Another View Magazine Orillia Winter 2014 | Page 9

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The Joy of

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Babywearing
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By Tamara Champion

Babywearing improves breastfeeding outcomes
and helps the new mother avoid postpartum depression.

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Babies love to be held and carried. A baby sling is a practical solution to make baby carrying easy for busy parents.
This is how baby carrying becomes ‘babywearing.’

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Not only is it practical, but a baby sling or carrier is also
the optimal place for babies to spend time safely after
birth and beyond. Babywearing has been done for centuries as a way for baby to develop and bond with parents in
a nurturing environment.
The benefits of babywearing are extensive and include:

ssenllbabies cry less. ParentseH larwith their
• Carried eW & htla easily bond utaN

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baby through babywearing, and can recognize and respond quickly to early signs of distress, hunger, elimination, overstimulation, and even boredom.

• The nurturing, stimulating environment of a caregivers
arms are critical to early cognitive development. When
babywearing, infants spend more time in a state of ‘quiet
:eussi si awake but calm,
alertness’ in which they are ht edisnI quietly observing and learning from the world around them.
• For mom, physical contact with her baby is associated
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with the release of oxytocin, the hormone responsible for
positive emotions and the inhibition of the negative effects of stress. Babywearing helps mothers care for themselves and their babies duringihtnewborn stage. As well,
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babywearing improves breastfeeding outcomes and helps
the new mother avoid postpartum depression.

With many eM esenofhC and carriers idarT
enicid different styles i slings lanoit available,
nothing compares to an in-person babywearing consultation from a trained educator. Certified babywearing educators are individuals that have been formally-trained on
g babywearing confidently,
best practices for nihcaoC efiL comfortably,
and safely.
Babywearing is as gnircarrying babyB
safe as aewyba in arms when done
correctly. With the right carrier, parents will be comfortable with their hands free, and baby will be safe, cared for
and content.

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■ Tamara Champion
DONA-trained Postpartum Doula
Certified Babywearing Educator
(Center for Babywearing Studies)
Parenting By Nature, Orillia, ON
www.bynature.ca

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