Babywearing has been practised for thousands of years, with deep cultural roots around the world. It allows caregivers to keep their babies close, safe, and warm while staying mobile. Beyond convenience, babywearing offers many benefits—enhancing bonding, reducing crying, and promoting healthy development. But did you know it can also improve your baby’s sleep? Here are three reasons why babywearing can help your baby rest better.

ee reasons why babywearing may be the solution to improving your baby’s sleep:

1. Close contact promotes a sense of security:

Babies thrive on physical closeness, especially in their early months. When you carry your baby in a sling or carrier, they feel your warmth, heartbeat, and movement—elements that mimic the sensations of being in the womb. This close contact helps them feel secure and safe, reducing stress and promoting a calm, relaxed state. Babies who feel secure tend to settle faster and sleep more soundly, as they aren't experiencing the anxiety that comes with feeling alone or overstimulated.

Babywearing offers a simple way to provide that sense of security throughout the day, which can lead to better naps and even more restful sleep at night.

2. Helps regulate circadian rhythms:

One of the key reasons babies struggle with sleep is their inability to distinguish between night and day. Babywearing can help babies begin to understand these differences. Regular close contact, especially skin-to-skin, helps regulate your baby’s body temperature, stress levels, and most importantly, their circadian rhythms.

When babies are worn during the day, they are exposed to natural light, movement, and changes in the environment. This helps them recognize daytime cues, while the close contact supports longer, more restful naps. As a result, they begin to understand the difference between daytime activity and nighttime rest, leading to a more regular sleep schedule overall.

3. Supports better sleep by reducing overstimulation:

Babies are sensitive to their environment, and overstimulation can lead to fussiness, crying, and disrupted sleep. The world is full of new sights, sounds, and experiences that can easily overwhelm them. When a baby is overstimulated, it can be hard for them to wind down and fall asleep, resulting in overtiredness and difficulty staying asleep.

Babywearing provides a cocoon-like environment that shields your baby from excessive stimuli. In a sling, they are close to you, hearing your voice, feeling your movements, and staying calm. This gentle, predictable environment helps them relax and drift off to sleep more easily, without the distractions of the outside world.

Babywearing isn’t just convenient for parents—it’s a powerful tool for improving your baby’s sleep. By offering comfort, regulating their circadian rhythms, and protecting them from overstimulation, you are helping your baby develop healthy sleep patterns. Whether for daytime naps or a comforting bedtime routine, babywearing can support better rest for your little one.

References:

Charpak, N., Ruiz-Peláez, J.G. and Figueroa de Calume, Z. (2001) ‘Kangaroo Mother Care and Neonatal Outcomes’, *Pediatrics*, 108(3), pp. 597–607.

Rivkees, S.A. (2003) ‘Developing Circadian Rhythmicity in Infants’, *Pediatrics*, 112(2), pp. 373–381.