The benefits of ergonomic carrying

Babywearing is a transport system for the baby that ensures constant physical and emotional contact at all times and a correct posture for both the baby and the adult carrying the baby, respecting each stage of the child’s anatomical, physiological, biomechanical and psychomotor development. For this purpose, the baby carrier used must be ergonomic and meet the basic requirements for safe carrying. Babywearing provides babies with a long list of benefits, mostly mediated by the presence of oxytocin, a key player in affectionate contact and bonding.

• Sense of security: when a baby is born, it identifies its habitat of comfort in contact with its mother or father, and this sense of security is maintained in babies who are carried.
• Promotes breastfeeding: the contact of the mother with her baby sets in motion a cascade of hormones related to breastfeeding, such as oxytocin and prolactin, in addition to facilitating suckling on demand.
• Feeling of tranquility, improved sleep quality, reduced crying: the security provided by the contact helps the baby to relax, to fall asleep more easily and to sleep for longer periods of time. Feeling that the baby is calm and relaxed gives parents a greater sense of parental competence and boosts their self-esteem.
• Promotes secure attachment: Touching our baby, caressing him, giving him hugs, help his emotional, intellectual and social development and will help him grow as a secure and independent person.
• Optimal development of the nervous system: the baby who is carried and spends long periods in quiet alertness receives early stimulation appropriate to the interest shown according to his level of development. In addition, rocking stimulates their vestibular system responsible for balance.
• Improves infant colic: the upright and ventral position benefits the baby’s digestive system by helping it to expel gas.
• Decreases the prevalence of postpartum depression: the mother’s body is physiologically prepared to be in contact with her baby, this releases hormones related to well-being and emotional tranquility such as oxytocin and endorphins. In addition, ergonomic carrying prevents postural plagiocephaly, the optimal development of the back and hips, avoiding forced postures and tensions in the baby’s body.

Ergonomic carrying has been proven to be safe if done properly and has many benefits for both the baby and the carrier. There are different types of systems adapted to each stage of baby’s development, it is important to seek advice from a qualified person and ensure that the basic requirements are met so that babywearing becomes an enriching experience.