"When you wear your baby, you’re not just carrying them — you’re shaping their brain, calming their heart, and deepening your bond."

There’s something ancient and instinctive about carrying your baby close.
From kangaroo care in hospitals to the slings used by parents around the world, babywearing is more than just practical — it’s deeply relational. At Built For Connection, we believe in tools that support attuned, connected parenting without sacrificing your well-being. Babywearing does just that.

The Benefits of Babywearing

For Baby:

  • 🧠 Supports Healthy Brain Development: Babies who are worn often are exposed to more sights, sounds, and interactions, which can boost cognitive and social development.

  • ❤️ Regulates Emotions & Physiology: The close contact helps stabilize baby’s heart rate, temperature, and stress levels. It’s calming, secure, and soothing — especially in the early months.

  • 💤 Better Sleep: Many babies nap more soundly and for longer when being worn, thanks to the motion and closeness to their caregiver.

  • 👀 Builds Attachment & Trust: Being at your level, seeing your face, hearing your voice — these everyday experiences strengthen secure attachment.

For Mama (or any caregiver):

  • 💪 Hands-Free Convenience: Get things done while keeping your baby close — whether it’s making lunch, taking a walk, or playing with an older sibling.

  • 🧘‍♀️ Eases Postpartum Adjustment: Babywearing can reduce crying and fussiness, helping you feel more confident and less overwhelmed.

  • 🌸 Supports Breastfeeding: Many carriers allow for discreet, on-the-go nursing and help you recognize feeding cues more quickly.

  • 💞 Deepens Bonding: Skin-to-skin and close contact release oxytocin (the love hormone), helping strengthen your bond — especially important if you're navigating postpartum anxiety or depression.

Practical Tips for Babywearing Success

  1. Start Small: Begin with short sessions around the house to help both you and baby get used to the carrier.

  2. Check Baby’s Position: Baby should be upright, facing inward (especially in early months), with their knees higher than their bum in an “M” shape.

  3. Follow the “Visible & Kissable” Rule: You should always be able to see baby’s face and kiss the top of their head.

  4. Dress Lightly: Babywearing adds warmth — dress both of you accordingly to prevent overheating.

  5. Practice Makes Progress: It might feel awkward at first — give yourself grace and practice when baby is calm and fed.

  6. Move Gently: Babies love rhythm. Walk, bounce, or sway — movement can calm a fussy little one almost instantly.

Choosing the Right Baby Carrier

There’s no one-size-fits-all solution — your perfect carrier depends on your lifestyle, baby’s age, and your body. Here’s what to consider:

1. Comfort

  • Padded shoulder straps and a supportive waistband can make a big difference for longer wear times.

  • Adjustable options are ideal for sharing with a partner.

2. Ergonomic Design

  • Look for carriers that support baby’s hips in the “M” position.

  • Avoid carriers that let baby dangle by the crotch — these can strain both baby’s spine and hips.

3. Ease of Use

  • Wraps and slings are cozy but may have a learning curve.

  • Structured carriers (like soft-structured carriers or buckle carriers) are often quicker to put on and adjust.

4. Age-Appropriate Fit

  • Newborns need extra neck and head support — check if the carrier includes a newborn insert or is designed for small babies.

  • As your baby grows, look for carriers with adjustable panels to grow with them.

5. Your Lifestyle

  • Do you want something quick for errands? Lightweight for travel? Cozy for long walks? Choose based on how you’ll use it most.

Babywearing is about more than convenience — it’s a beautiful way to meet your baby’s need for connection while honoring your own need to move, do, and be. Whether you're wearing your newborn through the fourth trimester or carrying a sleepy toddler through a forest trail, you’re nurturing emotional resilience, trust, and attachment — all with a carrier and a little closeness.

You’re not spoiling them. You’re supporting them. And yourself.
That’s what intentional parenting is all about.

Not Convinced?

Check out the research for yourself

1. Touch and Infant Development – Field, 2010 (PubMed)
Research shows how physical touch, including babywearing, supports emotional regulation, sleep, and bonding.

2. Babywearing Reduces Infant Crying – Hunziker & Barr, 1986 (PubMed)
A landmark study showing that babies carried more cried up to 43% less overall.

3. Babywearing Promotes Secure Attachment – Anisfeld et al., 1990 (JSTOR)
Wearing your baby increases the likelihood of secure attachment at 12–13 months.

4. Kangaroo Care & Long-Term Benefits – Charpak et al., 2005 (AAP Pediatrics)
Skin-to-skin contact and babywearing principles improve cognitive and emotional development, even years later.

5. Skin-to-Skin & Postpartum Mental Health – Bigelow & Power, 2020 (Infant Mental Health Journal)
Close contact like babywearing is linked to reduced postpartum depression and improved maternal confidence.