Many parents are now forgoing bulky prams to transport their precious cargo with the help of modern-designed baby slings. Once thought of as something only women in developing countries used, slings are now gaining popularity in affluent Western countries too.
Baby slings have been used by women around the world for thousands of years. Australian indigenous women wore their babies on their backs in a pouch fashioned from soft bark.
Allowing the mother’s arms to be free enabled her to fulfill her daily activities. It also served to keep baby in a safe place, high off the ground, away from predators or biting insects.
But most importantly, it gave the developing baby more time to be “in arms,” which is paramount to ensuring a close bond with the primary caregiver. Being so close, the caregiver can understand the baby’s nonverbal cues, gestures, and cries, allowing her to better meet the needs of her baby.
