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[Moonbeam]

I see beneficial aspects for sure. However, I also believe there are other ways to make sure your children feel secure and nurtured. For me, I had to find alternative ways because it was impracticable if not impossible at times to hold/carry them. I think that comes with the territory of having multiples.

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/why-you-should-wear-or-carry-your-baby/#axzz2K2fTBqKW

by Mark Sisson, Janaury 29, 2013

<snip> Well, there’s one benefit that’s immediate and obvious to anyone, even those without kids. Parents, ever notice how your babies, who’re liable to erupt into tears when placed in the stroller, in the crib, or in the car seat, clam up when you decide to carry them? Non-parents, ever notice how those screaming hellions who annoy you in public places become pacified mutes once their caregiver picks them up, quiet and sweet enough that you can even imagine having one someday? Exactly. The kid stops crying, or maybe never even starts.

The idea behind babywearing/babyholding/kangaroo care/attachment parenting/whatever you want to call it is that since infants are helpless sacks of fleshy potential, we should provide all the support and reassurance they need to graduate to independent, intelligent, thinking, learning, growing, maturing kids and, eventually, adults. We want them to realize that potential, and it just might be that being what some might characterize as “overly nurturing” is the best way to do it. What does the research say about maintaining close physical contact with your baby?

Breastfeeding....

Benefits for mom and dad...

Benefits for preterm infants.... </snip>

[MamaLiberty]

As with everything else, there is no "one size fits all" solution. And combinations of answers are usually more logical.

I was not able to carry my babies a lot due to having broken my back as a teen. The first boy was nearly 9 pounds at birth, and got bigger FAST. I  envy those sling things some people use now days, but I doubt I'd have been able to use one much if I'd had it.

We used to lay on the bed snuggled up, usually right after a feeding and a bath. We'd play and giggle until they (or we) went to sleep. A special and wonderful time... thanks for the memories.

[amagi]

I held my son most of the time because he was autistic. I didn't know it yet.  I just knew that all the crying wasn't OK.  He cried ANYWHERE else.  Eventually he grew  mobile and curious and it was less of a burden.  I just read a book on healthy spines and posture that has a whole chapter on holding children to teach them to have good posture.  Turns out I did it right.  But my friend who also held her baby a lot didn't.  Her child was always very floppy and passive.  Probably the child as much as the parent, though I have other issues with her parenting.

If you think about our evolution it makes sense to hold our babies.  I think a lot of the sociopathic tendencies America now has as a culture come from 200 years of trying to lock babies away in a cage until they are less inconvenient.

This digression brought to you by a lot of coffee.

[securitysix]

As ML pointed out, it's not one size fits all.  When I was a baby, I couldn't be held.  I was born with defective hips (yes, defective is the right word).  The hip is a ball and socket joint and mine weren't sized right.  I don't know if the ball was too small or the socket too big, but when I was picked up, my hips would slide out of socket and, I'm told, it was excruciating and I would cry and wail loudly until I was put back down.  I eventually grew out of that (I was even able to play basketball for 3 years and football for 2, stopped both because I got bored with them), but I never really got used to being touched affectionately like a lot of kids do.  As a result (and probably coupled with the fact that I'm borderline autistic), if I don't brace for it, I jump any time someone touches me.

[MeyerLemon]

This is really good information! As one who is probably very near having my own (or near to trying, anyway, nothing is for sure, right?), it is good to know that my idea of just carrying the kid around and doing everything with them as much as possible is the way to go. When we were little but could walk and understand "no", gramma would set us up on a tall step stool in the kitchen and let us "help" cook. Sounds like she had the right idea!

[Hutch]

How do you defend /protect, you and baby, if your wearing the baby?

Hutch

[MamaLiberty]

How do you defend /protect, you and baby, if your wearing the baby?

Superior situational awareness, avoidance of places/people that increase risk of attack, not being alone if possible (someone to watch your back) - all the things mothers have done for eons. A woman with a small child on her back or her breast should simply not ever be taking the chances that an unencumbered woman or any man might consider acceptable.

If you have to draw and fire with a baby strapped to you, you'll probably have a deaf and very traumatized baby just for starters.

[Hutch]

Superior situational awareness, avoidance of places/people that increase risk of attack, not being alone if possible (someone to watch your back) - all the things mothers have done for eons. A woman with a small child on her back or her breast should simply not ever be taking the chances that an unencumbered woman or any man might consider acceptable.

If you have to draw and fire with a baby strapped to you, you'll probably have a deaf and very traumatized baby just for starters.

Give that lady a cigar.

I can't tell you how many times, that I have seen a couple with a small baby strapped to the man.

The woman just had a baby,and the guy's got it strapped to his body.

Neither one can provide proper security.

Hutch

[sharp_shepherd]

I just want to chime in an say my wife has been carrying our adopted daughter (now 9 months) since birth.  This poor baby was born addicted to so many drugs the doctors weren't sure she would make it through the withdrawals.  We met her at 3 1/2 weeks and started holding her in the hospital which rapidly sped up her "healing" and weaning off of Fentenol.  She came into our foster care and my wife left her corporate high paying job to stay home with her and our other young child.  It was time to trust in The Lord.  Nobody in her family wanted to come forward or was sober enough to come forward.  We adopted her this last April.  We learned that holding her as my wife has been seems to be the best treatment and I must say she seems to be totally normal.  We don't know if she was full term or not since mom never had any prenatal care. 

How a baby can go from a flight for life and a month in ICU to where she is now proves to me that prayer works.  I do expect challenges with all my kids so she is no different.  It takes so much work to raise a kid as I'm sure most if you know.  We have started early prep for home schooling by setting up our routine now.

God has blessed us by giving me enough work to take care of my family.

Amen!

[DiabloLoco]

I just want to chime in an say my wife has been carrying our adopted daughter (now 9 months) since birth.  This poor baby was born addicted to so many drugs the doctors weren't sure she would make it through the withdrawals.  We met her at 3 1/2 weeks and started holding her in the hospital which rapidly sped up her "healing" and weaning off of Fentenol.  She came into our foster care and my wife left her corporate high paying job to stay home with her and our other young child.  It was time to trust in The Lord.  Nobody in her family wanted to come forward or was sober enough to come forward.  We adopted her this last April.  We learned that holding her as my wife has been seems to be the best treatment and I must say she seems to be totally normal.  We don't know if she was full term or not since mom never had any prenatal care. 

How a baby can go from a flight for life and a month in ICU to where she is now proves to me that prayer works.  I do expect challenges with all my kids so she is no different.  It takes so much work to raise a kid as I'm sure most if you know.  We have started early prep for home schooling by setting up our routine now.

God has blessed us by giving me enough work to take care of my family.

Amen!

My only advice would be, make sure that all that "holding" does not stall motor skill development. There are things that you can do whilst holding the little one to help this, such as holding onto the baby's hands and getting them to stand on their own two feet atop your lap. If the baby falters a bit, you are there to help them back up to supporting their own weight. The uneven surface of your legs actually helps the baby learn balance, and builds core strength. I did this with my minions quite a bit and they were both walking by the time they were 7 months old. They both skipped right past the crawling stage!

[sharp_shepherd]

Oh, she's crawling and doing well at 9 months old.  No motor skill problems and all the doctors agree that my wife holding her in a frontal papoose has shown great results. 

[Rarick]

I remember several studies that show ignored babies literally die due to lack of attention.  Attention includes that carrying around and silly game playing and stuff.  The baby Cries to get SOMETHING it needs, diaper, attention, food, and knowledge that someone is just there to take care of it........  IF you want a person to be proud of, you will invest Vast amounts of time doing quality work starting from minute 1.

[knobster]

Excellent thread.  My son's very first night in this world was spent sleeping on my chest.  His momma was too tired to even protest that he wasn't in a crib.

[sharp_shepherd]

Rarick you are so right and real studies have found that picking up your crying baby (instead of having them cry themselves out) does much for the child's development and self esteem....even at an early age.  I must say that I have seen personally how this is true especially with our last 2 children.  Our 7 kids range in age between 9 months and 23 years.

[knobster]

Our 7 kids range in age between 9 months and 23 years.

I got tired just reading that sentence...