Infant Carrying in the United States: A Survey of Current Practices, Physical and Mental Health Benefits, and Challenges of Babywearing

Abstract

Supplemental Digital Content is Available in the Text. Background: Parents carry their infants, toddlers, and young children every day. An ergonomic aid to carry (ie, babywearing) has been used for generations by caregivers of young children worldwide. While the benefits of close physical contact for infants are well documented, little is known on how this additional load impacts the health of the caregiver. Objective: An understanding of how babies are carried during their early years, especially how this behavior affects the musculoskeletal and mental health of the caregiver, is the first step to understanding this dynamic and is the objective of this research. Study Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Methods: A survey was designed to provide insight into current practices in the United States and the self-perceived physical and mental health benefits or challenges to babywearing. Results: A total of 3758 babywearing enthusiasts with a high level of experience and frequent babywearing responded. Respondents reported babywearing to allow for multitasking (97%) and for bonding/attachment (87%). Increased babywearing frequency was associated with improvements in fatigue, insomnia, and interest in sex among caregivers. Most respondents had experienced back pain (82%). Urinary incontinence and pelvic organ prolapse appear more prevalent than other research reports, although strong relationships were not found with babywearing. Finally, respondents had mild symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Surprisingly, no relationships were identified between mental health scales and babywearing frequency or experience. Conclusions: Taken together, this data provides a better understanding of physical and mental health of caregivers in the United States, especially as they relate to babywearing. See the Video, Supplemental Digital Content A (available at: http://links.lww.com/JWHPT/A72).