My love for babywearing inspired me to become a babywearing educator. I wanted to share my passion and knowledge with new parents, and teach them how to safely and conveniently wear their babies. It still surprises me that there are so many misconceptions about babywearing today. I want to de-construct the top 5 myths for you!
Myth 1 – Babywearing Spoils Your Child
The most common misconception about babywearing is that it spoils your child. In fact, I find it to be the exact opposite – children tend to be extremely secure in their attachment, and can play independently when they need to. Babywearing offers them closeness and security when they need it, but is also very convenient for parents. The skin-on-skin contact involved in babywearing also creates an an oxytocin rush which calms and centres both child and parent.
Myth 2 – Babywearing Can Hurt Your Back
When worn properly, no sling or carrier should hurt your back. There are so many great carriers and slings available for you to choose from, you really need to find the right one for you. My top tip for ensuring that you’re wearing your baby properly is to seek out the help of a babywearing educator, to find one you can view a list here. In fact, babywearing can increase your physical fitness. My back has never looked so toned! I feel like I’m undertaking a cardio workout every day. Even now, I carry my 70 pound pre-schooler on my back in a carrier.
Myth 3 – Babywearing Creates Bad Sleep Habits
Babywearing affects your child’s sleep in the most positive of ways, especially in the crucial “fourth” trimester where they find comfort in your closeness and smell. If you have a fussy child who just won’t sleep then try wearing them! My first born was only calm and happy when I wore him. This meant that he ate while I wore him, played while I wore him, and slept while I wore him. It was a blessing to know that I could soothe him to sleep by just holding him close to my body. I later discovered that most babies who are worn, sleep more. That magical babywearing sleepy dust isn’t just a fairytale.
Myth 4 – Babywearing Reduces Productivity
The beauty of babywearing is that it allows you to multi-task. So instead of holding you back, it empowers you to be MORE productive. As a working mother, I find balancing work and family life extremely challenging. When my babies want me, they want me. They don’t care about meetings or deadlines. Babywearing allows me to tend to my baby’s needs, while also getting work tasks and errands completed.
I advocate a “wear your baby to work” philosophy at MommyCon so new moms can work while still being close to their little ones. I also travel across the country a lot for MommyCon events. Babywearing allowed me to bring my newborn (now 1 years old) everywhere with me. I jump on planes, host and organize events, and manage my team, all while wearing my babies. Baby wearing is every busy mother’s dream!
Myth 5 – Babywearing Affects a Child’s Development
Maybe it’s no secret, but one of the biggest benefits of babywearing is bonding with your baby. A child can never receive too much love and affection. In fact, it’s been proven that the more love you show your child, the more secure and well-balanced they will be be as adults. The effect is only positive!
Babywearing rocks in so many ways. What myths have you come across that need to be busted?
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Xza Higgins is the Founder and Program Director of MommyCon, the nation’s largest natural parenting convention series. MommyCon takes a gentle and positive approach to educating parents about the emotional and physical benefits of natural birthing, breastfeeding and babywearing. It advocate values of holistic health, eco-friendly diapering, child safety standards and procedures, and female self-care and wellness. Its mission is to create a community of support, acceptance and non-judgement for women journeying through parenthood.
MommyCon will be taking place in New York City on March 25th. There are six additional dates nationwide. To book tickets visit www.mommycon.com
The views and opinions expressed on this blog are purely the blog contributor’s. Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Writers may have conflicts of interest, and their opinions are their own.