Parenting philosophies have changed a lot since I was a baby. Children are no longer raised in strollers and playpens. Times have changed for the better since I last heard the adage "children are meant to be seen, not heard!"

Baby carriers are part of this new, healthier way of parenting. Baby carrier and baby slings enable parents to keep their baby close at hand while running about with the usual business of life.

Why Baby Carriers Outperform Strollers

There is good evidence from many studies that babies are happier, healthier and even grow faster when they are carried. We know this intuitively. While strollers have their uses, overall they tend to limit contact between mother and infant precisely when the baby may need more reassurance: when traveling and encountering unknown faces, sounds and smells.

Strollers are also so bulky that getting around town with them can be difficult, even in the more expansive suburbs. Strollers clog aisles and, when abandoned for even a moment, can create the risk of your baby being nabbed. I only recommend strollers for exercise in the parks or jogging trails, not everyday errand running.

Baby carriers and baby slings are actually one of the oldest ideas in parenting. All throughout history (and even prehistory), women carried their babies around in a fabric sling or scarf, even taking their babies into the field with them. I don't think it is any coincidence that babies in traditional societies are known to cry and fuss less, as well as learn to speak earlier than Western babies.

The benefits of baby carriers are really two-fold, for babies and for parents.

• First, mothers and fathers can carry their baby while performing everyday chores and activities.

• You can even manage a shopping cart with a baby carrier. 10 out of 10 parents agree that they enjoy using their limbs.
• At the same time, parents don't have to leave their baby's side in public, ever. This safety feature is essential in cities.

• Babies benefit from baby carriers because they love being held close to their parents' bodies. Besides the increased growth and happiness, carried babies are known to have less colic. That should perk up the ears of any new parent.
• Some studies have also suggested that carried babies learn more quickly too. They are more attentative and inquisitive, as well as tend to spend more time in quiet alertness.
• As I mentioned above, early speech development is also linked to babies who are nurtured and carried several hours a day.

Overall, I think the best reason for choosing baby carriers is that they promote your own bond with the baby, as well as your parenting skills such as reading distress and making minute adjustments to vocal tones and gestures. Baby carriers are also great for helping nervous new fathers bond with their baby.

There are many varieties of carriers out there, and I personally recommend Baby Bjorn baby carriers because they make a baby carrier for every possible need.

A held baby is a happy baby.