Me? I’m going to wear a baby.
One of the hardest adjustments to having newborn twins was that I was constantly trying to hold them. I had no idea how much easier things could have been if I just carried both in a wrap. It’s crazy that it took having the fourth baby to figure out the ease and convenience of babywearing, but this is my new favorite thing EVER.
My journey to enlightenment started with a lactation consultant. She’s this awesome and knows-everything woman who is the perfect mix between the best grandma ever, a nurse, and maybe even a little of Mother Teresa. On each of the many visits I’ve had with her this month, she has mentioned how baby-wearing could benefit me. Of course, since I know everything (sarcasm intended), I paid no attention because I thought wraps were for hipsters and yuppies (no offense, wrapping mamas. Read on and you’ll see that I’ve come around).
Then I ended up at a different doctor’s office, and she also suggested that I try baby-wearing. Ok, now I was listening. They both recommended I visit a certain local boutique for advice and support with breastfeeding and, of course, babywearing.
Here’s what I learned about babywearing:
~With your baby wrapped, you can use both hands to do stuff. I can help the twins with their dinner, haul a load of clothes to the laundromat, or even (gasp!) go to the bathroom! All while holding/wearing baby John. Happy baby, productive mommy. Smiles all around.
~Wrapping a baby provides a lot of benefits for baby, including improved socialization, less fussiness, and a strong sense of attachment to their mommy.
~Babywearing benefits Mommy by creating more physical contact with baby, which decreases the chance of postpartum depression and improves breastfeeding.
~There is even an international babywearing organization, and local San Diegans can also join the Babywearing San Diego group!
~My lactation consultant said that wearing baby John will help keep my milk up by boosting oxytocin levels and will give me the warm baby snuggles that I’ll miss all day at work, if I “put him on” when I get home each evening.
I was so ignorant before. Baby wearing is not just a bandwagon trend for yogis and yuppies. Or maybe it is? I think it’s a great way for working moms to still have a bond with their little one. Either way, the benefits have me sold and I’m now a babywearing mama!