The Advantages Of Baby Slings
Carrying your baby in a sling is not a new concept. For
thousands of years, many cultures have carried infants in a
sling. In modern society, especially Western nations, carrying
your baby in a sling is a relatively new practice. Contrary to
popular theory, babies who are carried and held frequently do
not become dependent and clingy. They actually grow into
happier, well adjusted individuals and will cry less than babies
who are held only at feeding time and intermittently throughout
the day. Babies who are carried and held the majority of the
time have the need for touch and closeness filled at a very
early age, leading them through their childhood with a sense of
security and protection.
Baby slings are very different from front carriers. A front
carrier allows the baby's legs to hang down and the most of the
baby's weight rests at the base of his or her spine. A sling
allows the baby's weight to be distributed evenly and will
provide all-over support. If you have never tried a sling, you
will need to experiment with it to find the most comfortable
position for both you and your baby. You will need to make sure
the sling hangs no lower than your bellybutton to prevent back
strain and make sure you walk around a bit immediately after
placing your baby in the sling to allow him/her to settle in.
Babies like movement and are very content in a sling while to
mother is going about her daily activities.
Being carried in a sling will not spoil a baby. The human infant
develops trust, compassion, and deep emotional bonds with others
at a very early age. A baby sling will give your child warmth
and comfort, and the continual close contact with the mother
will result in dramatically less crying and discontentment. Your
baby's emotional, intellectual, and physical development can be
greatly enhanced when you spend a large amount of time in close
contact with your baby during early infancy.