About ourselves: History of carrying

To carry a baby is as old as the history of the human race.

Babies are born with a requirement for nearness. In the case of our nearest relations, the apes, the young animal holds himself firmly to the mother with his hands and feet and is carried round by her permanently. Humans lost their fur between 4 and 5 million years ago. Despite this long period, babies are still born with gripping hands and feet so that they can hold tight onto the mother's "fur". This "knowledge" and feeling is still shared by many primitive people, who therefore often carry their babies around with them.

In our cultural circles, carrying has become "unfashionable" due to changes in circumstances through the ages. Babies have been chauffeured around in prams or kept in cots for over one hundred years. During the Seventies, a change slowly took place back to the roots of nearness and security. Mothers are now starting to breast-feed their babies more often and to carry them next to their bodies again. During carrying, the child smells and hears its mother or father. The close bodily contact gives it a feeling of security, and the gentle movements quieten it. The child can either make visual contact with the parents, or take notice of its environment as it wishes. If it is tired, it can go to sleep safely and securely. The more securely a baby is bonded to its mother and to its father, the quicker it is ready to start relationships with and bonding to other people. Carrying in a sling guarantees the baby the nearness it wants and needs.