Babywearing is a trend that does not look like it is going anywhere anytime soon and for good reason. When you wear your baby, you can promote bonding and closeness while still having your hands free to do other tasks. It enables you to be more mobile and take your baby places you may not be able to get a stroller, like a hiking trail.

Best of all, babywearing creates a convenient way to breastfeed your baby. If you are going to wear your baby, it is best to do it safely. Not only does this protect the baby, but it makes caring for your child more convenient. Here are some tips you should keep in mind when wearing your baby and breastfeeding.

Benefits of Babywearing

Wearing your baby has many benefits for you and your baby. For starters, being near you helps to keep your baby calm. The result is that she develops into a secure and confident toddler.

Having your baby close, especially if you can manage some skin to skin contact, can help her to regulate her own physiological rhythms. That nearness can also be useful in facilitating nursing. If you wear a nursing-friendly top, you can breastfeed easily without much adjustment or even being very obvious about it. Activities like grocery shopping, window shopping with friends, brunch, or just taking a walk can simply be done while wearing your little one...and best of all, breastfeeding done at the same time!  You simply make sure your baby is in a comfortable position for the both of you and make sure that her head is properly supported.

These are benefits for mom, too, because self care is an important ingredient for a happy relationship with yourself and baby. Having a baby does not mean that the world will stop for you. There are still chores to be done and errands to be run. There may even be other children who need care. If you can wear your baby, you may find that you have your hands free to accomplish other tasks. In fact, you may even be able to manage other tasks while you are actually breastfeeding.

Methods of Babywearing

• Sling- A piece of fabric that loops around one of the mother's shoulders, across her body to the opposite hip. Your little one may begin taking an interest in the world around him while in this type of carrier. A sling is an easy option to facilitate nursing as the baby is able to be brought down by adjusting the sling strap through the ring. Re-adjust to bring baby back to "kiss the head" position when finished feeding. 
• Wrap- A wrap is also a piece of fabric. In this case, however, just as the name says, the fabric is wrapped around the mother's torso and, generally, both shoulders. It creates a secure place for the baby to rest.
• Soft-Structured Carriers- These are more like backpacks. They can be worn on the back or the front and offer a more structured seat for your baby. They have straps that go over the parent's shoulders, giving them their backpack-like appearance.

How to Breastfeed In A Carrier or Sling

One of the great things about wearing your baby is that he is always close enough to make breastfeeding convenient. Here is a step-by-step guide.

• If your baby is old enough to sit up, you generally want his bottom at or above your navel during general wearing. Ensure his head is close enough to kiss.  During breastfeeding, he can sit lower in order to access your breast then re-adjust to the proper higher position when finished. 
• Keep an eye out to make sure that his face is not smashed into you and that his airway is not blocked.
• Once your baby is in position, it is usually pretty easy to be discreet about opening your top's nursing access to feed her. If you are wearing a nursing tank top or nursing hoodie, the design can make quick access that much more simpler and more convenient. These specially designed tops for breastfeeding are also great for promoting skin-to-skin contact with your baby outside of using the carrier.

A Few Safety Tips 

One of the big concerns about babywearing is safety and positioning the baby to be ergonomic correct. Safety is especially important if you are also breastfeeding while wearing your baby. It is possible to do all this if you follow a few rules.

• Make sure your baby's head is supported. If his head flops around she can be injured and have difficulty maintaining her airway. Keep his head close enough to kiss.
• It is okay for your baby to be in a lying position while nursing if you are stopping to sit somewhere, but you need to support his head. When you are not breastfeeding, it is best for your baby to be in an upright position and again, sitting high enough in the carrier.
• Practice carrying your baby over a soft surface like a bedside until you are confident about your carrying method and securing the carrier.
• Check your carrier for signs that it is becoming worn. If it is carrying your most precious cargo, you want to make sure it is in working order and everything is in tact.  Overstretched wraps and slings should be replaced. 
• When your baby is not nursing, make sure she is positioned properly in a sitting position with legs supported to the knee. The knee should be higher than the hips.  When legs are dangling from the hip, this can result in hip dysplasia.
• While having your hands free may allow you to do other things while caring for your baby, it is best to do activities that allow you to sit while your baby is feeding. Or doing something that is more leisurely like a slow walk when baby is feeding.  Being up and moving around can increase the risk of choking.  

Wearing your baby has many benefits. It promotes bonding and allows you to care for your baby while having your hands free. The closeness of wearing your baby can give you skin-to-skin contact and also makes breastfeeding easier and more discreet. If you are careful about your baby's safety and comfort, there is no reason you cannot enjoy the convenience of wearing your baby.

Are you finally ready for an alternative to that trusty stroller?

Before you hoist that baby up on your hip, let's talk about why the best baby wearing wraps are more your style. 

There are a lot of fashionable baby wrap styles that blend perfectly with your lifestyle, but what you may not know is that babywearing has major health benefits as well. 

The Benefits of Babywearing

According to several studies cited by Babywearing International, baby wraps can have the following physical and mental health benefits for your child:

• Using the best baby wearing wraps for at least three hours per day can decrease your baby's crying by 43%. 
• Babywearing has been shown to specifically reduce nighttime crying by as much as 54%!
• Baby wraps help premature babies and newborns better adjust to life outside of the womb by staying in-sync with their mother's heartbeat, breathing, and other movements. 
• Babywearing improves the bonding process between parent and child. The same goes for grandparents, nannies, or any other close family friend or relative who cares for your child. 

Now that you know a little about the science behind the babywearing phenomena, let's get down to the nitty-gritty and talk about how to make awesome baby wraps for your on-the-go life. 

How To Fold and Wrap Your Babywearing Fabric

Time for some baby wrap origami. 

As you grow into a babywearing wrap master, you'll learn that there are a few ways to wrap your fabric. However, if you're a newbie, the best baby wearing wraps method to learn is the "Front Wrap Cross."

Here's how to do it:

• First, find the center of your fabric and wrap it in front of your stomach and hold it there. It's important to keep your fabric even during the process. 
• While holding the fabric in place, take the other side of your fabric and hoist it up and over your left shoulder. 
• Then, take the other side, which is the fabric you're holding in place, and hoist that up and over your right shoulder. Now, you should have made a criss-cross with your fabric across your back. 
• Both ends of your fabric should be hanging down in front of your shoulders. Think of these as "straps." 
• The fabric across your stomach will serve as a "pocket" for your baby to nestle in. 
• Gently place your baby in the "pocket" and tighten your fabric straps to secure your child in place. 
• Last but not least, bring your straps down to the side of your baby and criss-cross them under your child's bottom to secure them. 

As you wrap, make sure your fabric lays flat on your back. Twisted back straps will cause even the best baby wearing wraps to loosen. 

The more you wrap, the more confident you'll become in your skills. Once you master that front carry, you may want to learn how to master the back carry wrap as well. 

As your baby gets a little older, you'll eventually want to move toward a "hip carry" wrap style or another style that allows you to comfortably transport a heavier toddler. 

Choose The Right Fabric For Your Wrap

Now, for the fun part. You're going to learn how to choose the right fabric for your baby wraps. 

Not any fabric will do for a babywearing wrap, though. 

Look for the following when choosing your wrapping fabric:

• 100% cotton
• Natural fibers
• Linen for Summer wraps
• Natural bamboo fibers
• Hemp
• Soft silk
• Muslin
• Wool for wintertime
• Eco-friendly or sustainable fabrics
• High-quality jersey knit for stretchy wraps
• Osnaburg for woven wraps

It's important for you and your baby to feel comfortable and not overheat. Many of these natural fabrics are already breathable, but you can also find more "breathable" fabrics at your local fabric store as well. 

How To Get Stylish With Your Wrap

The best baby wearing wraps look so gosh darn cute, right?

That's because moms aren't afraid to incorporate their baby wraps into their own personal style. 

Style is one of the guilty pleasures of the babywearing craze, as you're pretty limited (aesthetic wise) with just a basic baby Bjorn. 

These are some of our favorite baby wrap styles trending right now:

• Plaids and flannels for winter
• Colorful woven wraps with Indian motifs
• Paisley woven, all color palettes 
• Simple, cream-colored muslin
• Gradient dyed fabrics
• Rainbow woven wraps

With all the colors available in anekantsquick nursing tops, you will easily create a fashion statement with a corresponding baby wearing wrap matching color! 

Wrap It Up: Final Thoughts on Babywearing

You're about good to go, but not without a few important safety tips to keep in mind. 

Babywearing is definitely convenient, but don't get too comfortable. While babywearing, you'll want to avoid bike riding, hiking, running, jogging, and don't be caught driving your car. 

Your baby should also be positioned with their head and chin up so they can breathe and see easily. Don't position your baby too low in the pocket of your wrap or cover their face when pressed tightly against your body. 

Learn more about breastfeeding and baby wearing here. 

Stock up on savvy nursing tee shirts and nursing hoodies while babywearing so you can continue breastfeeding with more ease. 

With these safety and wrap tips on-hand, you're well on your way to mastering the art of the best baby wearing wraps. 

What are you waiting for? It's time to go shopping for cool and comfy wraps every new mom will love.