Babywearing is an evidence-supported method of keeping your baby close, one that promotes bonding, calms your baby and builds your confidence as a parent or caregiver. Whether you're using a wrap, sling, or structured carrier, the benefits are emotional, physical, and practical.

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There are huge benefits of babywearing:

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Soothes and Calms: One of the biggest benefits of babywearing is how quickly it can settle a baby. Babies are born expecting to be held, it’s where they feel safest. Carried babies cry significantly less, particularly during the evening when crying tends to peak.

 

A well-known 1986 study by Hunziker & Barr found that babies who were carried for just a few extra hours a day cried 43% less overall, and 51% less in the evening.

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When you wear your baby, they can hear your heartbeat, feel your warmth, and be comforted by your movement, reminding them of the womb and helping to regulate their nervous system.

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Builds Bonding and Attachment: Wearing your baby helps build a strong emotional bond, not just between mums and babies but for dads, grandparents, partners and other caregivers too.

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When your baby is close to you, it’s easier to tune into their needs, read their cues and respond quickly and calmly.

This kind of responsive care helps to build secure attachment, which supports your baby’s emotional development and confidence as they grow. It also encourages the release of oxytocin, the “love hormone”, in both baby and caregiver, which can support mental wellbeing and breastfeeding too.

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Supports Feeding and Early Hunger Cues: Whether you breastfeed, bottle-feed or do a combination, babywearing can help you to respond to early hunger cues like rooting, sucking hands or head-turning.

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Spotting these signs early can lead to calmer, more successful feeds, long before crying starts. Plus, babywearing often involves skin-to-skin contact, which can boost hormones like prolactin and oxytocin, supporting milk production and let-down for breastfeeding mums.

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Encourages Healthy Physical Development: Babywearing isn’t passive. When carried, babies gently work on their neck and core strength, balance and body awareness and vestibular development (the sense that helps with movement, coordination, and balance).

Because they move with you as you walk, bend, or turn, your baby gets gentle, active stimulation that supports healthy development.

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Makes Everyday Life Easier: Babies still need cuddles when you’ve got shopping to do, dinner to make, or an older sibling to chase!

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Wearing your baby keeps your hands free, helps you navigate tight spaces, stairs, and public transport and lets you go places buggies can’t (like beaches, woodland paths, or busy shops).

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And for your baby, it’s more than just practical,  they get to see the world from your level, not from knee-height in a pushchair.

 

Boosts Confidence for Parents and Caregivers: Learning to babywear is a real confidence boost. It gives you a tool to comfort and calm your baby while building trust in your own instincts. It is also inclusive, allowing the person who is babywearing to have an active, connected role in caring for the baby.

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To babywear safely, you should follow the T.I.C.K.S. rule:

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T – Tight: Your sling should be tight enough to hold your baby snugly against your body. Loose fabric can cause slumping which can affect breathing.

I – In View at All Times: You should always be able to see your baby’s face by simply glancing down. Never cover their face with fabric.

C – Close Enough to Kiss: Your baby should be high on your chest, close enough to easily kiss the top of their head.

K – Keep Chin Off the Chest: A baby’s chin should never be pressed to their chest, as this can restrict their airways. Make sure there’s space under their chin, about two fingers’ width.

S – Supported Back: Your baby should be upright, with their back supported in a natural position. Their tummy and chest should be against your body with no slumping.

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Common Babywearing Myths

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“Babywearing makes babies clingy.”
False! Research shows securely attached babies actually grow up to be more independent (Anisfeld et al., 1990).

 

“They won’t learn to walk.”
False!  Being carried helps build strength, balance, and awareness, all of which support walking.

 

“It’ll hurt your back.”
False! A properly fitted sling or carrier distributes weight evenly across your body. It’s often more comfortable than pushing a heavy pram.

 

“It’s too expensive.”
False! Many slings cost less than prams and sling libraries across the UK offer affordable hire options so you can try before you buy.

 

Getting Started with Babywearing

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There are several types of slings and carriers including stretchy fabric wraps, woven wraps, ring slings and full buckle carriers or soft-structured carriers. It can be really useful to try out different options to see what suits you and your baby best at different stages of their development.

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To do so, you can visit your local sling library or book a session with a babywearing consultant. You can also talk about safe carrying techniques at these sessions or you can also access trusted video tutorials.

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In Summary

Babywearing isn’t just about convenience. It’s about connection, comfort, and confidence, for you and your baby. It supports bonding, feeding, development and your everyday life. The simple act of carrying your baby close can have lasting benefits.

 

Find your local sling library or speak with a doula (hello!) or a babywearing peer supporter. It’s a skill worth learning and one that can truly transform your parenting journey.

 

If you are based in Wiltshire, listed below are local sling libraries and babywearing consultants:

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Swindon and Devizes Sling Library: https://www.optimumdoula.co.uk/sling-library

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Salisbury Sling Library: https://salisburyslinglibrary.org/meet-the-team/

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Local Babywearing Consultant: https://www.optimumdoula.co.uk/sling-library

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Find your local sling resources: https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/sling-pages/

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If you would like to chat through babywearing in more detail or you want to find out more about how I can support you during your pregnancy, birth or postpartum, please get in touch! x

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June 2025