7 Surprising Benefits of Using a Baby Sling

There are many practical reasons why parents are switching to baby carries, slings, wraps, and pouches. Among them, parents enjoy the hands-free benefits, the freedom from back and shoulder pain, and the additional comfort that it brings to their children. In addition to these "obvious" benefits, there are other additional benefits that researchers are currently working to confirm. Here are 7 widely held beliefs concerning the benefits of baby slings.

1. It reduces postpartum depression among mothers. For anyone that has ever used one of these carriers, there is an unexpected joy shared between both parent and child that often overcome the unexplainable helplessness that new parents often feel. Additional, the hands-free benefit of the carrier prevents new parents from feeling overwhelmed.

2. Improves infant growth and development through vestibular stimulation, increased parent interaction, and decreased time spent crying.


3. Increases the likelihood, frequency, and comfort of breastfeeding. Through the use of baby slings, many mothers are able to nurse their children hands-free (this takes lots of practice for both mommy and baby).


4. Increases the parents' feelings of competence and satisfaction. The constant closeness with their children allows for the parent to be more accessible to their child's needs. Additionally, the closeness soothes the child, which means less crying, and less crying positively impacts the parents' perception of their own parenting skills.


5. Improves the parents' physical disposition. Less arm pain from carrying their children.


6. Improves the breathing (oxygenation) of newborns when they are positioned correctly in the sling or wrap.

7. In at risk populations, it reduces the chances of abuse. In other words, parents are able to keep better track of their children when in public places.