We interviewed Louisa Currie of Belly Beyond, who has brought her love of babywearing to her online store, about babywearing and her own personal recommendations as a mum.
First up, what exactly is babywearing?
The literal translation of babywearing is that it’s the act of carrying or wearing your baby in a carrier and although it might seem like the latest parenting buzzword, babywearing has been around for centuries. In many cultures babywearing is the norm and something that has always been done, mainly from necessity and because carrying your baby is the most efficient way to get it from A to B.
As a parent, what benefits have you experienced from wearing your baby in a carrier or a sling?
I bought my first sling when I was 13 weeks pregnant with my first child and I’ll be honest, it was mainly because I really liked the fabric! But once she was here it didn’t take me long to see what a huge difference having her near me had to her temperament. I found out that babies have a biological need to be close to their parents and my little one was no exception. I used the sling, and then the Ergo, for both my kids, to keep them close and give them the comfort (and breastfeeds!) they needed while I was going about my day. They main benefit for me was being able to nurture my children but still being hands-free to be effective in other areas of my life and the huge fact that because they were happy, I was too! I often had comments from family and friends like ‘does she ever cry?’ because it was such a rare thing.
How should a parent decide which is going to be the best for them?
There is a large variety of carriers on the market and the choice can be a little overwhelming. Things to consider when buying a carrier are how old baby is, what you’ll be using the carrier for (eg, quick trips or for longer periods) and who is going to wear the carrier. If more than one person (Dad, Grandparents, babysitters) will babywear, then you'll be better off getting a carrier that isn't size specific. Check the reviews online for different carriers that may suit your specific needs.
What carriers or slings do you recommend for ensuring appropriate support for a baby/infant?
Look for a carrier where baby is held close to the wearers body and supports baby’s head and neck. Check to see that they are in a natural ‘frog’ position when carried, eg legs spread and supported under flexed knees. Pouch and ring slings are ideal and a modern soft carrier like the ERGObaby is also a good choice. Front packs, while convenient don’t give adequate support as they essentially hang baby by their crotch and can compress baby’s spine.
What about premature or newborn babies, do they need extra support or considerations when a parent is deciding what carrier or sling to buy?
Premature and newborn babies benefit greatly from the close contact that comes from babywearing. Ensure that their neck and head are well supported when being placed in and out of any carrier and that they are in a natural position when carried. When they are very tiny ensure that they are able to breathe easily in the carrier and avoid overdressing them as they get a lot of warmth from just being in contact with their parent. A wrap is a really good option for premature and newborn babies.
What baby carrier or sling is your personal favorite and why?
I love my dulce&zoet sling for the newborn stage and still use it regularly for my toddler during quick trips to the bank or kindy drop offs. I’m looking to trial one of the Unido slings too but my all time favourite is the ERGObaby carrier. If you can only want to buy one carrier, then this is one I recommend because it’s so versatile, has a great range of accessories and because it can be used from newborn to 3+ is great value for money - I know lots of people that have opted for an Ergo instead of buying a double buggy!
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