When I first brought my baby home, it felt as if I had to hold him constantly because he would cry instantly when he was put down into the crib. This became quite exhausting and I remembered that some other moms I know had worn their babies in slings and wraps. I purchased one of these wraps and I have to admit that there are certainly many benefits to wearing a baby.

1. Babies calm down when worn.

Babies love to be touched and hugged and when they are tied to you they feel secure and usually calm down. When our baby is worn by one of us he stays calm for hours and rests much better than he usually does in the crib or bed.

2. Babies are warm.

When I was pregnant it felt like I had a little heater inside me and I was rarely cold. Now that my baby is out I no longer have the little human toaster. It just feels good to wear him again since it is very cold right now.

3. Your hands are free.

When you are wearing a baby your hands are free to do many other things. I usually blog or read the news on my computer, and my husband plays video games as demonstrated in the photo above.

4. You get a good amount of exercise.

Simply walking around with the baby tied to you is pretty good exercise. You could also do squats and stretches.

5. Wearing the baby is more convenient.

Sometimes it is easier to just wear the baby when I have to go somewhere nearby. For example, our bank is just a block away from our apartment, and instead of putting the baby in the stroller I could just wear him and walk.

6. Babywearing is a great way to bond.

When I wear my baby it sort of feels like I am pregnant again with the added bonus of being able to see my baby's face. It is also a great way for the baby to bond with caretakers other than the mother.

If you are interested in wearing your baby, then you should research the many slings, wraps, and carriers out there. The one we have in the picture is the Moby Wrap. This wrap is quite versatile but it has a little bit of a learning curve. Fortunately it has a good set of tutorials online. Another popular product is the Baby Bjorn and that one is a bit easier to use. It is definitely a good idea to try one of these products at a store or a friend's house first to see how much you enjoy wearing your baby and if your baby is a happy camper. Chances are you will both be happier.