Who What When Why Wear?

As I sit here typing, I have a 6 month old baby boy on my bare chest. He’s resisting sleep and has been out of sorts for a few days (I think it might be a tooth on the way, but really have no way of knowing). It’s a hot summer night, it’s 11.30pm and there’s not much chance of him going to sleep in his own bed anytime soon.

All of which sounds bad.

Actually, my son is calm now after waking up upset and he smells good so I am feeling those sweet-mushy mummy feelings. He’s calm because he’s with me – he loves me and feels secure. That’s one of the most empowering feelings in the world! Meeting his needs fills a need within me.

The babywearing comes into it because I am a bit selfish. It enables me to meet other needs (in this case, I wanted to write this post!) and still settle and comfort my son. I am wearing a comfy, attractive and supportive mei tai, I have my arms free, and I can both see over my son’s head and kiss his hairline at the same time. And I am improving my touch typing!

If I wasn’t “wearing” my son, I’d possibly be carrying him in my arms, pacing the floor. I’d get tired arms and maybe a tired back. Another option would be to have him in a pram and pace the floor or rock him back and forth – not freeing my hands, and not holding him close. The only other ways I can think of settling him involve popping him in some sort of rocking device, again distancing him from the personal contact he craves.

I wrap – or sling or wear my babies in some other carrier – because it is a way of meeting their needs as well as my own.

© Ruby/ScarletRubies 2009_0202

Further resources you may find helpful:

• Wrapping instruction links at the Babywearer (you must be logged in to access)
• Wrapping instructions at Wearyourbaby.com