A cloth baby carrier might be one of the most appreciated gifts for a new family. Cotton carriers, including slings, wraps, and some front-pack carriers, allow for great comfort for both babies and parents.
If you are interested in natural baby products, babywearing, attachment parenting, or any of the other ways of nurturing your baby that you might have heard about, a soft, stretchy-material cotton carrier is likely to be on your short list of necessities. These carriers can have a little bit of a learning curve after you find the one that’s most comfortable for you, but the return on your investment of time will be a happier, calmer, and perhaps even smarter baby.
Babywearing and Baby Development
Research and parents’ experience has shown that the time a newborn spends in close contact with one or both of their parents is critical to a calm, happy baby whose brain and social skills develop rapidly. The warmth and comfort of a parent’s body and heartbeat allows the baby to relax and rest completely, saving their energy for growing during this amazing period. The activities a parent naturally includes when carrying a baby, such as walking outdoors and conversing with other people, stimulates and socially engages the baby in the world.
Babies also breastfeed more easily when they are within easy reach of mom. Mom’s milk supply will be better and she will be more easily able to respond to the earliest hunger cues before the baby wastes any energy frantically demanding a feed.
Baby Wraps
Stretchy cotton wraps like the Moby Wrap are wonderful for parents interested in this kind of nurturing relationship. The fabric is breathable, comfortable, and adapts to parents of nearly any size or shape. They can be used with the tiniest preemies all the way up to the largest toddler a parent is strong enough to carry. The wrapping and tying of a wrap can take a little bit of effort to learn, but clear, photo-illustrated instructions are included with each wrap, and videos and other resources are available to help you online. Your midwife or nurse might also be able to help you learn how to tie a wrap and how to situate the baby most comfortably in the fabric.
Baby Slings
Slings are easier for some parents to use and they come in an incredible array of fabrics, sizes, and types. Slings are easier to share with people who are new to babywearing because they are more obvious to use (especially if they are a structured pouch), and they are also fantastic for nursing moms on the go.
When you wear your baby in a sling or wrap, you are joining with mothers and fathers all over the world in one of the most ancient ways of caring for tiny babies and small children. It is very practical to be able to walk, do chores and go shopping with baby right next to you, safe and calm. They are also learning about the world around them from your vantage point the entire time.
