Welcoming a new baby is a life-changing and beautiful experience, yet many face significant physical and emotional challenges after childbirth. Globally, a reported 17+% of new mothers experience postnatal depression (PND), while about 30% struggle with milder depressive symptoms. This highlights the urgent need for accessible, low-intensity ways to support your well-being—not just for your health, but for your baby’s as well.
Babies thrive when their mothers thrive, and the early months of life are a critical period of growth. During this time, you play a key role in fostering your baby’s emotional, mental, and physical development by providing love and care. What babies need most is a strong, nurturing connection to their mothers or primary caregivers, and babywearing offers a simple yet powerful way to help create this bond.
Though the demands of motherhood often leave little room for self-care or mindfulness, babywearing can help you stay present, promote your mental wellness, and reduce stress—all while keeping your baby close and secure. While babywearing is certainly not the sole solution for improving maternal mental health, moms who emply it often find it’s one of the key practices that helps them truly thrive in motherhood.
We spoke with Heathyr Shaw, artist, mother of three, and the creative force behind the Motherhood Journal, which fosters self-care for pregnant and postpartum moms. Heathyr has made babywearing a part of her daily routine, finding that it not only strengthens her connection with her children but also nurtures her mental health.
“Ever since our first baby was born, I have been trying to find ways to be ‘me’ while also bonding with and caring for my kids. Babywearing has saved my sanity, and even nourished it, by allowing me to be incredibly close to my babies in a way that they love, while also making it easier to work on aspects of my life outside of caring for them. Knowing that my emotional state affects my babies encourages me to channel calm as much as I’m able while wearing them. Having them against my chest feels like a little weighted blanket—the perfect hug to calm my nervous system,” Heathyr said.
Let’s explore specific ways that babywearing can help improve your mental health, with tips on getting started:
Time Outdoors
Spending time outside is crucial to both mental and physical health, especially for new moms. According to the American Psychological Association, even a short walk in an urban setting can reduce stress, improve mood, strengthen cognitive function, and enhance well-being. As a mom, you want to be your best self for your children—more patient, more fun, more present. But with so much pressure to always be at your best, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Being outside is an effective way to reset and relax, allowing you to enjoy the moment with your children.
If you’re feeling stressed, your baby is fussy, or your toddler is grumpy, go for a walk! It can improve everyone’s mood and change the direction of the day.
For Heathyr, one of the best ways she tends to her mental health is spending time outdoors. With three children, it can be a tall order to get out the front door, but babywearing helps make it possible. “Babywearing allows me to get outside with my older kids. Our baby strongly prefers being worn over being in a stroller, so I know I would hardly get out if I didn’t have the option of wearing her. I learned quickly after our first that I needed fresh air to combat some of the mental challenges that come with new motherhood.”
Practical Tip: Try starting with short daily walks, even if it’s just around the block. If you’re unsure which baby carrier to use, try our Original Baby Baby Carrier, ideal for your newborn up to 45 lbs.
Movement
Regular movement improves mood, energy levels, and mental health. Studies show that even a brisk 10-minute walk can enhance alertness and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Babywearing gives you the chance to stay active without needing a gym or specific workout routine. Whether it’s a dance party in the living room or a walk around the block, movement becomes easy with your baby along for the ride.
Heathyr incorporates movement by taking her family on walks, playing together, and doing chores— which, as any mom knows, is definitely exercise! “Our lives are so active, and I rarely sit down,” Heathyr says.
Practical Tip: Use babywearing as an opportunity to build movement into your day. You could try babywearing yoga, dance, or even simple stretches at home to stay active and engaged with your baby.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is the practice of staying fully present, shown to reduce stress and improve emotional well-being. For moms, being mindful is a constant balancing act between savoring moments with your children and managing endless to-do lists. Babywearing allows you to be productive while also maintaining a mindful connection with your baby, helping you stay grounded and present.
The Mental Health Foundation states that “evidence has suggested the benefit of mindfulness to health and well-being, with results showing positive effects on several aspects of whole-person health, including mind, brain, body, and behavior, as well as relationships with others.”
Heathyr uses babywearing as a way to practice mindfulness while balancing productivity. “I keep a journal to track little moments I want to remember. Babywearing gives me the free hands I need to write down these memories while staying close to my baby. It’s a reminder to slow down and appreciate the now.”
Practical Tip: Try setting aside a few minutes each day to journal or jot down small moments you want to remember. Focus on simple activities like breathing, holding your baby, or even sitting quietly as you babywear.
Pursuit of Hobbies
Maintaining hobbies can be essential for mental wellness, as creative outlets reduce stress and increase fulfillment. Babywearing lets you multitask and continue doing things you love while bonding with your baby, whether it’s reading, painting, or gardening.
“Babywearing lets me engage in activities that nourish my creativity, like painting, playing piano, or journaling,” Heathyr shares. “It allows me to continue doing things I love while keeping my baby close.”
Practical Tip: Set aside ten minutes a day for an activity that nourishes you. Babywearing can make this time possible, helping you balance self-care and motherhood.
Productivity
The workplace has changed, and many parents now have options to work from home or flexibly. Many moms like Heathyr even run their own businesses while raising children.
“Part of the reason I started my business was to work flexibly as our family grew. I had NO idea how much of my energy, time, and physical being would be required by my kids, and babywearing has come in as a major necessity to fill that gap. I also know the first years of children’s development depend on closeness with caregivers. Wearing my babies, even when I’m working, helps me know that I’m contributing to their development.”
Practical Tip: If you work from home, try using a baby carrier to free up your hands for tasks. Start with low-intensity work tasks that let you focus on your baby and gauge what’s manageable.
Meeting Everyone’s Needs
Motherhood can feel like a balancing act, particularly if you have multiple children. Babywearing offers a way to meet your older children’s needs while keeping your baby close. This balance can ease the stress of trying to care for everyone at once.
With three children—ages 4, 3, and 5 months—Heathyr relies on babywearing to meet the needs of her whole family. “With this third baby, I can’t imagine not wearing her. Being able to have my hands free for my other two helps me stay connected with them while caring for the baby. We’re able to get outside, run errands, and even play around the house while the littlest one naps in the carrier. Babywearing gives me multiple hours a day to bond closely with my baby that I wouldn’t otherwise have.”
Practical Tip: Try wearing your baby during routines like errands, playtime, or even mealtimes with your older kids. The closeness supports bonding with your baby while connecting with your older children as well.
Babywearing creates opportunities for you to practice mindfulness, find balance, and enjoy the little moments that make motherhood so special. As Heathyr puts it, “It helps me connect with my baby while keeping my hands free to take care of myself and our family. It’s a reminder to slow down and savor this season of life.”
Sources:
American Psychological Association. (2020, April). Nurtured by nature. Monitor on Psychology. https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature
Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). How to look after your mental health using exercise. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-look-after-your-mental-health-using-exercise
Mental Health Foundation. (n.d.). How to look after your mental health using mindfulness. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/publications/how-look-after-your-mental-health-using-mindfulness