Babywearing: Calm amidst the chaos

This article was first published in the Natural Parent Magazine, Issue 59, 2025. This beautiful artwork of a babywearing father and child is by Ellie Foster - and here with permission.

The world can be a constant source of distraction, disruption, and distress. Once we become responsible for small humans, the increase in chaos appears exponential. Some families seem to thrive on the noise and turmoil; others can struggle to find their feet in the commotion. For some, it depends on the day, or even the hour, as to how they manage. For many of us, babywearing helps us to simultaneously find our parenting groove whilst managing our daily lives.

Raising a family can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding times of our lives, as we learn how to attend to our own health and wellbeing, plus that of those around us. At times, it can seem an impossibility that we will all make it through the day with our spirits intact.

Sometimes, families seek advice to find tools to help them manage this chaos. Many prefer tailored guidance that is unique to them, based on their family circumstances, values, and what matters to them (1). Frequently, holding our babies close is paramount to the health and wellbeing of the whole family, where babywearing becomes a necessity, not just a practicality.

Let the carrier take the load

There is nothing quite like the change in expression of a distressed caregiver’s body, the moment their baby settles in a well-fitted, comfortable carrier on their chest. The load seems to lift from their shoulders, the tension seems to melt away from their face, and somehow, they seem to be able to breathe. Things that they were previously struggling to tolerate, like loud noises or bright lights, appear to move further into the background like a distant radio (2).

Arms wrap around their child and their body goes into comfort mode. They invariably start to gently rock back and forth, softly croon, pat their child’s back, and smooch the top of their child’s head.

Tasks that previously seemed unthinkable now become imaginable, even with a baby along for the ride. Shopping, walking the dog, exercising, housework, errands and chores, cuppa catchups, meal preparation, laundry, work, all now possible if the carer wishes. Sometimes, it is just the mere impression, however fleeting, that the day might be endured regardless of what it brings.

This human closeness also helps our children be calm, as babies who are carried fuss and cry less (5,6). Their relief at being held, especially by a collected adult, can also be unmistakeable. The child recognises the scent of their special adult, feels the warmth of their embrace, and hears their voice, breath, and heartbeat. They relax and meld into the body of the caregiver, their limbs still, and their faces release their distress as they quieten and yield to calm.

As they snuggle into the chest of their caregiver, the child is reassured they are safe, seen, and held. The presence of their carer’s body supports regulation of breathing, heart rate and temperature, especially helpful in children who are unwell or premature. The child does not need to worry if someone will respond to their needs, and they can concentrate on healing, growth, and development.

Sometimes, a protective bubble seems to develop around the babywearing pair. They appear to draw their energy inward, wrap themselves in a peaceful cocoon and block out the bustle of the world as they comfort each other.

Soothe and settle

Physical proximity supports our human functioning and optimises health and wellbeing (6). This closeness helps to soothe both carer and child, by tapping into the natural hormonal cascades that promote wellbeing (3). Babywearing offers countless ways to activate this flow of innate biological support.

Closeness encourages pain-relieving and calming effects from parasympathetic nervous system activation. The feel-good hormone oxytocin is implicated in many of these physiological responses, which helps the body to grow and heal, as well as other hormones such as dopamine and serotonin (5).

Oxytocin is a powerful anti-stress and feel-good hormone, which facilitates wellbeing, social interaction, growth, and healing. The parasympathetic nervous system, these hormonal cascades and the ‘rest and digest’ they bring can be activated by many things, including pressure receptors in our bodies. Oxytocin can be released in response to touch, warmth, smell, sound, positive thoughts, and interactions (3,5).

Stressors trigger the sympathetic nervous system and a ‘fight, flight or freeze’ response, which is considered adaptive and useful in the short-term. Oxytocin is known to have anti-stress effects, including reduction of cortisol and other hormones released in response to stress (3). When we hold our child close, both bodies have higher levels of oxytocin, which helps to mediate the impact, and reduce levels, of cortisol, the stress hormone (3).

Many children find great comfort in being held and easily nap when in the carrier. Many caregivers also find they are less stressed and more at ease when they are close to their child. It is additionally helpful when they can get on with life and manage their days, also supporting reduced cortisol levels in their bodies.

Holding a baby in a carrier also allows caregivers to continue activities that connect them to their identity and help to release endorphins. Endorphins are hormones released in response to pleasurable activities such as exercise, massage, eating, and socialising which also help to relieve pain, reduce stress, and improve sense of wellbeing and calm (4).

Babywearing safety

Babywearing must first and foremost be safe for both wearer and child. Two approaches to safe babywearing principles are described below, which can assist you to check your carry is safe.

The TICKS acronym (7):

• Tight – keep carriers tight enough to hug your baby close to you.

• In view always – ensure you can see your baby’s face by simply glancing down.

• Close enough to kiss – keep your baby’s head as close to your chin as is comfortable.

• Keep chin off the chest – at least a finger width space under your baby’s chin.

• Supported back – baby is upright, with back supported in its natural position, and their tummy and chest against you.

The Babywearing Practice SAFE acronym (8):

• Secure – baby is securely attached to the caregiver’s body.

• Airways – baby is upright, head is neutral, mouth and nose are unobstructed, chin is off chest.

• Firm – baby is firmly held in the carrier, with no gaps between baby, caregiver’s body, or carrier.

• Eyeline – baby is in view, and you can see them easily.

Keep calm and carry on

Human infants need to be close to their caregivers, this closeness offering significant benefits to the pair. Babywearing can be an essential tool to facilitate physical contact and help calm both child and caregiver. And when one needs two hands to keep managing all the daily tasks, activities, and self-care requirements, what better way to do both simultaneously than by holding your child on your chest in a carrier (5).

Keep calm and carry on. Shield yourselves with a babywearing bubble, then go forth amidst the chaos with your child snuggled close, knowing you are both supported to remain as calm and relaxed as you can be. You’ve got this!

Kato x

References

1.       The NDC Institute, Home of Possums, 2025, https://ndcinstitute.au/ 

2.       Douglas, P 2019, The Discontented Little Baby Book, University of Queensland Press, St Lucia.

3.       Uvnas-Moberg, K, & Petersson, M 2005, ‘Oxytocin, a mediator of anti-stress, well-being, social interaction, growth, and healing’, Zeitschrift fur Psychosomatische Medizin und Psychotherapie, vol. 51, no. 1, pp. 57-80. https://doi.org/10.13109/zptm.2005.51.1.57

4.       Mannem, M, Mehta, TR, Murala, S, & Bollu, PC, 2022, ’Endorphins’. In: Bollu, PC (eds) Neurochemistry in Clinical Practice. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-07897-2_12

5.       Reynolds-Miller, RL 2016, ‘Potential therapeutic benefits of babywearing’, Creative Nursing, 22(1), 17-23. http://dx.doi.org/10.1891/1078-4535.22.1.17

6.       The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine 2023, Physiologic Infant Care: Supporting Breastfeeding, Sleep and Wellbeing, The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine, accessed 1 July 2025, <https://abm.memberclicks.net/assets/PatientHandouts/English_ABM_Physiologic%20Infant%20Care%20Handout_Protected.pdf>

7.       The UK Sling Consortium, Baby Sling Safety – the TICKS rule for safe babywearing, https://babyslingsafety.co.uk/ 

8.       The Babywearing Practice, SAFE babywearing, https://www.sproutandme.com.au/safe-babywearing-guidelines