The Unparalleled Benefits of Wearing Your Baby

It is not just a transport system; it is an external womb. How babywearing regulates physiology and builds the brain.

Babywearing is often marketed as a convenience—a way to keep your hands free while carrying your infant. This framing misses the fundamental point: babywearing is not a modern innovation but a biological continuation of the gestational period.

Dr. Nils Bergman's research on Kangaroo Mother Care ^[bergman] demonstrates that skin-to-skin contact and proximity regulate an infant's physiology in measurable ways. Heart rate stabilizes, breathing patterns become more regular, and temperature regulation improves when the infant is in contact with the parent's body. Babywearing extends this regulation beyond the immediate postpartum period.

The vestibular system—the sensory system responsible for balance and spatial orientation—develops through movement. When a parent walks, sways, or moves while wearing their infant, they provide constant vestibular input that supports neurological development. This movement mimics the motion the infant experienced in utero, creating a bridge between the internal and external environments.

Dr. Greer Kirshenbaum's work on neurodevelopment ^{[kirshenbaum]} emphasizes that the "fourth trimester" is not a metaphor but a biological reality. Human infants are born neurologically incomplete, expecting continued external support for development. Babywearing provides this support while allowing parents to maintain daily activities.

Safety is paramount. The T.I.C.K.S. guidelines (Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off chest, Supported back) ensure proper positioning. A well-fitted carrier supports the infant's natural "M" position, with knees higher than hips, protecting hip development.

This is not about convenience. It is about providing the physiological environment our species evolved to expect.