The Benefits Of: All you need to know about Babywearing and Swaddling your baby is here!

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Babywearing is the act of wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or other form of carrier. Baby carriers have been around for thousands of years. Before the twentieth century, baby wearing wasn't seen as a fad; it was simply a means for mothers to get things done. Mothers since the beginning of history have used fabrics ranging from long cloths, shawls, scarves, and even bedsheets to attach their baby to their body in order to multi-task.

Nowadays we think of babywearing as something that occurs more often in developing countries or cultures. We might imagine a tribe where babywearing is a fully accepted part of community life. There are many different forms of baby carriers used by different countries, dependent on the climate, role of women, and traditions regarding clothing.

For example, in Mexico mothers use what's known as the Rebozo, a square of women cloth tied over one shoulder. Depending on the length of the fabric it is sometimes called a Chal. The babies are most often carried on the mother's back.

Then, in Peru, the carrier of choice is known as a Manta. It's more cape-like than the Rebozo and sits over both shoulders, with the baby sitting high on the mother's back.

European mothers use a mixture of pouches, wraps, and short cloth carriers, while Aboriginal mothers historically used carriers made of bark. This choice of carrier is similar to the Native American cradleboard, only without the cloth covering.

There are a variety of methods used by women all over the world to carry their baby. As you can see, babywearing is not a new trend. It's a form of childcare that has a rich history across many different cultures.

Babywearing is becoming popular

Only recently is babywearing becoming popular in Western culture again. This is because for a long time, babywearing began to be associated with poverty. Using fabric to carry a baby was what poor people did, while prosperous people began to latch onto the trend of baby strollers. Interestingly, this was also the case with the consumption of bread. For a long time brown bread was associated with poverty because it was cheaper due to the fact that it didn't undergo the same processing as white bread. It's funny how things that are seen as the poor person's choice then undergo a complete revival in the culture of the rich!

Babywearing also started to disappear from the public eye in the mid-twentieth century because parenting trends were moving towards teaching a child independence. It was thought that constantly carrying the baby would cause him or her to develop into a needy and spoilt child.

Luckily, the tables have once again turned when it comes to babywearing. Later research refuted the spoilt child theory and actually brought about a wave of theories arguing that lack of love and touch actually severely diminishes the development of a baby. As a result, baby carriers began to regain their popularity.

Culture isn't a reliable marker for deciding what's good and bad because it's so fickle. Instead, it's more sensible to decide for yourself whether babywearing is the right choice for you and your baby. There are many benefits to it. Below are some for you to consider:

It's Perfectly Safe

Once you learn how to use a baby carrier, you never need to worry about your baby falling out of the carrier or it becoming loose. Carriers these days are specifically designed with the best materials in order to ensure the safety of your baby. They provide adequate support for your infant's developing neck and back. Things have moved on quite substantially from the more traditional method of using a bed-sheet!

It's Perfectly Easy

New mothers can be very anxious about anything and everything to do with their baby. Fear not: baby carriers are made for simplicity and efficiency. After the first cautious try, you'll find yourself getting confident very early on because our babywearing products are very easy to use.

It's Perfectly Natural

Think about all of the things we are led to believe we need to buy or think about when preparing for a baby. Babywearing allows you to get back to the things that really matter: helping a child grow and develop in the real world. We are often deceived into thinking that having a baby involves a cacophony of specialized equipment. If you breastfeed and babywear, a lot of those special items are simply not necessary. Keeping things simple will give you more time for the things that really matter.

It Lasts Forever

Literally. All of our baby carriers come with a lifetime guarantee. Planning to have more kids in the future? You can even keep your carrier for your next baby and use it all over again!

It's Practical

When people think of a baby carrier, they often don't use their imagination. Luckily, we've used ours. Our carriers aren't just white or cream. They come in many different colors and patterns. If you're a fashion-conscious mother, you'll have no trouble finding a carrier to match your outfit. You could even get one for any day of the week! Like a little black dress, we have our classic tones like baby wrap carrier in gray and black, but if you're feeling more adventurous, why not opt for a baby wrap in daring red? It saves you Money

As if there aren't enough benefits, right? Baby carriers are much, much cheaper than strollers. A new stroller costs hundreds of dollars while a carrier costs less than fifty!

Less Fussy Baby

Did you know that carried babies cry less? It's true! Babies who are worn by their mothers forget to fuss. There have been studies to confirm this. In 1986, babies who were carried cried and fussed 43% less than the non-carried babies.

A More Alert Baby

Being worn is a fun and exciting experience for a baby. While they're busy forgetting to fuss and cry, what are they doing instead? They're learning of course. A worn baby is more aware of its surroundings. The height a baby is at when carried allows them to see and experience the world much more vividly. Do you remember when you were a kid and you loved nothing more than being put on your daddy's shoulders? Being carried is just as enthralling for a baby. Not only this, but they have a wider view of the world around them when they're carried. Think of it this way: a baby in a stroller gets a two-dimensional view of the world, while a carried baby gets a three-dimensional one.

A Better-Developed Baby

When a baby comes out of the womb, it is something of a jolt for them. For nine months, they have been cozy and warm inside the womb, only to be brought out into bright lights and hospital smells. The birth process actually disrupts the organizing process of the baby's systems. Because a carried baby is wrapped up nice and snug, close to the mother, babywearing extends the experience of the womb. This helps the baby adjust to their new life much more smoothly as the carrier acts as an external regulating system that balances out the jolt caused by birth. Hearing the mother's heartbeat, for example, reminds the carried baby of the womb. It's a wonderfully calming and familiar sound for the baby. The comforting biological rhythms, sounds, and smells of the mother allow the baby to balance out, ensuring their development will occur at a harmonious pace.

A Smarter Baby

We've all heard the tale of mothers playing Beethoven to their unborn child, hoping for a genius. Well, did you know that carried babies actually become smarter? Roll over, Beethoven! The carried baby has increased environmental experiences, allowing nerves to branch out and stimulate their growing brain. Babywearing actually helps the infant's developing brain to form the right connections. The greater intimacy between mother and baby a carrier allows encourages the baby to have a more direct experience of the mother's world. A carried baby's brain stores more experiences because their vision of the world is much more all-encompassing than a baby transported in a stroller. Babywearing doesn't only help to boost brain development; it also helps to boost speech development. Logically, a carried baby is closer to the conversations of his or her parents, so the sounds heard are louder, allowing the baby to process them more quickly. Being at eye level helps the baby to learn how to listen to speech patterns. Even sounds can help the baby learn faster. A non-carried baby would likely give way to their moro reflex when they hear a startling sound, but everything for a carried baby is a potential learning experience.

Anthropologists Agree

Anthropology is the study of human behavior across different cultures. Anthropologists who study infant-care practices agree that in babywearing cultures infants cry much less. We often measure a baby's crying in hours, but in places where babywearing is a common practice, it's measured in minutes. We've almost become used to the idea that babies cry a lot. This just isn't true, and babywearing will mean that you'll be counting in minutes too!

This list of benefits isn't even completely exhaustive. There are so many benefits that babywearing offers it's almost impossible to name them all! Now that you've read about some of them, why not browse through our collection of baby-wearing products. Trust me: you won't regret it!

References:

Benefits of Babywearing

Benefits of Babywearing for your Baby

The Benefits of Babywearing

The History of Babywearing and 'Modern' Slings

What is Swaddling?

Simply put, swaddling is wrapping your baby in a piece of fabric. There are two main forms of swaddling. First, any time you wrap your baby up nice and snug is technically swaddling. Most mothers are familiar with this. Babies are swaddled when you first hold them in the hospital, for example. Imagine a much cuter version of a mummy being wrapped in bandages, and you've got the idea.

Babywearing with a baby wrap is also a form of swaddling. When you wrap your baby around yourself using baby wraps, it has many of the same effects of swaddling in a swaddle. Babywearing is an alternative method of transporting your baby. The comfort the baby feels when swaddled is thought to resemble the safety of the womb. It's a soothing technique that promotes the comfort, security, and health of your baby.

The History of Swaddling

Swaddling goes back as far as Biblical times. When Moses was sent down the river in a basket, he was swaddled. When Jesus was born, his mother Mary wrapped him in swaddling clothes. Now, you might not believe in the Bible, but it's significant that the world's oldest book mentions swaddling, right?

Scientifically speaking, archaeological records suggest swaddling dates back to 400 BC when many people were migrating and swaddling was the most convenient way of carrying a baby around. They didn't have fancy strollers back then!

Throughout history, swaddling has had both positive and negative press. During Tudor times, for example, it was thought that swaddling helped to prevent deformities arising in the baby's development. Conversely, later in the 17th century, it became associated with neglect. Swaddling during this time was often perceived as an excuse to leave the baby alone for hours on end.

In the late 18th century things bounced around again. Swaddling was seen as a practical choice in cold countries, but thought to increase infection or disease in warmer ones. There were some highly controversial parenting methods going on, due to the fact that people didn't have the same scientific knowledge we possess today. For example, swaddling lost popularity in England and France in favor of...wait for it...alcohol and opiates! Can you believe it? If someone did that now they'd be jailed for abuse. Back then both drugs were seen as appropriate sedatives for infants. Thank God for progress and scientific discovery, eh?

Jump to the twentieth century: swaddling became popular again during the eighties and nineties. During this time there were a lot of cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and studies showed that swaddling helped prevent it. Anxious parents rushed to get on board in a bid to protect their child. SIDS is a frightening prospect for parents because experts still don't know what causes it. It is classified as the third leading cause of infant mortality in America, so it's no surprise that swaddling is back with a vengeance.

Why Swaddle?

There are many reasons to choose swaddling. Swaddling makes work easier for you. When you're going somewhere and you put your baby in the stroller, both of your hands are occupied. Mothers are incredibly busy people, and little things that save time can make all the difference. Choosing to swaddle through babywearing saves you those precious few moments when you're getting ready. We all know how awkward it can be rushing around dismantling the stroller or push-pram, right? Sometimes those things have the most stubborn mechanical parts! It's much easier to just wrap-and-go

It isn't just us ordinary folk who choose between swaddles and strollers. Celebrity mothers also have to make the decision about how to make their days more efficient. There are some intelligent celebrity women out there!

Celebrities who have been seen using swaddles include Heidi Klum, Sandra Bullock, and Julia Roberts.

Mother of four and Australian native Raegan Moya-Jones is the smart lady responsible for introducing swaddles to the celebrity world. She noticed that muslin cotton, a common swaddling fabric in her home country, wasn't readily available in America. As a result, she worked to produce muslin cotton swaddles, and the idea took off. Her company aden + anais now boasts annual revenues of sixty-five million. What a fantastic example Jones is to women around the globe, considering the fact that only 2% of every woman-owned business ever breaks one million in revenue. Her boss at her previous job told her she didn't have an entrepreneurial bone in her body. She sure proved her detractor wrong! Glass ceiling, ladies?

We also use muslin cotton in our swaddles. There is a hefty price tag that comes with an aden + anais swaddle. Ours is the same quality at only a fraction of the price.

The Benefits of Swaddling

I've already mentioned how swaddling is a great time-saver, but there are lots of benefits to swaddling. Reasons for swaddling differ across nations and cultures. In Russia, it is thought to prevent self-injury. Polish parents who swaddle believe it to help physically strengthen the infant. The warmth and comfort a swaddle provides is another compelling reason to do it.

Cultural perspectives are valuable, but there are also medical benefits to swaddling.

Babies have what is known as a 'moro' or 'startle' reflex. It's nature's way of protecting the baby from harm. This occurs in two phases:

The baby experiences a sensation of free-falling.
The baby curls their arms and legs closer to their body in a move that resembles the well-known fetal position.
The moro reflex is a perfectly normal behavior. There is nothing to be concerned about when your baby does it. It's actually abnormal if they don't. However, when the moro reflex is triggered, the baby becomes upset. Triggers include a loud noise, a drastic change in lighting, or a sudden touch. Think about what startles you — it's similar for your baby.

Anyway, swaddling your baby provides the correct stimulus to help them recover from their fright. It does exactly what their reflex guides their brain to do: moves their arms and legs closer to their body in a defensive position. Moreover, swaddling actually works in a cycle: not only does it provide the comforting position the reflex requires, the womb-like environment actually prevents the baby from becoming startled so easily. The consequential benefits of this are numerous: a generally calmer baby, a baby who sleeps more soundly, and a baby who gets roughly 50% more REM sleep.

As well as soothing the baby's startle reflex, swaddling can help develop an infant's tactile system. This promotes their emotional security in later life as they become comfortable being touched at an early age. Emotional security is key to healthy development, so swaddling ensures your baby has the optimal conditions for growing up healthily.

A swaddled baby experiences less anxiety, which transfers to you the parent. It decreases the amount of times a baby wakes up unnecessarily due to the startle reflex, allowing you to establish a better sleep routine for both you and your child.

Swaddling will also save you money in two specific ways: first, baby wraps and swaddles are much cheaper than strollers. Our swaddling products don't break the bank! New strollers cost hundreds. Think of the money you'll save. As well as this, swaddling eliminates the need for comfort items in the baby's crib. Now, all parents want to spoil their child (understandably), but if you're on a budget you have less soft toys to worry about.

Babies are prone to infection and disease as their systems are not completely developed. Swaddling even helps with this aspect of parenting. It is known to soothe babies with colic, for example.

With all of these benefits, it's no surprise that swaddling is an age-old practice that spans generations and cultures.

How to Swaddle

In order to ensure your baby is safe and secure, take a look at our safety commandments for swaddling.

We also have an easy How-To video that can get you swaddling in no time!

Our Products

Cuddlebug boasts a wide variety of products to help you ease into the process of swaddling. We offer a selection of wraps, swaddles, and nursing covers. We're also currently working on the development of new lines. Follow us on Facebook or Twitter so you can be first in line when our new products are released. Watch this space!

For now though, have a browse through our collection.

Why not just use a piece of torn-off bed-sheet? Well, for one, you'll look really silly going out in public comfortably holding a bed-sheet. I don't know about you, but I want to look good while swaddling. That's just aesthetics of course. The more important reason is that we're experts in this area and we know how to make the very best swaddle for your baby.

Our premium baby wraps, for example, are made of a cotton spandex blend that is both soft and stretchy. The soft texture makes it super comfortable for both you and the baby. The stretch factor allows the fabric to adapt to the size of your body and baby. Bed-sheets don't work well for big-chested women or pudgy babies!

All of our products are made using materials that have moisture resistant characteristics, which means that you'll both stay dry even if you have to make an urgent trip out in the rain. Each product has a lifetime guarantee because of the quality and durability of our materials. It won't be coming loose at the seams in a couple of weeks, so you have the peace of mind that comes from knowing your baby is safely and securely wrapped.

What are you waiting for?