Baby carrying increases a parent’s availability, freedom of movement and autonomy. When being carried, children are calmer and happier, allowing the mother to relax while continuing her activities. You can easily do household chores while standing, take care of the other children or execute tasks requiring two hands while seated. 

Many mothers even find it practical to breastfeed while going about their day. Although baby carrying does cause some restriction of movement, it is less so than with a stroller. The carrier avoids getting stuck in tight places such as narrow hallways or high-traffic public areas, for example. Walking on uneven terrain, in the snow or in the mountains, going up stairs, and using public transport are no longer out of reach.

Baby carrying make parents feel more serene and more competent as parents thereby boosting their self-esteem and self-confidence. Having your baby so close to you allows you to keep your eye on him and react rapidly to his needs. The child quickly feels reassured and cries less. The wrap is a sure way of comforting baby, particularly in the case of children with colic or other special needs. It is rare to see colic resist the power of the baby-carrier. If the baby is happy then the mother is calm, less tired and more available for her partner, her family and herself.

Parents feel they are adequately meeting their child’s needs. Women feeling insecure after the baby’s birth or going through post- partum depression can use the wrap to help them make the transition between their pregnancy and the baby’s arrival. Baby carrying can be seen as a prolongation of pregnancy and can help a new mother adapt to her important role.  

The mother-child bond is considered to be one of the building blocks of our personalities, and is all the more challenging when a mother has difficulty meeting her child’s needs. Many studies have shown that baby carrying helps build this essential bond needed for the child’s psychological development.

A well-known study published in Lancet in 1987 confirms this finding.  During the experiment, one group of mothers used car seats, which are very practical because baby need not be taken out at every stop, while another used soft carriers. Both groups were from disadvantaged backgrounds and were formed randomly. Instructions were to use the baby-carrier as often as possible. Researchers tested the quality of the mother-child bond thirteen months later. They found that 83% of children which were carried demonstrated a secure bond as opposed to 38% of those using car seats.

Cross twill fabrics, cotton fibres and a high weave density allow the wrap to hug the wearer’s body as well as that of the child’s to provide optimal comfort. The wrap adapts perfectly to the curves of the body. The width of the fabric distributes the weight evenly on both shoulders eliminating pressure points, contrary to pre-made commercial carriers which have narrow straps and, at times, hard buckles. Heavier fabrics are more comfortable, avoid light materials like toile. Although they may seem tempting on hot summer days, they tend to injure the skin and create too many pressure points.

The fact that baby hugs your body perfectly is what will bring you the most comfort. The child being closer to your centre of gravity means less external forces and less stress to your back with minimal tension or extension. Furthermore, the wrap is easy to adjust so you can lift your child, slide the fabric on your shoulder, and change position – from the back to the hip, for example. If you are tired of a position, changing things around is child’s play.

Although purchasing a woven wrap rather than a stretchable one may seem costly at first, you quickly realize that it is well worth it if you take into account you can carry a child up to 5 years. Without a doubt, some questions may arise. Some will say it is only a piece of fabric, after all. However, we invest a small fortune in baby equipment. These items are expensive and have a limited life span. On its own, the traditional wrap replaces all commercial carriers. Often times they can only be worn one way, either forward or on the back, and only accommodate a certain amount of weight.

The rare ones which respect anatomical criteria are often quite costly. We quickly realize that the stroller, which has become a necessity in the Western world, is quite cumbersome and not very versatile despite new functions added on from one year to the next. The wrap allows for greater accessibility and freedom. Furthermore, there is always a way to find an affordable one, either used or handmade. It is better to have a lesser quality wrap than none at all. However, you will find that cross twill is very expensive and that making the wrap yourself is not more economical.