It’s no secret that we’re big fans of babywearing around here. It’s not only the heart of who we are as a brand (our Solly Wrap started it all!), but also the rhythm of our everyday lives as a team full of parents. Don’t just take our word for it though—the benefits of babywearing are many and they’re science-backed. Trust us, you’ll be compelled by the first benefit alone.
What is Babywearing?
Babywearing is the practice of carrying your baby against your body using a wrap, sling, or carrier. It’s an ancient tradition found in cultures around the world—from Africa to Asia to the Americas—and one of the most natural and intuitive ways to nurture a little one. While today’s carriers may look different than those used centuries ago, the purpose remains beautifully the same: keeping babies close to the people who love them most.
The Benefits of Babywearing
1. It eases baby’s transition into the world
The “fourth trimester” is a big adjustment for newborns. When they’re wrapped close to you, their world feels familiar again—warmth, heartbeat, voice, and movement all echo their time in the womb. That closeness helps them feel safe and secure as they adjust to life outside.
2. It promotes bonding and connection
Babywearing keeps your little one nestled against you throughout the day, strengthening your connection and offering comfort through constant closeness. For non-birthing parents, it’s also a beautiful way to form deep attachment during those early weeks.
3. It’s (scientifically shown!) to calm fussy babies
Carried babies cry less. A study published in Pediatrics found that wearing babies for three hours a day reduced crying by 43% overall and 54% during the evening hours. Many Solly parents share that their little ones go from fussy to peacefully asleep within minutes of being wrapped.
4. It supports postpartum healing for mothers
If you’re recovering from birth, babywearing allows you to hold your baby without added physical strain. The wrap supports baby’s weight and keeps them snug against you, almost as if they were still part of you. With your care provider’s approval, the Solly Wrap can even be worn right away after a C-section, offering comfort and connection as you heal.
5. It’s mood and milk supply boosting
Babywearing stimulates oxytocin—the “love hormone”—which helps reduce stress, promote bonding, and encourage milk production. Daily skin-to-skin contact has even been linked to lower scores on postpartum depression scales.
Babywearing also offers a convenient way to practice skin-to-skin time. Dressing baby in just their diaper and wearing them against your bare chest can increase prolactin levels and help boost milk supply, while keeping both of you cozy and connected.
6. It improves breastfeeding success
Wearing your baby close keeps them positioned at your chest, where they can smell your scent and naturally root toward the nipple. Babies held skin-to-skin often breastfeed more easily, gain weight more steadily, and give clear cues—such as smacking lips, rooting, or sucking on their hands—that you can respond to quickly.
A 2012 study showed that mothers who practiced babywearing in the first month were twice as likely to still be breastfeeding at five months compared to non-babywearing mothers. And while these benefits are especially meaningful for breastfeeding parents, babywearing supports connection and confidence no matter how you feed—whether that’s nursing, pumping, bottle-feeding, or a combination.
RELATED: 5 Benefits of Babywearing for Breastfeeding
How to Nurse in Your Solly Wrap
7. It promotes healthy digestion
Babywearing also keeps baby upright after feedings, which can promote digestion and reduce spit-up, reflux, and gas pains. The gentle motion of your body and the light pressure of tummy-to-tummy contact can further ease discomfort.
8. It supports baby’s development
Babywearing promotes physical and emotional growth. Upright positioning supports healthy hips, spine, and neck strength, while also helping with digestion and reducing reflux. Bonus: being worn counts as “tummy time,” strengthening neck and back muscles while keeping baby safe and content—a game-changer for households with pets or older kids running around!
9. It minimizes awkward social situations
Whether it’s sick season or your baby has separation anxiety or you’re trying to avoid random strangers pinching baby’s cheeks, babywearing is an easy way to keep your little one close without having any uncomfortable interactions.
10. It improves the wearer’s confidence and responsiveness
When babies are close, parents naturally learn their cues more quickly. Research shows that mothers who babywear are more responsive to their babies—even when not wearing them. This attentiveness builds confidence, helping parents feel more capable and secure in their role.
11. It promotes overall health and safety
Babywearing may reduce the risk of SIDS and flat-head syndrome by supporting upright positioning. It also benefits baby’s respiratory, gastrointestinal, and neurological systems, while providing gentle motion that aids balance and regulation.
12. It enhances maternal health
Carrying your baby has benefits for parents, too. Studies link babywearing with fewer sleep disturbances (18% decrease) and reduced gastrointestinal issues (26%), supporting overall postpartum recovery.
13. It frees up your hands to tend to other tasks
From making lunch to chasing a toddler, babywearing lets you stay close to your little one while keeping your hands free. No stroller to maneuver or car seat to carry—just you and your baby navigating the world together with ease.
14. It encourages language and social development
Babywearing positions your baby at “conversation height”—the perfect spot to watch your expressions and hear your voice. This daily exposure supports early language skills and social development, giving your baby the best seat in the house.
15. It extends closeness into toddlerhood
Babywearing doesn’t stop with newborns. Toddlers can be worn in carriers as well, offering reassurance when the world feels overwhelming. Wearing your toddler helps them return to their “home base,” strengthening your bond as they grow more independent.
Babywearing is your secret to calm and confident parenthood
Truly, there’s no other parenting tool that’s as simple, versatile, and effective. We could go on and on talking about the benefits of babywearing, but there's nothing better than experiencing them for yourself.
