Most parents know about the importance of skin-to-skin contact right after birth; it can be instinctive and is widely encouraged. But as weeks go by, the benefits of closeness are often overlooked and not promoted enough. During the fourth trimester, your baby is still adjusting to life outside the womb. This world is louder, brighter and much cooler. Staying close helps your baby feel safe while adapting to this new environment.

Physiologically, your baby’s body is still learning how to self-regulate. Holding your baby close helps their nervous system feel safe and secure, which in turn helps keep their heart rate, breathing, temperature and stress hormones steady.

“Sometimes babies are labelled as ‘needy,’ but they’re really just looking for safety,”
says Marie Louise. “They know your smell, your voice, your heartbeat. That’s their
comfort zone.”

When your baby feels safe in your arms, your body responds, too. Closeness and touch
help release oxytocin in both a baby and their parent. Oxytocin supports bonding, lowers stress, can support milk let-down if breastfeeding, and generally helps everyone feel calmer and more connected.

A baby’s senses are powerful tools for bonding. Research shows that babies turn
toward their mother’s scent from a very young age and a gentle touch supports
healthy brain development.

From birth, your baby can recognize you through smell. The scent of your skin, your
breastmilk, and even the natural oils around the nipple area all act like tiny signposts
for your baby, guiding them towards comfort and food. When you keep your
baby close, they are enveloped in your familiar smell, and this, too, helps reduce stress and support bonding.

A soft, responsive touch also sends important signals to the brain. When babies are held,
cuddled and gently rocked, this actively shapes the areas of their brain involved in emotional regulation. Over time, these repeated experiences teach your baby: “When I feel unsettled, someone comes. I am safe. I am cared for.”

Babies are hardwired to be close to their parent and will often let you know when they need close contact. Yet this can be difficult and exhausting for new parents—even more so when they have other children. Babywearing offers the best of both worlds: closeness for the baby and mobility for the parent.

“It’s part of ancient human culture,” says Marie Louise. “It helps babies feel safe and
supported while protecting parents’ posture and easing back strain.”

Regulation: The warmth of your body helps your baby maintain a stable temperature.
Your movements and breathing patterns act as a gentle guide for their own, helping
them to regulate more smoothly.

The developing brain: The gentle motion, changes in position, and secure containment in a carrier provide rich sensory input. This supports your baby’s vestibular system (the part of the inner ear that helps with balance and spatial
awareness) and can contribute to healthy brain development.

Oxytocin and bonding: Carrying your baby close to your chest, where you can instinctively stroke, kiss and talk to them, encourages more frequent touch and eye contact. This boosts oxytocin for both of you, supporting bonding and lowering stress.

Parental well-being: Babywearing can help you feel more responsive and in tune
with your baby while still being able to move around, care for siblings, or simply make a cup of tea. For many parents, that sense of “I can comfort my baby and still get on with my day” is incredibly reassuring.

• Hold your baby snug and secure so they are not able to slump

• Your baby’s face should always be visible and close enough to kiss.

• Maintain an upright position for your baby with their chin off their chest.

• Support your baby’s back to ensure clear airways.

When babywearing is practiced safely and comfortably, it can be a beautiful way to
support bonding, communication and healthy development, all while giving parents
the freedom to move with confidence.