Surprising Benefits of Slings and Baby Carriers!

Crying is not a baby's first attempt to communicate. Your child will first try to tell you what they want through a series of non-verbal cues. But these signals are not always easy to interpret.

Wearing your newborn in a sling or carrier can greatly improve your communication with her. With baby close you can more easily hear her stomach growl, feel her pass a bowel movement, or feel her body relax as she gets sleepy. This minimizes guesswork, giving you time to comfort, feed, or change your baby before she resorts to crying.

A 1986 study published in Pediatrics confirms that newborns carried in slings or body carriers cry less often and with less severity than those who are not. "Supplemental carrying modifies 'normal' crying by reducing the duration and altering the typical pattern of crying and fussing in the first three months of life," the study states. "The relative lack of carrying in our society may predispose to crying and colic in normal infants." Less crying means less stress for the entire family. Parents feel more confident when they are successful at interpreting and satisfying their baby's needs.