By Aga Cummins
It’s totally normal to ask questions. Babywearing is not extremely popular in western industrialized society we live in. I’m very happy to answer your queries about the matter.
The question was: is babywearing not delaying walking? The answer is: no, it doesn’t. It’s the opposite. When infants are in slings this helps them to strengthen core and neck muscles. They are so important for walking. Good tip to remember is that babywearing doubles up as tummy time. It won’t replace it but bonus if you babywear here.
Back to our topic: as babies are on the caregivers’ torso they adapt their body position constantly in order to be comfortably supported. They adjust their pelvis position, their legs and arms gently and naturally. In the nutshell this is the concept of self regulation. I digress again. Babies can feel how we walk during the act of babywearing, they can see it, they mimic it. Have you ever felt, especially if braving back carries, how they move their legs with every step you take? They are learning.
As I am such a big advocate of babywearing it’s not often that I am posting pictures of my older children walking or running. You can see them two in action towards the end of the above vlog. I have worn them since the day they were born. And there’s no negative impact on the way they move at all. My eldest started walking unaided when she was 13 months old. My 2nd child started walking, actually running to be precise, before he turned 10 months.
The research I promised is by © 2016 Springer Publishing Company 17http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1078-4535.22.1.17Creative Nursing, Volume 22, Issue 1, 2016Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Babywearing Robyn L. Reynolds-Miller, BSN, RN, CCRN
Once again, I’m delighted you are asking and raising queries. Keep me on my toes, I’m always very happy to answer.
Aga ⋒
P.S.: Nobody ever asked me if using a pram or a buggy or a push chair would delay the baby’s ability to walk 😀