Babywearing: Why to Do It, When to Do It, and How to Prepare Before You’re in the Overwhelm of Postpartum
- April Kline
- May 6
- 5 min read
I was lucky enough to be an expert contributor on newborn development and bodywork at a Center for Babywearing Science (CBWS) workshop last weekend. But let me tell you—I took away more than I contributed with this event! I wore both my daughters when they were babies, but it was out of sheer desperation, not knowing any of the vast amount of science that supports it, not having a community of experienced babywearers to help me, and not because it was a trending thing to do. Nope. It was literally because my first baby screamed any time I set her down. I was alone most of the time because we had just moved to a new town and my husband traveled a lot. I had to make things work. So, I went to the fabric store, bought a long length of t-shirt fabric, and tied her onto my body. Boom! My hands were free, she was content, and… within a week, strangely, she was allowing me to set her down on her playmat for short periods of time.
Clearly, I have been a long-time fan of babywearing, but I had NO IDEA the amount of studies that confirm it, and very little knowledge of the very long and varied history of babywearing. I learned so much from Joanne, the founder of the CBWS, and I want to share some of that with you.
There are very few things in early parenthood that check as many boxes as babywearing. It’s practical, regulating, connective, and deeply rooted in both human biology and modern neuroscience. And yet, most families approach it as an afterthought—something to figure out when their hands are already full and their baby is already crying.
Let’s change that.
This is what actually matters about babywearing: Why it works, when to begin, and how to set yourself up to do it well from the start.
Why Babywearing Matters (From a Biological and Nervous System Perspective)
Human infants are born neurologically immature. Compared to other mammals, they arrive needing an “external womb”—a regulating environment that supports their heart rate, breathing, temperature, digestion, and emotional state.
Babywearing recreates that environment in a way almost nothing else can.
1. Nervous System Regulation
Close contact—especially chest-to-chest—supports co-regulation. Your baby’s immature nervous system uses yours as a template.
Your heartbeat stabilizes theirs
Your breathing patterns guide theirs
Your warmth regulates their temperature
Your movement provides vestibular input (which helps organize their brain)
This isn’t just comfort—it’s development.
2. Reduced Crying & Stress Hormones
Research consistently shows that babies who are carried more tend to cry less. Not because they’re being “soothed” after distress—but because distress is prevented.
Lower crying = lower cortisol exposure = healthier brain development over time.
3. Supports Feeding & Milk Supply
Proximity increases feeding cues and opportunities, which supports:
Milk production (through frequent stimulation)
More responsive feeding rhythms
Earlier cue recognition before full distress
For lactating parents, babywearing often makes feeding more intuitive and less scheduled.
4. Musculoskeletal & Sensory Development
When worn properly, babies experience:
Gentle, constant micro-adjustments (core activation)
Hip positioning that supports healthy joint development
Balanced sensory input (touch, movement, sound)
This is far more neurologically rich than long stretches in containers.
5. Caregiver Function & Mental Health
From a practical standpoint: babywearing gives you your hands back.
But more importantly, it:
Reduces the stress of “putting baby down”
Increases confidence in reading cues
Allows for mobility without constant disruption
This directly impacts postpartum mental health in a meaningful way.
When Should You Start Babywearing?
Short answer: you can start right away.
Longer, more nuanced answer:
The First Days (0–2 weeks)
You can begin babywearing as soon as you feel physically ready.
Many families start within the first week, especially with:
Soft stretchy wraps
Ring slings
Structured carriers with newborn inserts or adjustments
Focus here is not “doing it perfectly”—it’s getting comfortable with proximity and positioning.
The First 8 Weeks
This is the prime window for establishing babywearing as a normal rhythm.
Babies in this phase:
Expect near-constant contact
Are adjusting to life outside the womb
Benefit most from regulation through closeness
Babywearing here often prevents the “my baby won’t be put down” stress spiral—because you’re not trying to force separation too early. And a less-stressed parent, makes for a less-stressed baby!
Beyond 2 Months
Babywearing continues to be useful for:
Naps on the go
Fussy periods (witching hours, developmental leaps)
Outings, errands, and transitions
It evolves from a survival tool into a flexible lifestyle support.
What “Good” Babywearing Actually Looks Like
There are a lot of opinions online, but the fundamentals are simple and non-negotiable:
Baby is upright, chest-to-chest
Airway is clear (chin off chest, visible breathing)
Spine is supported in a natural curve
Knees are higher than bottom (an “M” position)
Baby is close enough to kiss without strain
If those are met, you’re on solid ground.
How to Prepare Before Your Baby Arrives
This is where most people miss the opportunity.
Babywearing is a skill. And like any skill, learning it while exhausted, healing, and overwhelmed is not ideal.
Here’s how to set yourself up to succeed:
1. Choose 1–2 Carriers (Not 6)
More options ≠ more success.
Start with:
One soft, forgiving option (like a stretchy wrap or ring sling)
Optionally, one structured carrier for longer-term use
Learn those well instead of collecting gear.
2. Practice Before Baby Is Born
Yes—really. It may feel silly, but the muscle memory is a lifesaver in those first few blurry weeks postpartum.
Use:
A doll
A stuffed animal
Even a bag of flour
Focus on:
How to tighten and adjust
Where baby’s weight should sit
How it feels on your body
You’re building muscle memory so you’re not troubleshooting under pressure.
3. Learn Positioning, Not Just “How-To”
Don’t just memorize steps—understand principles:
What makes a position safe
What makes it comfortable
How to recognize when something is “off”
This makes you adaptable with any carrier.
4. Set Up Your Space
Have your carrier:
Easily accessible
Not buried in packaging
Adjusted roughly to your size
The barrier to using it should be low.
5. Include Your Partner or Support Person
If someone else will be caring for your baby, they should also:
Practice
Adjust the carrier to their body
Feel confident putting baby in and out
This distributes the load and increases overall success.
6. Get Hands-On Support (If You Can)
A postpartum doula, babywearing educator, or even a short consult can:
Troubleshoot your specific body + baby combo
Prevent discomfort or unsafe habits
Fast-track your confidence
This is often far more useful than hours of online searching.
A Final Reframe
Babywearing isn’t a trick to make your baby more independent.
It’s the opposite.
It’s meeting their biological need for closeness so fully that their system doesn’t have to fight for it.
From that place, everything else—sleep, feeding, development, even your own sense of ease—tends to fall into place more smoothly.
And practically? It makes daily life with a newborn far more livable.
If you prepare ahead of time and start early, babywearing becomes less of a “tool you try when things go wrong” and more of a steady, reliable foundation for your postpartum journey.
And you won’t have to go to the fabric store and make it up out of desperation.
Here are some great resources to get you started:
This is Joanne’s amazing organization, the Center for Babywearing:
You can find a local babywearing expert or someone who does virtual sessions:
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