New Hope Moms Try out New Trend of Babywearing
Babywearing Twin Cities travels all over the local area to educate parents about the benefits of ditching a stroller or babycarrier and wearing your baby.
“It really is something that can make the lives of both the babies and care givers so much easier,” says Laura Luce, the education coordinator for Babywearing Twin Cities.
With 200 group members and nearly 4,000 likes on Facebook, the group has a lot of support. While convenience is one benefit of baby wearing, these moms say it also helps you bond with your baby.
“Baby carriers are an incredibly safe place to put your baby,” added Luce. “You can monitor their breathing more closely and their temperature more closely. You may not be able to do those things when they are in a stroller or a car seat. Having the skin-to-skin or body-to-body touch is very valuable. “
Parents like Laura Luce say her doctor suggested baby wearing.
“My son was born very early so it was important that we got a lot of skin to skin time with him,” added Luce. “It was suggested that we look in to baby wearing as a way to keep doing that at home we did and fell in love with it and he basically lived in the carrier from when he came home from the NICU for a few years. Then my daughter also love being in the carrier so we basically live that way.”
Toddlers Can Also be Worn
While most are used to seeing babies worn, many don’t know that this method of carrying a child is also possible for toddlers.
“Currently on the market the baby carrier that goes up to the highest weight range is 70 pounds,” says Luce. “My Kindergartener is about 45 pounds so that kind of gives you that there isn’t really an end time. If it’s a child that you would give a piggy back ride to, you can probably wear them in a carrier.”
This organization holds meetings and events to education parents about baby wearing. They teach parents how to safely use the carries.
“We teach people how to do that safely and comfortably from birth through the end of the care givers and child’s wearing years,” says Luce.
Babywearing Twin Cities Promotes Safety
The organization is ran completely by volunteers. While education is their focus, they also want to get rid of any false information surrounding baby wearing.
“The children of the volunteers who wear their kids often are some of the most independent kids that I’ve ever met,” added Luce. “So, purely form my own anecdotal evidence I don’t think that baby wearing creates clingy kids, which is one of the things people claim about baby wearing.”
While baby wearing has become more common, they hope the devices become more normal.
“I hope people know that baby wearing and baby carries should be one of those really ubiquitous baby items that every single person has,” says Luce. “Just like a car seat, just like a stroller or any other standard baby item.”
If you would like to learn more about Babywearing Twin Cities you can visit their Website and Facebook Page.
