People wearing their babies is not a new fad, it has been around for as long as there has been fabric to carry them around in. Possibly even before that using animal skins.

In America it began to be unpopular to bring your children out with you, so only the poor wore their babies. But other countries, such as Africa, have always worn their babies and continue to do so. A missionary family I know said that they were amazed by the lack of crying they heard from babies while in Africa. Then they noticed that the babies were all strapped safely on mom and could see the world and seemed very content.

Babywearing became popular again in America with the term Attachment Parenting coined by Dr. Sears. Stores are cropping up all over the internet offering slings, wraps, pouches and Mei Tei's to wear your baby in. There are so many ways to wear your baby, and the message has been heard by parents, even those outside of the Attachment Parenting circle.

But why would you want to wear your baby? What benefit does it have? Doesn't it spoil your baby?

Research has shown that your infant cannot be spoiled, they need you if they are crying. So why wear them?

Some of the purported benefits include: better bonding, increased progesterone in the mother, a happier baby, better digestion in infants, less colic, increased neural development, establish inner ear development and muscle tone.

When a baby is being carried by the mother his needs are being met. They need to be with mom for safety, comfort, feeding and socialization. Babies tend to do eat more because of easy access to nursing, and that makes for healthier babies.

Babies learn more when they are carried. Since baby isn't crying and fussing, baby has time to do more observing and learning. What is baby learning? Baby learns to be organized, as in organizing her world. After being in the womb and moving during the day and hearing the commotions of the world and then stillness and quiet at night, baby needs to learn where things fit in the out of womb world. Being carried simulates that rythmic womb feeling and then the quiet stillness of night. As opposed to a baby having to figure things out while lying still and alone at other times of the day.

Environmental experiences help your child grow it's nervous system, helping nerves connect to each other and develop the brain. Because the baby who is worn is exposed to things in a different way and is protected from things that over stimulate, these connections are made more easily. Baby will also try to be part of the world, talking with the adults, and learning what it means to be human.

When baby is worn, he is able to watch his mother or fathers face and accurately feel what they are feeling, and that helps them understand the world. That doesn't bother mom, so that loud noise isn't a concern to me. Oh, that noise makes mom tense, I don't like that. This helps baby maintain a sense of calm and security.

Babies who are worn have less anxiety issues, including separation anxiety. If you must be away from baby, the caregiver can continue carrying baby in his familiar sling or wrap, which becomes like a second "home" to baby.

On the parent's side, the benefits are numerous also. Less crying from baby means less anxiety from mom.

It is convenient to wear your baby. You can do what you need to do without thought to where to put baby, or where the baby is. There are few interuptions from a crying baby as you work or walk or shop.

Wraps and slings are less expensive than most strollers. Places like Sleepy Wrap offer babywearing items for less than $35, instead of a $120+ stroller. The wrap or sling can be worn and used daily, inside and outside, no matter the weather, a stroller is used much less and does not offer the benefits of a quieter baby.

Nursing your baby is so easy, especially in public. You don't need to stop what you are doing and find a place to sit, or try to push the stroller with one hand and baby in the other nursing and stay covered.

The benefits do not stop there. Wearing your premature baby, or your disabled baby is highly recommended. It has even been known to benefit failure to thrive babies.

Look into wearing your baby, you won't be dissapointed with the results.