Melissa Corkhill

By Melissa Corkhill

22nd December 2015

How babywearing encourages a more present aware state of parenting

Melissa Corkhill

By Melissa Corkhill

22nd December 2015

Melissa Corkhill

By Melissa Corkhill

22nd December 2015

DEEPEN THE CONNECTION
Jen Topping at firespiralslings.co.uk explains how babywearing has helped her deepen her connection with her daughter. ‘Carrying my baby close in the sling creates so many incidental little moments in which we can connect. We experience each other on an almost unconscious level, constantly relaying information between ourselves through our movements, our breathing, the way our focus shifts. Over time I’ve learnt to better anticipate her needs. Some days I’ll be busy trying to get jobs done, whilst she is crawling around at my feet – her internal timer ticking down as she gets grumpier and I become more hurriedly stressed. Picking her up and having her nestled in the sling as I work seems to harmonise us and balance our needs; she has a little more patience with me while I carry on with the practicalities of life, equally I can extend my emotional and physical space to include her a little more whilst my focus is temporarily elsewhere. Slings make my life so much simpler and calmer which in turn makes me a more peaceful parent.’

IN ARMS PHASE Joanna Mockford is a Slingababy trained consultant at carrymybaby.co.uk ‘I was first drawn to babywearing when I heard about the “in arms phase” (a period when babies spend most of their time in arms during the first six months), in cultures where they live far more peacefully and in line with our human continuum. When my first baby came along I carried him near constantly, whether in arms or in a sling, and I loved how it enabled me to really get to know my child. I could be responsive to his (and later, my other children’s) needs and be in tune with his nature. With each of my children, I’ve known a few minutes before they wake needing to be breastfed because my breasts would tingle; we were that closely connected. I make it my work now to inspire parents to carry and cuddle their babies for the vital close bond and relationship that children need, and to become confident in being able to care for them and understand them.’

IN TUNE WITH CHILDREN Zoe, owner of Oscha Slings (oschaslings. com. com) has three young children and has found babywearing invaluable to meet everyone’s needs. ‘When my daughter was only 16 months I gave birth to premature twin boys. It was hard to juggle everyone’s needs; luckily I already used slings with my little girl so knew how helpful they are. It was wonderful to be able to comfort the babies, whilst getting things done and spending quality time with my toddler. This reduced stress levels for the whole family and allowed us all to live more harmoniously. It was harder to bond with the boys, who had spent time in the neonatal unit; using slings helped with this process, enabling me to be in tune with them, ensuring needs were met easily and readily. Carrying them in the sling allowed us to interact effortlessly, and for them to be in a safe, cosy place, which is optimum for growth and development. We could see each other’s faces, they felt the rhythm of my movements and the beat of my heart as we went out for walks. It allowed us all to share special moments together during what was a very busy time. There can be no nicer feeling than when your baby rests a soft cheek against your chest as they doze off to sleep.’

HAPPY BONDING TIME Angeline Braidwood at sleepynico.com explains how babywearing helps create a sense of calm. ‘Babywearing helps promote a sense of peace and calm for babies and their families. Babies love to be held, so time spent in a care-givers arms, or sling is a happy time. This is because your baby feels secure in such close proximity to you – surrounded by the scent of your skin, the calming rhythm of your heartbeat and the warmth of your touch. As a parent, when carrying your baby you are able to feel and see your infant at all times – there is no better place for you to be more in-tune with their needs. Studies have shown that close attachment helps create strong and secure bonding and this in turn leads to confident, happy and independent children and adults. The close connection created when carrying your baby releases serotonin and makes both of you peaceful and happy. When I carried my girls in their Sleepy Nico carriers, we were able to enjoy being together all the time yet still carry on with our busy days: baking with my toddler, crafting with friends and enjoying walks together. Since our baby was always able to share experiences with us we were able to continue with many aspects of daily life without feeling stressed or a conflict of interests and this definitely helped to make us a more relaxed and contented family.’

PROMOTING QUIET ALERTNESS Shabs Kwofie is founder of Amawrap (amawrap.com) and she believes that babywearing supports a more peaceful state of mind as baby is held so close to her parents. ‘Through babywearing, parents are close enough to be able to read their child’s facial expressions and gestures far enough in advance, before the baby must resort to crying to communicate their needs. These gestures include rooting for milk because baby is hungry, squirming due to a soiled nappy, or the look of fear due to unfamiliar surroundings or people. When baby cries less, it means that parent is less stressed, happier, and more receptive to their baby. In addition the less stressed the baby is, the more likely he is to be in a state of “quiet alertness” when in the sling, thus helping him to learn, and also develop better hormonal responses to stress later on in life.’

WE ASKED YOU
How does carrying your baby affect you?
ROSEANNE KINVIG I love being so much more aware of my baby’s movements and moods when holding him, knowing I can be free to go virtually anywhere with him. Sharing in his peaceful comfort when wrapped up means I worry less and relax more when baby wearing!
JU REKIA BERNARD I didn’t get stressed out by having a million things to do. By using a carrier it made life much easier.
KIRSTY LOBB It felt completely natural to babywear: the close physical contact was enough in itself to relax both of us and help satisfy my maternal instinct to ‘protect’.

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