Babywearing – why it’s so good for YOU
Did you know that babywearing is good for your health? Yes it’s good for your baby, yes it’s good for all kinds of practical things that mums and dads need to be doing then end up holding the baby, but it is also actually improving your health and that’s amazing and you should be doing it more!
Oxytocin – what is it?
How does it improve your health I hear you ask? It’s that all-important hormone Oxytocin. No doubt you’ve come across it mentioned in information about giving birth. And breastfeeding. But it’s also released when cuddling, and holding your baby close to you. Dubbed ‘the love hormone’ it’s a truly remarkable thing and it’s positive effects seem to be endless.
So Oxytocin is released and whizzes around your body when you have cuddles with your baby. Pop him in a sling, and you’ll be getting the benefits of the physical touch plus you’ll be sensing pheromones, which again are amazing little dudes, and that Oxytocin won’t be able to help itself but get to work. Every time you share a moment, a smile, a giggle, you can’t help but fall a little bit more in love with your baby, and that feeling is probably the feeling of oxytocin rushing around your body.
Oxytocin’s stress-relieving magic
It will be going to work countering the cortisol in your blood stream, thus reducing stress in your body. It also helps you sleep better (sleep? yes please) which again helps reduce levels of stress. Less stress improves the way your immune system functions, so you’re more able to combat infections and viruses. It can help pain receptors so you feel less pain, and can reduce inflammation in the body, resulting in fewer free radicals whatever they are, and a lower risk of cardiovascular disease. Sounds good, right?
Oxytocin actually helps you to breastfeed
Oxytocin will help with breastfeeding, sending all the right messages to the parts of the brain that need them, to trigger milk production and let-down. I’m a true believer in the improvement of milk supply from carrying in slings and the bond that creates and nurtures. Trust me, it worked for me, it works. And the positive effects of breastfeeding on a mum’s health and wellbeing are well documented, such as lowering the risk of osteoporosis as you get beyond your childbearing years, keeping your weight down by using up bundles and bundles of calories, delaying periods after childbirth and naturally preventing pregnancy if feeding often enough.
Wait, what?!
Oxytocin will also help cut cravings for food and drugs. I’ll just leave that there.
Oxytocin and PND
Oxytocin with all its stress-relieving will help with anxiety, and mental well-being. Another fascinating thing: Mums with post-natal depression have been shown to actually have lower levels of oxytocin. Could carrying your baby actually improve PND because it increases oxytocin? There is so much anecdotal evidence that it does, whether carrying just helps mama to feel more in control of day to day life with a baby, or whether it’s down to oxytocin or other hormones addressing chemical imbalances. Scientists are only just beginning to understand and prove that there is a link.
So there you go. Using a baby carrier is not just about being hands free and ditching the buggy. Carrying your baby in a beautiful sling is not just about looking amazing and attracting the warmest smiles and comments from complete strangers. Babywearing is not just about holding your baby at eye-level and engaging them in everything you do and say. But it is all these things and so much more – and it is good for your health.
