Guest Blogger: Leslie Brinkely of "And Her Little Dog Too"

by guest blogger Leslie Brinkley of And Her Little Dog Too

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One thing I always knew I would do once I became a mom would be using a baby carrier. I always see moms {and dads!} out and about with their little ones in tow, looking so happy! I’ve done my research on carriers for sure, but nothing beats seeing them in action. I love to check out the different kinds out there, the many positions the baby can be in as well as how the baby looks in the carrier. To me, it just seems like a comfortable and convenient way to be with your little one.

I was recently selected {as a new mom-to-be} to take part in a special blogger project with the wonderful folks at Catbird Baby to review their carriers as a way to embrace all things baby wearing. Their company name comes from the expression “sitting in the catbird seat,” which means to be in an advantageous position (from the short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, by James Thurber). What a perfect description for a baby who gets to see the world while snuggled in close to Mom or Dad!

Since becoming pregnant, I have been counting down the moments until I could carry my own little one. I have done a little research to better prepare myself for wearing my baby and here are a few of the benefits of babywearing that stick out most in my mind. I look forward to putting them to the test with my little guy a few months from now; check them out and let me know what you think:

Carried Babies Cry Less! Researchers have found that babywearing for three hours a day reduced infant crying by 43% overall and 54% during evening hours. {source}
Carried Babies Learn More! Carried babies spend more time in the state of quiet alertness. This is the behavioral state in which an infant is most content and best able to interact with his environment. It has been called the optimal state of learning for a baby. Researchers have also reported that carried babies show enhanced visual and auditory alertness. {source}
Baby Wearing is Healthier for You! By doing this you will enjoy the dual benefits of walking and “weightlifting. ” Wearing your baby burns up to around 300 extra calories a day! A brisk ten-minute walk will shed about 100 calories. Baby provides as much (or more!) “resistance” as a pair of hand weights. A long walk in the carrier is also an excellent way to help a tired but over-stimulated child fall asleep. {source}
Baby Wearing is Convenient! Three words : Two Free Hands!

Baby wearing also:

Increases cardiac output, improves circulation, promotes respiration and aids in digestion.
Provides the exact level and kind of stimulation an infant requires, energizing their nervous system and creating a quiet, calm alertness in the infant.
Decreases the levels of stress hormones circulating in a baby’s blood stream, resulting in a more relaxed, happy baby.
Develops the muscles needed for the infant to sit, stand, and walk.
Enhances motor skills by stimulating the baby’s vestibular system (balance organs) by exposing the baby to a variety of sights, sounds, and motion.

{source}

Thanks to the lovely folks at CatBird Baby, I can’t wait to try out their Pikkolo and Mei Tai carriers myself with our little man! Stay tuned for my reviews & feel free to share your thoughts/experiences on baby wearing with me – I’d love to hear it!