Babywearing and Breastfeeding During the Holidays
Babywearing is useful during all seasons, but there are many added perks to wearing during the chaos that is the holiday season.
1) Travel: Airports during the holiday season tend to be even more busy and stressful than normal. The convenience of being about to put your infant in a SSC or reign in a running toddler in a quick ring sling can’t be over stated. Babywearing frees up your hands to carry your bags, produce the requested documents, and take off your shoes and belt through security. You can wear your baby through airport security, though additional screening is sometimes requested.
2) Don’t want to play “pass the baby” with your infant? Put them in a front wrap cross carry and all eyes, but not hands will be on baby.
3) Want to dig into your mashed potatoes but baby wants to be held? A hip carry in a ring sling or wrap can free up your hands to eat that delicious food. Just use caution when around extremely hot food or drinks, grabby hands can move fast!
Newborn Squish in a Ring Sling
4) Toddler over stimulated by all of the lights, sounds, or activity? Babywearing can provide comfort and a place to hide out from all of the chaos around them. Snuggling next to a caregiver allows them to take a break for a few minutes and calm down a bit which can help avoid a major meltdown!
5) If you are a breastfeeding mama, Babywearing can provide a more discrete way to nurse in situations that aren’t always comfortable. I practiced in front of a mirror several times to see how much you could actually see (not much!) and that gave me the confidence to try in front of others.
Formula feeding mamas can also use Babywearing as a tool to get a busy baby to calm down long enough to take a bottle!
6) Babies are busy and new places are stimulating, wrap naps can be so helpful in avoiding an overtired baby or toddler who won’t sleep in an unfamiliar place.
7) Babywearing is also helpful for that last minute shopping we all end up doing! There is nothing more stressful than pushing a stroller through crowded stores and trying to keep baby happy long enough to make purchases. Babywearing frees up space and keeps baby close enough to avoid some of the overstimulation that comes with holiday shopping.
Whatever holiday you observe, this is a busy time for all of us. Utilizing Babywearing can help make this chaotic time just a bit more enjoyable and allow you a few moments with your child amidst all of the hustle and bustle around us.
From our family at Rumina to yours, we wish you a happy holiday season and a wonderful new year! Happy Babywearing!