Babywearing is a great way to keep your little one close, happy and secure while supporting their intense need for attachment in the early weeks and months?they just want to snuggle up and recreate the womb! It often leads to a calmer baby?and a calmer parent, too. Plus, for some infants, carrier naps are sometimes the only surefire way to get them to sleep. This is why, as a midwife and certified babywearing educator, I recommend starting as soon as you?re feeling ready. I also have four kids, and believe me, you?re going to want to have your hands free to get stuff done around the house or simply to feed yourself.
You may feel ready a few days after your baby is born, or several weeks after, depending on your delivery and whether you?re up and about or still happily resting in bed. Common reasons to hold off include pain, pressure or discomfort in your pelvis, or a smaller baby who is not yet an appropriate size to be worn safely. (Most carriers are designed for infants 7 or 8 pounds and up.) If you had a C-section, babywearing for brief periods should be OK because newborns are fairly light, and your carrier shouldn?t rub against your incision. (Most carriers, slings and wraps for newborns should be worn much higher than your waist, with the baby?s head at your chest level.) But it?s always best to listen to your body and discuss it with your doctor or midwife. Please don?t rush if it?s not feeling right or has been discouraged by your healthcare team?you have lots of ti...