Lauren, you asked if babywearing is recommended for babies with colic–Yes. Dr. Sears specifically recommends it the Dr. Sears Baby Book.

If you are interested in trying out a carrier, skip the Nojo that Dr. Sears recommends and try out thebabywearer.com (which was listed by previous posters). Good luck

I think it’s nice that we finally get to see his face. Don’t know who he looks like just yet, but he is adorable-looking.

I do believe that celebrities might wear their babies a certain way because they want to keep them shielded from the press. There’s nothing wrong with carrying their baby with their faces covered, you never know, they might be sleeping or overstimulated, in need of some of what I call “back to zero” time. (By “back to zero” I mean getting them back to a calm state of mind.)

I love the idea of babywearing. Not only is it soothing for the baby-it makes things a heck of a lot easier for Mom, too. In addition to being able to juggle different tasks, including household chores, while keeping the baby close to her and helping to promote bonding, babies who are “worn” cry and spit up less. I’m all for anything able to eliminate that!
I wonder if babywearing is recommended for infants with colic. Does anyone know?

Actually, it’s the carseat carriers which have been blamed for the rise in plagiocephaly. The position babies are in while in carseat carriers may also increase their risk of stopping breathing – they are not supposed to sleep in them or be in them for prolonged periods. None of this is opinion – a quick Google search will inform you.

It’s so funny reading how different people’s perceptions can be. I always feel so sorry for babies bump-bump-bumping along in those ridiculous carseats, which are MURDER on the parent’s back, shoulder and arms, as well. Even without all the studies, it’s obviously more beneficial for a baby to be held (or “worn”), in contact with its mother’s body, than to be strapped into a seat.

However, the carseats do have the big advantage of not requiring you to wake your baby when they fall asleep in the car. You can just pick up the carseat and go, if you have a short way to walk, or put the carseat on a stroller base. I found that very helpful, but certainly did not want my baby to be in the “bucket” any longer than she had to.

As for slings and carriers, there are myriad advantages that have been mentioned, and every culture in the world, including ours, has its preferred baby carriers that keep the baby close to Mom. Some have theorized that the baby carrier was as important an invention for our cultural evolution as tools used for hunting. After all, if mom has to carry baby constantly, she can’t do other things like gather or farm or cook. Pre-modern people wouldn’t leave their babies out of arms, either – too dangerous. So, the baby carrier, sling, papoose, whatever – was absolutely necessary. (Can you imagine some hunter-gatherer woman or subsistence farmer lugging a baby bucket as they tried to work??)

It’s not as strict of a necessity today but still just as good for the baby and convenient for the mother.

How can a carried baby with their whole head and face covered SEE the world?

CBB note: This was answered above, we believe…most babies do not have their faces covered, and are held upright after the newborn phase.

CBB note: That’s totally fine if you don’t agree, but your post comes off as judgmental even though it seems like all your previous questions were answered? We want to address what you have to say.

First of all, we hope people don’t go by how the celebs wear their carriers, because most of them wear them incorrectly, and we would hate for people to formulate opinions from that. There were some great resources provided above that show the correct ways. Amanda Peet’s sling, the Premaxx, is awful and would not be recommended by many because it is uncomfortable. Also, the above information is regarding all carriers, not just slings.

Personally, my kids I’ve carried in the summer have always been perfectly happy when I’ve used a breathable sling made of linen or solarveil fabric. I use pouches and mei tais instead of a ring sling like Keri.

While the research supports the safety and benefits of slings (see previous posts for references), research also suggests risk to use of the car seats. A recent article in the British Medical Journal noted risk of asphyxia due to positioning that occurs in car seats, and recommended they only be used as intended, as car seats, and that infants should not be left in them for long periods of time.

Before you criticize moms who use slings, I suggest you do your homework. Some valuable information on slings are already noted above. I would also suggest going here for more info. I found the comment about “subjecting” children to slings not only offensive, but unfounded and uninformed.

That said, I have seen a number of photos of celebrities incorrectly using slings, which can result in risk to the baby and discomfort to mom. Thebabywearer.com has a number of excellent references on safe use of slings, and can be found
“>at TheBabyWearer.

Participate with their parent.

Benefits of the in-arms phase.

Why a carrier is more beneficial than actually carrying a baby in your arms all day- as many babies demand.

Cry less 1.

Cry less 2.

There’s even a study that throws out the “increased risk of SIDS” argument…

And the list goes on…

So I could have written a novel had I had the time, but each of these abstracts/articles clearly promote the benefits of babywearing…

“Surely they see more in a seat where they are uncovered and facing everything.”

Yes, a baby in a seat can see everything however, that is the disadvantage of a seat. As adults we are used to the noise, sights and sounds of every day life. A baby is not. In the womb she hears, but the sounds are muffled, she sees, but the lights are dim, she feels touch, but it is pressure and not pokes. Place a baby in a hard seat and she may rapidly become overstimulated by the noise and visual stimulation because she can’t tuck or hide and can barely turn her head. She may cry or fuss, until held, or become passive and “space out” or go to sleep. Overstimulated and stressed infants absorb very little information.

On the other hand, a baby in a sling can see the world or tuck and hide as she chooses. She is close to the comforting presence of her mother and the world is not so frightening or overstimulating. Relaxed she learns more about the world around her.

(For comprehensive and research based information on the advantages of holding and touch read the book, The Vital Touch by Sharon Heller, PH.D.)