International Babywearing Week
Did you know this week is International Babywearing Week (IBW)? I bet you didn’t! IBW was created to both celebrate Babywearing and all of the places it takes us and bring awareness to the practice. Many people think Babywearing is a new “fad”. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard “I wish they would have had this when my babies were small!” Carriers have been around, in so many forms, for centuries. It is only recently that the practice has entered mainstream parenting again. People are discovering the benefits of Babywearing and how much easier it makes taking care of a young child and the enthusiasm is contagious!
Babywearing has been practiced for ages. It’s history is deeply rooted in many different cultures and what we use today was created with knowledge learned from many generations before ours. The technology may have changed but the premise remains the same, “keep your baby close, free up your hands, and protect baby.”
Modern Babywearing has taken on a life of its own. There are carriers of many different types, price ranges, styles, patterns, and colors. Carriers for twins, premature babies, and preschoolers. There are carriers well suited for caregivers with physical limitations. There are groups located throughout the United States and the world dedicated to educating caregivers on Babywearing and it’s benefits. Some have libraries of carriers for try on or check out.
The benefits of Babywearing are numerous. Babywearing allows caregivers to keep their babies close. This helps with bonding, establishing breastfeeding, and soothing fussy infants. It frees up the hands of the caregiver to tend to other children, complete safe tasks, or just drink your coffee! Babywearing can contain and calm an overstimulated toddler, transport an overtired preschooler, and soothe a teething infant. Babywearing can help allow fathers to form a closer bond with their babies. It helps nannies bond with their charges. Babywearing can protect young infants from being touched in public by well meaning strangers. Babywearing can be a healing tool for survivors of trauma or abuse. The benefits are literally endless.
The theme this year is “Threaded Together” Babywearing is a practice that all caregivers come to for different reasons, but it unites us all. We are all united by our love for Babywearing, our love for our children or the children we care for, and our desire to form stronger bonds. We may have different carriers, different life styles, different budgets, and different needs but we are all threaded together by our love for Babywearing!
International Babywearing Week was created to celebrate these benefits. Groups around the country and world gather to share their love of Babywearing with each other and to spread the love with those who are unaware. IBW serves to bring Babywearing to underserved populations, provide education to those who are interested, and introduce people to the many benefits of Babywearing. Groups have informational sessions, fun gatherings, parties, celebrations, fundraisers, and online activities! You can visit https://babywearingweek.org/ for more information and to find an event near you.
The reasons why we chose to Babywearing may be different but the benefits are all the same. Close bonds, free hands, protection, healing, practicality. Whatever your reason, celebrate! Share the love! I hope to see you at an IBW week celebration!
