Babies have been carried in slings from ancient times onwards.  This is natural.  Apart from the fact that there used to be countless dangers your baby would have been exposed to if left unattended, it was also practical.  You'd be keeping your baby warm with little effort, could feed on demand and made sure that your baby learnt about his or her environment as you went along your daily business.

These days you may rest assured that your baby is safe in his or her play pen - although this doesn't prevent 'helpful' siblings from throwing in toys to 'entertain' baby or climb in themselves to 'cuddle' him or her as if a doll. 

However, from an emotional perspective, your baby has spent 9 warm and comfortable months in your womb and is now exposed to an environment with acute noises instead of the pleasantly gurgling sound of your own digestive system.  Bright lights and sudden movements may frighten your baby, let alone unfamiliar smells and faces.

His or her own unco-ordinated arm movements may also scare your baby, preventing them from sleeping peacefully and instead yelling, demanding attention.  Studies have shown that babies carried in slings cry and fuss up to 50% less.  Further studies have also proven that babies that are happy and restful are less exposed to violence from frustrated parents who are at their wits end due to endless yelling.

But it's not only baby who benefits from being carried in a sling.  Bonding with your little bundle of joy may not come easily to every parent, especially these days when organised rationality prevails and baby's demands don't match your life style experiences.  By feeling your baby rest against your body you will experience a type of closeness you're not going to have when pushing your baby around in a pram.

This is not to say that you shouldn't use a pram or buggy when this is more convenient but instead complement the different ways of carrying your love!

Another advantage to carrying your baby in a sling is that you'll be stimulating his or her neurological development, that is, the way in which the nerves grow and connect.  Your baby will share your harmonious body movements as you walk and continue about your every-day activities.  This stimulates you baby's own senses, gradually getting them used to the complex environment outside your womb.  As such, your baby is likely to be less clingy as he or she grows older. 

You'll also find that your baby is less likely to be bored as he or she watches and learns abour the world from the comforting safety of your chest.

Incidentally, a good baby carry sling will allow numerous ways of carrying your baby - from facing you on your chest, looking outwards, on your back etc.  You can even carry twins with you or an elder sibling, too.  You just need to try out the different ways of carrying your baby that suit you and your family requirements best, as well as obviously which way is the most comfortable for your baby!

Check out our own range of carry slings, ByKay, that are comfortable to use, come in trendy colour combinations and can be personalised with your baby's name!