Its no secret that a happy and calm parent sends good vibes to baby.  What might be a secret is a baby must-have item that I am willing to bet was never mentioned to you in all the nine months of reading you did.  I know because I felt as ready as I thought I could be and yet it took me a few months before I discovered the lost art of babywearing.  How could I have missed such a wonderful and beautiful way to bond with my baby and still load my crusty dishes in the sink?  Babywearing is not a new trend and is as old as the hills.  So here is my humble two cents on a few basics and what you might have not read in your parenting guides either.

The whys and what-nots of wearing your baby:

Its a natural equation!  At first you will just notice that wearing your baby will help you maybe throw a load in the wash and keeps baby happy while you do so.  Your baby on the other hand gets so much more.  The warmth of you is just a start.  Research shows that they also benefit greatly in overall weight gain just because of your touch.  They cry less and this in turn lowers your stress and theirs.  They are calm, happy and content being next to you.  Physically they grow into well rounded little people- quite literally.  As it is expected and necessary you will not always be able to hold baby, but wearing them when possible gives them less time in hard carriers such as the car seat or swing which can lead to the old misshaped head your doctor may have warned you about.  This can happen if baby is lying repeatedly in the same place or position for long time.  Wearing your baby gives them more time in your world and they learn so much from your point of view.  As they grow accustomed to your routine, they establish their own, and you might well be on your way to a full nights rest!  OK, that one might be a few years off but still..

Research shows that wearing your baby:

• 
  Helps them sleep better
  Cry less
  Gain weight better
  Forms bond with caregiver
  Stimulates brain
  Adapts to your normal schedule more readily

What this means to you:

• 
  More time to carry out other tasks
  Helps you keep up with other kids and family
  Nursing is easier dare I say, hands free almost!
  The best reason to wear baby: extra snuggles!

Babywearing lets you enjoy every possible moment with your sweet baby from infancy on up through the toddler years.  Heres hoping you enjoy the journey because as we all know it surely goes by all too fast.