I'm walking through beautiful woodland, hair freshly washed and flowing, as I feel the gentle rhythm of my baby breathing on my chest, deep in slumber. I'm at one with mother nature, I am literally mother earth IRL! 

Then I have my baby and find that the Instagram babywearing fantasy I created for myself and my newborn is far from reality. I have no fucking idea how to fit this wrap, my baby screams every time I try to put her in it, my hair is on day 6 of dry shampoo and I’m left feeling frazzled. I’m as far from ethereal as you can get. I give up. My baby hates it! 

This sound familiar? Okay some reality checks before we start, because babywearing is just absolutely bloody amazing. It's one of the most natural and beautiful ways for us to bond with our babies and on a practical level it's a god send for being able to settle your little one, be hands free and If you have an older child, to be able to comfort both your babies at the same time. But it also takes a bit of knowledge (we're here for that) and a bit of practice.

So here are my top 6 tips for helping your baby (and you!) to relax and be happier in the carrier/sling.

Nothing has ever made me feel as amazingly empowered as motherhood, and nothing has ever made me feel so brutally vulnerable too.

Parenthood undoubtedly changes you, and – regardless of your starting-point – it changes the way you need to work on and continuously care for your mental health.

The greatest lesson I have learnt since becoming a parent – and I should add the immediate caveat that this is still very much a work-in-progress for me – is that it is so important to give yourself grace.

What’s the issue with narrow based carriers?

When it comes to babywearing, we applaud anyone for wanting to wear their baby and be the kind of caregiver that is responsive and close to their baby. Especially during the 4th trimester, when your little one still identifies as being part of you. Holding them often during this time (and after) has lots of positive impact for your babies development, creates a healthy and secure attachment, calms your baby during times of distress and allows you to respond to your babies needs. As well as creating lots of oxytocin between you both, which supports breastfeeding and is called the ‘love hormone’ for a reason. Oooh don’t you just love those snuggles!

World Book Day - Top 5 Books for Mums

Its world book day and lets be honest who has time to read when you have a baby?! Thankfully all of these are available in audio format, so grab your carrier, pushchair, coffee (oh and don’t forget the baby!) and have a stroll and a listen! Or dump that Netflix feeding time habit and pop your ear phones in while you feed at night.

Is babywearing safe?

Although to many of us Parents it seems like babywearing is a new concept, the reality is, that it's been the normal way we have carried our babies for centuries. Long before the pram was invented we used cloth and fabric to carry our babies not just as a mode of transportation and so we could carry out our daily duties, but also to develop our bond, promote breastfeeding and to sooth and support the sleep of our infants. 

Babies are born dependent on their caregivers (unlike other mammals where babies are born further developed). Secure attachment is innate within them from birth, they are reliant on us to provide food, shelter and safety. For the first month of their life they do not understand that they are separate from us and it's even been shown that a need for physical contact is even more important than food for their survival. So babywearing provides so much more than just a means of transportation. 

But as with most things, it's been westernized and over the last 9 years I’ve seen more and more carriers and slings come onto the market. What's great about this, is that there are options for all incomes, body shapes and babies age and size. But unfortunately there are carriers out there that aren’t always fit for purpose and if not worn correctly can be a hazard to your baby.