Babywearing
Promotes strong attachment A study at Columbia University compared the levels of attachment of babies carried in a baby carrier vs. babies carried in a car seat. Results indicated that, at 13 months old, babies who were carried in wearable carriers were significantly more likely to demonstrate a strong and secure attachment to their mothers (Anisfeld, Casper, Nozyce, & Cunningham, 1990). Reduces crying significantly Just three hours a day of babywearing significantly reduces crying (Babywearing, 2010).
Historical Perspective Babywearing has been practiced for centuries. In ancient civilizations, mom needed to have baby close while tending to everyday chores, such as tending crops. Babywearing was born out of necessity for baby's survival and mom's ability to work. Fabric weaving and rough terrain delayed the invention and use of baby carriers with wheels. "With little but herbal remedies and ancient rituals to protect newborns from high infant mortality rates, being next to mom was the best way for a child to survive and thrive" (Krauss).
From the time of the Industrial Revolution in Europe and America through to the 1950s, baby carriers became taboo. Mothers in the lower, laboring class had to take jobs where they weren't able to bring their babies along with them. While mothers in the upper, leisure class avoided anything messy including their own babies. It was the children of the laboring class mothers and the nannies of the leisure class mothers that handled childcare (Krauss).
With the flurry of civil rights and social justice movements, the 1960s saw a baby carrying revival. "The swaths of fabric were still the choice, tied (and tie-dyed) in sling, back, and front positions. Breastfeeding was also back in and completing the pattern, babywearing was part of a more relaxed lifestyle that spread during this and the subsequent decade" (Krauss).
