Parenting
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10 unexpected benefits of babywearing (besides having both hands free)
Medically Reviewed Debbie Gerken (a pediatric sleep coach and postpartum educator), Bahar Rinsler (a maternal mental health expert), Dr. Leslie M. Treece (M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician)
Written by Cradlewise Staff
Parents often say their baby settles faster when they’re held close. Turns out, there’s a reason for that. For centuries, parents around the world have carried their little ones in slings, wraps, or cloths, long before “babywearing” had a name.
Today, modern science is catching up with what generations of caregivers already knew: keeping your baby close isn’t just convenient, it’s deeply nourishing for both of you. Yes, babywearing gives you the gift of free hands for coffee, chores, or playtime with siblings but the real magic is in the hidden benefits backed by research.
You might think babywearing is just about keeping your hands free, but wait until you see the 10 unexpected ways it can transform life for both you and your baby.
Besides, the blog features expert insights from Debbie Gerken, a Certified Registered NICU Nurse, Certified Pediatric Gentle Sleep Coach, Postpartum Parent Educator, and founder of Sleep Like a Baby Consulting.
Also from, Bahar Rinsler, a Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist and Maternal Mental Health Expert and Dr. Leslie M. Treece, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician.
What is babywearing?
Babywearing is the practice of carrying your baby close to your body using a sling, wrap, or carrier.
It keeps your hands free while keeping your little one snug, comforted, and secure almost like recreating the closeness of the womb.
How to do it safely?
Babywearing works best when comfort meets safety. The good news? You don’t have to memorize a dozen rules—just remember the T.I.C.K.S. checklist every time you put your baby in a carrier:
- Tight – Your carrier should hug your baby snugly against you. A secure hold keeps them supported and prevents slumping.
- In view at all times – You shouldn’t have to peek behind fabric or adjust straps to see your baby’s face. One quick glance down should reassure you.
- Close enough to kiss – Your little one’s head should rest high on your chest so close that you can easily drop a gentle kiss on their forehead.
- Keep chin off chest – Always leave space under the chin. A tucked-in chin can make breathing harder, so aim for a clear, upright airway.
- Supported back & hips – Your baby’s spine should be naturally curved and supported, with their knees slightly higher than their bottom (the “M” position).
More tips for parents:
- Keep baby’s nose and mouth uncovered at all times.
- Check your carrier’s age and weight guidelines before use.
- Look for carriers that meet ASTM F2907 (the current U.S. safety standard).
Now that you know how to wear your baby safely, let’s explore why parents around the world swear by it. Some of these perks might surprise you.
10 unexpected benefits of babywearing
1. Less crying, more smiles
A classic study published in Pediatrics found that babies carried for at least three hours a day cried 43% less overall and up to half as much in the evenings. Fewer tears for your baby means more peace for you, too.
“ Babywearing provides rhythmic movement, warmth, and the familiar sound of a parent’s heartbeat and voice, cues that mimic the environment they experienced in utero. This sensory input helps regulate a baby’s nervous system, especially in the newborn months when the nervous system is still immature, reducing cortisol (stress hormone) and promoting a state of calm alertness.”
2. Bonding through touch
Research shows that close physical contact releases oxytocin, the “love hormone” in both parent and child. This not only strengthens bonding but also supports breastfeeding parents by improving milk supply. Babywearing literally builds love chemistry.
3. Better sleep, naturally
Babies who experience skin-to-skin or close contact fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Your heartbeat, warmth, and gentle rocking are nature’s original lullabies.
4. A front-row seat to language
A research discovered that babies who hear more real conversations tend to pick up language faster. When you wear your baby upright, they’re right there listening to your everyday talk thus getting an early start in the world of words.
5. Soothing for tummies
The upright position in most carriers may ease reflux and colic. A clinical review confirms that gravity helps reduce reflux symptoms when infants are held upright. Babywearing becomes gentle tummy therapy.
6. Confidence for parents
Parents who practice daily babywearing often share that it makes them feel more confident in caring for their infants and more deeply connected overall. Babywearing doesn’t just nurture babies, it empowers parents, too.
7. Exploring the world together
Babywearing isn’t just about keeping your little one close as it also gives them a view to life as you see it. From the simple act of watching you shop for groceries to noticing colors, people, and movement around you, your baby is constantly learning. Moreover, being at your eye level helps them feel secure.
8. Gentle movement for the mother
Babywearing can act like a built-in workout for new parents. A biomechanical study found that walking, while wearing a baby, subtly shifts posture and increases joint activity. This is used by physical therapists in postpartum recovery to build strength and stabilize posture.
9. Time for older siblings too
With your baby snug in a carrier, your hands are free to give attention to older children whether it’s playing, reading, or simply being present. Meanwhile, your baby watches these moments unfold, naturally building a gentle rapport with their siblings.
10. Healing touch for preemies
“Kangaroo care”, the close skin-to-skin contact used for preterm babies has been shown to improve survival, stabilize breathing, and support weight gain. Your body becomes the safest, most loving incubator.
“ The physical contact increases oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), which supports emotional regulation for both baby and parent. Parents often find babywearing boosts their confidence and lets them comfort their baby while completing daily tasks. This can help reduce stress and may lower risk for postpartum depression or anxiety.”
Babywearing and parent mental health
Taking care of a newborn is one of the most rewarding experiences in life, but it can also feel all-consuming and overwhelming. This is where babywearing offers more than convenience, it supports parents’ emotional well-being too.
Dr. Leslie M. Treece, a Board-Certified Pediatrician, explains that “It assists with mental health by contributing to productivity, and removes some of the guilt.”
Babywearing also ties into the profound psychological transition known as matrescence, the stage when mothers adapt to their new role. Bahar Rinsler, Maternal Mental Health Expert, explains: “Mothers who wear their babies may feel less anxiety. When mothers are ‘born,’ they enter a psychological stage called matrescence, where their brains become more attuned to their infants’ needs. If a mother is physically close to her infant, her parasympathetic nervous system is activated. Her body sends the message to her brain that the baby is safe and everything is okay.”
In other words, babywearing doesn’t just nurture babies, it nurtures parents too, offering comfort, confidence, and a gentle reminder that they’re doing enough.
Conclusion
Babywearing isn’t just about convenience, it’s about connection. Every moment your baby is pressed against your chest, your body whispers: You are safe, you are loved, I am here.
Science shows the measurable benefits – less crying, better sleep, stronger bonds but the true magic is something you feel.
So as you tie that wrap or clip on your carrier, remember you’re not just carrying your baby. You’re carrying love, trust, and the beginning of a lifelong bond. These early days won’t last forever, but the closeness you create through babywearing will.
Sources:
- T.I.C.K.S Checklist. National Childbirth Trust. Last Reviewed 2025. Baby slings and carriers: a guide
- Current Safety Standard. US Consumer Product Safety Commission. Sling carriers business guidance
- Less crying, more smiles. NCBI. 1986. Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial
- Bonding through touch. NCBI. 2020. Mother-Infant Skin-to-Skin Contact
- Front row seat to knowledge. NCBI. 2017. Talking to children matters
- Soothing for tummies. NCBI. 2011. The Efficacy of the Upright Position on Gastro-Esophageal Reflux and Reflux-Related Respiratory Symptoms in Infants With Chronic Respiratory Symptoms
- Gentle movement for the mother. NCBI. 2023. The Combined Influence of Infant Carrying Method and Motherhood on Gait Mechanics
- Healing touch for preemies. NCBI. 2016. Kangaroo mother care to reduce morbidity and mortality in low birthweight infants
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