Let’s talk Baby-wearing
They say “It takes a village to raise a child”- the village helps share the parents’ load (both physical and emotional) as well as empowers them to pursue their other interests. In today’s world of nuclear families and dual career couples, the village has taken a backseat; and new parents have a steep learning curve as they negotiate their careers and family needs. One of the empowering ways, new parents find this balance is a technique known as “Babywearing”.
During this International Babywearing week, we spoke to Prachi Pendurkar, a babywearing educator based out of Bangalore to understand this practise better. Prachi is also a Chartered Accountant, mum to twins and runs a babywearing library called “Snugbub”
- We are celebrating the International babywearing week this month. Can you tell us what babywearing is, and is it like a new fad for today’s parents?
Prachi: To describe in very simple words, babywearing is using a medium to hold the baby in your arms while being hands-free! It is an ancient baby care tool that has been prevalent in different cultures, tribes and geographical locations. The easiest example every Indian can relate to is ‘Jhansi ki Rani’. We all have seen that picture of Jhansi ki rani riding a horse with a sword in her hand and her baby tied to her back. So it definitely is not a ‘new wave’ or ‘ parenting fad’, rather a revival of ancient practices that has evolved to meet the needs of today’s parents.
The question might arise- why did this practice disappear in many cultures? So if you travel back to the time when babywearing was a norm- mortality rate were high, people were living in small groups with a constant survival struggle - and babywearing made it easier for parents to manage their reality. Over a period of time, families grew bigger with more helping hands for child-care and the practise faded away.
Fast forward to today, we see an increasing number of nuclear set ups with people moving geographically away from families due to education/ work and new parents often find themselves with the need to open up the old books and learn the art of babywearing!
2. Can you tell us what are the benefits of babywearing for both the parent and the baby?
Prachi: There cannot be an exhaustive list of benefits! But let me list out 5 benefits each for parents and baby.
Benefits to the baby:
1. Provides the required sense of security by being closer to the mother in the fourth trimester — the mother’s smell, touch, voice helps calm the baby
2. Being in an upright position helps babies going through colic/ reflux issues aiding digestion and burping
3. Babywearing aids attachment parenting and helps babies pick up communication and social skills faster
4. Babywearing is a great tool to establish routine and regulate infant sleep
5. Helps babies going through the phase of stranger anxiety
Benefits to the parents:
1. Great bonding tool — there are a lot of snuggles and cuddles along the way
2. Helps mothers to nurse while moving/nurse in public discreetly, enabling them to step out of their homes more confidently
3. Extremely useful during travel, outings, shopping trips — a lot of parents babywear during long travels, airport transfers, treks as well which makes them feel more empowered.
4. Makes multitasking possible — babies always want to see and get involved in whatever their parents are doing. Babywearing enables babies to see while their parents do their work.
5. Makes it possible to attend to the needs of multiple dependents especially in cases where siblings/ pets/ elderly care is involved
3. When can parents start babywearing and for how long can this journey continue?
Prachi: Here the principles of breastfeeding and babywearing go hand in hand! One can start babywearing right from Day 1 and continue till both the baby and the parents are comfortable and enjoying it! In my experience, on an average parents babywear till the kid is 2.5 years. However important points to note here are (a)to opt for ERGONOMIC carriers that support the baby in its natural position (b) to seek help from professionals
4. What are the most common myths about babywearing that you come across- and can you help dispel them?
Prachi: Well there are many! Because I as mentioned earlier, this practice hazed out in the last few generations. And that’s why we come across many misconceptions around this topic.
Let me share a few myths and my views around it-
a. Babywearing makes babies clingy
Babies irrespective of whether worn or not, being mammals, love to be held and touched. Babies are heavily dependent on the caregivers till they turn 2. Hence you will observe babies held often are happier and become independent sooner!
b. Babywearing can be painful for the wearer
Yes if you choose a wrong type of carrier (non ergonomic) or if you are not wearing it correctly. But if you are wearing an ergonomic carrier in a correct way, it is very supportive and helps distribute baby’s weight evenly on the wearer’s body (except ring sling which is mainly used for hip carrying the child)
c. Babywearing delays baby’s milestones
Baby’s milestones are determined by factors such as nutrition, sleep and other physical factors. Babywearing is merely carrying the baby in arms using a medium and in no way interferes in baby milestones.
d. Baby chews the carrier and is always hungry
Chewing objects is one thing all babies do, especially once they start teething. It is their way of comforting, soothing themselves and having some fun ;) You could buy drool pads/ babywearing teethers that can be attached on the carriers for the babies to chew on. If the baby is hungry or restless, the baby will cry.
e. Babies need not be held/ worn after they start walking
Babies are babies and their walks are baby walks! So expect a lot of ‘Pick Me’s until they are about 2-2.5 years because expecting a toddler to walk stretches at the pace of an adult and as frequently as adults isn’t reasonable. Parents can help babies transition smoothly by showing the readiness to pick them up with a smile and wear them happily- as these moments are soon about to fly!
5. What advice would you give to parents on how to get started on the babywearing journey?
Prachi: Half baked knowledge is dangerous- and its true! So here’s what a new parent can follow to get the right guidance and get started with babywearing:
a. Find a babywearing educator near you and whom you can trust- preferably during pregnancy
b. Get all the information you need to know about the- types, brands, prices and renting options
c. Try out a few carriers you shortlisted
d. Zero in on the type of carrier first and then the brand
e. Buy/ rent based on your preferences
If meeting an educator is not an option, there are a couple of online groups on Facebook like ‘Babywearing India’, ‘Wrap your baby- babywearing in india’, or plenty of babywearing videos on youtube if you wish to learn yourself!
Snugbub is a baby wearing library started in 2016 that spreads babywearing awareness amongst parents through consultations, workshops, events and a carrier renting library, along with a parenting support community. The community along with subject matter experts provides support on varied parenting topics like lactation, babywearing, cloth diapering, sustainable parenting choices and gentle parenting.
