable, considerate, co-operative, willing to share, empathetic, sensitive, positive, adaptable, confident, affectionate, persistent and eager to learn.
Because of the calming effect motion has on infants, babies cry significantly less. Because they spend less time crying, this energy can therefore be diverted into growing. It has also been speculated that babywearing promotes growth hormones and enzymes that stimulate growth.
A consistent flow of the "bonding" mothering hormones prolactin and oxytocin is stimulated during babywearing. These hormones give moms motherly feelings which can improve the caregiving of the mother. Hormones have a biological measure of activity called a half-life. The half-life of a substance is the amount of time required for one half of the substance to be used up in the bloodstream. Mothering hormones have a very short half-life of about 20 minutes. Thus, in order for a mother to maintain a consistently high level, these hormones need to be stimulated around every 20 minutes. The frequency of touching and breastfeeding helps keep these bonding hormones high. The higher and more consistent these hormones are the easier mothering can be.
Older siblings may be more accepting and less jealous of a new baby when he or she is carried in the sling. Babywearing allows the mother to have her hands free so she can mother both children well.
Being touched and carried has a beneficial effect on a baby's digestive system. Studies have shown that infants who could not feel or see their caregiver had more stress hormones circulating through their bloodstreams. Stress irritates the baby's digestive system causing the baby to spit up more often and increases the occurrence of diaper rash.
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Included with each
sling is...
- a 10-page instructional booklet, "The Science and Fine Art of Babywearing", describing the philosophy of babywearing as well as clear and detailed instructions on how to "Wear Your Baby!"
- a linen sachet containing wild-harvested lavender, renowned for its calming and balancing properties.
