All methods of carrying your child converge on one thing: meeting needs. Whether those needs are those of the baby or the parents. So we've put together a little guide to what we felt was important to understand the basics and advantages of babywearing.
What are the available methods of carrying?
There are many different types of baby carriers available. It's important for parents to try out the various carriers on the market to find the one they feel most comfortable with and that best suits their daily needs. Don't hesitate to contact a babywearing consultant for guidance.
The sling :
The sling is a knot-free carrier, the perfect solution for those reluctant to tie knots. It's an asymmetrical carry, distributing the baby's weight over one shoulder. It's fastened by passing the fabric between two rings, and the baby's weight in the fabric locks the rings in place. Its main advantages are its quick setup, lightness, and compact size, making it easy to slip into any bag.
The fabric can be woven or knitted.
At Bud & Blossom we offer slings woven from 100% linen, which provides excellent support while having a thin fabric thickness, which is much appreciated by parents new to physiological babywearing.
Here you will find our collection of linen slings .
Linen Ring Sling "Candy Cane"
The knitted scarf :
These wraps are also often called stretchy wraps. They may or may not contain elastane. They are generally appreciated for their very snug, cocoon-like feel. Their elasticity requires tying with several layers of fabric across the baby's back. They will accommodate your little ones from birth, but carrying them will be less comfortable for a toddler due to the fabric's stretch.
At Bud and Blossom, we offer a collection of knitted wraps to support parents during the postpartum period. Our knitted wraps provide a cocoon of softness and lightness for you and your baby.
Wanting to revolutionize stretchy scarves, we have developed a perfect fabric composition in Oeko-Tex cotton, the opportunity to create an incomparable physiological carrying experience.
Find our collection of wraps here.
Wrap stretch scarf "Matcha"
The pre-formed baby carrier :
The classic baby carrier is a carrying method generally made of woven fabric. It usually closes with clips. Easy to put on, however, make sure it's ergonomic to best respect the baby's body shape. It's put on like a backpack, consisting of a clip-on waist belt, a panel that wraps around the baby, and two padded shoulder straps that clip onto the back.
At Bud & Blossom, our Exquis physiological baby carrier combines the flexibility and second-skin feel of a baby wrap with the practicality of a clip-on baby carrier.
Discover our collection of Exquisite items here
The mei tai :
The mei tai is very similar to a classic baby carrier in its construction and how it's put on. Like a carrier, it's made of a panel that wraps around the baby. Its distinguishing feature is its fastening system. It has fabric panels at the waist that are tied, as well as fabric panels that serve as shoulder straps, which are also tied around the baby.
The woven scarf :
They can contain linen, cotton, silk, wool… They are most often sewn from a fabric called "twill weave." They are very adaptable as they can be used from birth until around age four. They allow for tying with a single layer of fabric across the baby's back.
What physiological babywearing options can be found at Bud & Blossom?
At Bud & Blossom, we offer three types of baby carriers:
Slings. Our slings are distinguished by their thermoregulating linen material. They are designed to be both stylish and supportive.
EXQUIS. A hybrid baby carrier. Exquis is characterized by its soft and non-rigid waistband which fastens with a piece of fabric held between two rings like a sling.
Its apron is flexible and lightweight. Its thin, padded straps provide support and softness. The most important difference is that Exquisite was designed to be worn with crossed shoulder straps in the back, which greatly optimizes the distribution of baby's weight for a feather-light effect. Exquisite defies convention. If you've never found what you're looking for in a traditional baby carrier, Exquisite is probably the one for you.
What are the benefits of physiological babywearing?
Babywearing offers a host of benefits. If you weren't already convinced by babywearing, we've outlined the advantages that we consider essential.
Sleep
Whether on dad or mom, sleep will be promoted by carrying.
In his mother's womb, the baby slept peacefully, lulled by the beating of her heart and each of her steps.
Once out of the womb, it is with you, at the level of kisses and cuddles, soothed once again by your footsteps, in its cotton sack, that baby will feel reassured, calm, and protected. It will hear the rhythm of a beating heart again.
Colic
Often called "infant colic," it is partly due to an infant's immature digestive system. Because their digestive system is not yet fully developed, this can cause spasms and painful bloating for your little one.
This can cause intense and prolonged crying in your child. Their discomfort is often characterized by significant agitation; the baby may squirm and experience difficulty sleeping.
This weakening of the digestive system can be relieved by carrying.
Indeed, the physiological position allows the baby's muscles to be completely relaxed, thus reducing colic. The baby's physiological position, combined with the rocking motion of the parent carrying them, provides a natural massage of the baby's tummy and absolute comfort.
Exquisite Leo Baby Carrier
What benefits does physiological babywearing offer parents?
The bond of attachment
Carrying your child is a way to connect with your baby. Sometimes this connection comes naturally, while other parents find it more challenging. Sometimes the bond is instinctive, sometimes it takes more time.
Sometimes the mother will find her place very easily after carrying her child for nearly nine months, while conversely, for her or the co-parent, it may be a slightly longer journey. Each family's situation is unique. What is certain is that babywearing is a tool that allows you to create or strengthen attachment bonds. It's a continuation of pregnancy. The skin-to-skin contact of the first few days can easily be done in a sling, for example.
Babywearing replicates the fetal position the baby had in the womb, which is how they will feel soothed. The walls of the womb provided security for the baby, and the fabric of the carrier replaces this feeling, continuing to provide that security. The closeness, eye contact, and physical contact with their parents will allow the baby to regulate their emotions and meet their needs.
Are you familiar with oxytocin? This hormone is also known as the love hormone. Oxytocin production is stimulated by affection, tenderness, and love, such as during rocking or babywearing.
Hands free!
If the baby feels reassured with their parent, it's also a way for the parent to cuddle and give lots of love!
With their hands free and their hearts light, Mom and Dad will be able to regain the mobility of their hands! So handy for getting on with their daily tasks: hanging out the laundry, hiking, taking care of the rest of the family…
Exquisite Peonia Baby Carrier
Feeding your child
Whether breastfeeding or bottle-feeding, a baby carrier will be your ally!
The added bonus is that when you breastfeed, the contact between you and your baby will again promote the production of oxytocin, and therefore milk production!
