There are many slings and carriers on the market today, but what are the real benefits of wearing your baby?
In some cultures, babies are worn constantly during the waking hours. Those babies not only nurse more frequently, but the Moms do not seem to have problems with an adequate supply
In our culture, we do not "baby wear" as often. Close contact and frequent nursing are essential to stimulate the hormones that make milk and keep a good supply. This is also very important for infant development. Babies' brains are growing at a fantastic rate, and contact with a caregiver and talking to your baby helps their brain make the connections that improve intelligence.
You can also include tummy time with your baby lying on you during the day. The horizontal position of the baby on your chest helps your head return to the correct shape. Babies do not always like tummy time at first, but they love laying on your chest. Including skin to skin with this holds many benefits.
Skin to skin helps:
It calms you and your baby
It helps decrease infant crying
Releases hormones that relieve stress and stabilize the baby's temperature, breathing rate, heart rate, and blood sugar
Releases hormones that increase milk supply
Releases a hormone that lowers mom's stress and promotes healing