Babywearing is a powerful tool for parents, and it can be particularly beneficial for NICU graduates and preemie babies because it supports their physical and emotional development. According to The March of Dimes, approximately one in ten babies are born prematurely, and according to The Health Care Cost Institute, two in ten babies receive NICU care in the United States. These staggering statistics highlight the need for greater support and resources for NICU parents.
Having a baby in the NICU places immense emotional and financial strain on families, often leaving them feeling overwhelmed. The emotional toll of seeing a fragile newborn in the hospital, surrounded by medical equipment, is compounded by the stress of navigating medical care and facing an uncertain future.
For families to thrive in these circumstances, a holistic approach that addresses both emotional and financial needs is essential. One effective and nurturing strategy that supports both the baby and the parents is babywearing, particularly for preemies and NICU graduates.
Taylor Leiker, a NICU mom, regularly used babywearing once she and her son returned home from the hospital. Her baby boy, Wyatt, was born at 31 weeks old. Wyatt weighed 4 pounds, 8 ounces, and measured 18.7 inches long. He spent 46 days in the NICU.
Taylor shared that babywearing helped both her and Wyatt relax after their challenging experience in the NICU. Once they were home, she felt nervous without the nurses’ constant support and the ability to monitor Wyatt's well-being. However, babywearing helped ease her anxiety by keeping Wyatt close, offering comfort and security for both of them.
“Babywearing allowed me to feel more connected to him, calm, and relaxed. It also reduced my anxiety a lot as well. Just being able to have him on me reassured me that he was breathing and doing well. While we were in the NICU, we got used to the machines, monitors, nurses, and doctors telling us that he was doing good. Then not having any of that once we were home gave me horrible anxiety. I couldn’t sleep and couldn’t relax. But when I had him on me, it allowed me to relax and reduced my anxiety,” Taylor said.
In addition to reducing parental anxiety, here are NINE fantastic reasons why babywearing can support both you and your baby:
- Promotes Bonding and Emotional Connection: Skin-to-skin contact, often called "kangaroo care," fosters a strong emotional bond between the baby and caregiver and can be easily facilitated while babywearing. For preemies and NICU babies who may have spent extended time in an incubator or separated from their parents, babywearing helps reestablish that closeness. According to Nursing for Women’s Health, this connection helps to alleviate the emotional strain on parents, allowing them to feel more engaged and confident in their caregiving roles.
- Regulates Temperature: Preemies can have difficulty regulating their body temperature. Babywearing allows the baby to benefit from the caregiver's body heat, helping to maintain an optimal temperature, similar to how kangaroo care works in the NICU. According to Victoria Ward, a babywearing consultant, “being wrapped in a sling [or baby carrier] means that the premature baby uses less energy holding themselves close to their parent’s body.”
- Improves Respiratory and Heart Function: The upright position in most carriers can help improve breathing and oxygenation. Research also supports that babywearing promotes better heart rate regulation, which is particularly important for preemies, whose systems may still be developing.
- Supports Neurological Development: The close contact with a caregiver's body can reduce stress levels in preemies contributing to better brain development. Studies have shown that skin-to-skin contact, which can be achieved through babywearing, also stimulates sensory development and aids in neurological growth.
- Encourages Healthy Weight Gain: Preemies often have trouble gaining weight, but babywearing can help by reducing stress and improving digestion, allowing the baby to focus on growth. Close contact with mom can also help babies feed more frequently and efficiently, which can boost mom’s milk supply and a longer breastfeeding relationship (Knowles, 2020).
- Improves Sleep Patterns: It’s no secret that most babies prefer to sleep in the arms of their loved ones. While this may not always be convenient, there are valid reasons behind it, and babywearing can make contact naps more manageable. The close connection between a baby and their parent promotes the release of oxytocin, the "feel-good" hormone, which helps both the baby and caregiver relax. Babywearing acts as a cozy, calming cocoon, often resulting in longer, more restful naps and deeper sleep.
- Reduces Stress and Promotes Calm: Babywearing can provide a sense of security for preemies who may feel overstimulated by their environment. The rhythmic motion of the caregiver’s movements, combined with the comforting proximity, and the familiar scent and sound of mom or dad, helps soothe the baby, leading to less crying and stress for everyone. Research shows that babies who are regularly carried in a wrap or sling cry up to 50% less than babies who aren’t carried.
- Enhances Parent-Child Interaction: For parents of NICU graduates or preemies, babywearing provides a practical and nurturing way to care for their delicate babies. This close, consistent interaction helps boost confidence and responsiveness in caregiving, especially when a baby has medical or developmental needs. By keeping their baby close, parents become more attuned to subtle cues, such as being sleepy or hungry, allowing them to respond more quickly and effectively. This not only leads to a well-fed and more rested baby, but also fosters a calmer, more peaceful parent-baby relationship.
- Lowers Expenses: The March of Dimes stated that babywearing is an accessible, cost-effective practice that can be easily integrated into daily life once the baby leaves the hospital. It allows parents to hold their baby close while still managing other tasks, reducing the need for specialized equipment at home. Many parents find working from home part time or full time more manageable while babywearing because they can be productive while still nurturing their relationship with their baby.
These extensive benefits combine to support the overall health, development, and emotional well-being of preemies and NICU graduates as they grow and adjust to life outside the hospital with their loving parents. In addition to babywearing, greater access to resources like mental health support, financial aid, and educational programs can empower families to thrive post-NICU. By offering a combination of practical solutions, such as babywearing, and comprehensive support systems, we can help ease the burden on families and provide them with the tools they need to nurture their child’s long-term health. Happy Baby proudly supports Hand to Hold, a national nonprofit 501(c)(3) that provides personalized emotional support, educational resources and community before, during and after a NICU stay.
Sources:
Knowles , R. (2020, November 5). Positive effects of carrying for baby. Carrying Matters. https://www.carryingmatters.co.uk/positive-effects-of-carrying-for-baby/
Little, E. E., Legare, C. H., & Carver, L. J. (2019). Culture, carrying, and communication: Beliefs and behavior associated with babywearing. Infant behavior & development, 57, 101320. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2019.04.002
March of dimes awards scholarships to exceptional nursing students committed to improving health outcomes for mom and baby. March of Dimes. (2024). https://www.marchofdimes.org/about/news/march-dimes-awards-scholarships-to-exceptional-nursing-students-committed-to-improving
Miller, R. R., Bedwell, S., Laubach, L. L., & Tow, J. (2020). What Is the Experience of Babywearing a NICU Graduate?. Nursing for women's health. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nwh.2020.04.003
Use Nurturing Touch. Use Nurturing Touch | Attachment Parenting International. (2007). https://www.attachmentparenting.org/use-nurturing-touch
Webb, V. (2010) Babywearing Premature Babies, The Practicing Midwife. http://www.babywearing.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/PM-article.pdf