Wearing your baby

Fact: Lia dislikes a lot of things. She doesn’t like strollers. She doesn’t like to be left by herself even when either parent is nearby. She doesn’t like to be put down for more than 10 minutes, unless she’s in the mood. She ‘s what you’d call a high-maintenance baby. And at 5.3kg, you could imagine how cumbersome it is to lug around all that weight whenever and wherever.

Which is why babywearing is such a godsend.

Babywearing with a ring sling (at 1 month) and baby carrier (3 months)

One of the basic tenets of attachment parenting, babywearing involves carrying your baby through body attachment devices such as slings and baby carriers.

Attachment parenting advocates believe that babywearing, above all, strengthens the emotional bond between babies and their parents and makes the child feel secure, so there are lesser crying spells. Studies also show that because slings are made from soft fabrics that conform to the baby’s natural shape, they develop stronger spines. The baby’s weight is evenly distributed throughout the sling, so there’s no risk that his back would break.

Slings and carriers allow parents to safely “wear” their babies hands-free

so they can do chores or work alongside

Now I am no attachment parenting guru. In fact, the only reason why I bought a Next9 ring sling is because Lia needs to be carried around the entire day, or else she’d bawl tremendously she’d be unable to breathe. I need my hands to be free for chores and my content and copy writing duties.

Thanks to Kokopax and other carriers like the Next9 ring sling, my job was made much, much easier.

Using the Next9 sling’s tail as cover, I was also able to breastfeed discreetly in the car when I’ve no stored milk available in the fridge (was, because now I use a nursing cover). She sleeps quickly in it, too.

Slings: Instant sleep inducer

When Lia got bigger though, there are times she’d fuss when cradled in a sling. It makes her feel restricted, I guess. So I had to resort to a Combi baby carrier bought from a Japan surplus store. In it, she can move her hands and legs while also allowing her to do some sight-seeing during trips to the wet market and late afternoon walks. I always find her snoozing at the end of walks. We alternate the sling and the carrier, whichever Lia prefers at the moment (I find that she likes the sling in the mall, and the carrier for al-fresco subdivision walks. Arte, no?)

Asleep after a walk!

What I like best about babywearing devices is that they’re incredibly lightweight and easy to transport. A ring sling easily fits into a bag, even small-sized ones.

I receive mixed reactions whenever I am babywearing. Some are amazed and find it cute, some -most especially with the sling – express “safety” concerns, saying I’m careless or that I’m treating my daughter like a snail (Trust me. She has too much energy for a snail.)

Oh, if only these on-lookers knew that ring slings are designed to hold up to 35 pounds of weight. And that this is not simply a style statement. Indigenous tribes across the globe, including those in the northern and southern Philippines have used slings to constantly carry their little tots since time immemorial. Check out these beautiful photos of babywearing natives from down south by Paco Guerrero.

Remember though that even babies have varying personalities. Other babies could be left in a stroller just fine, while others may not be as receptive. Listen to your baby’s cues. Only she can lead you to what’s best for her. A baby whose needs are met is a happy baby, worn or not.