Baby wearing provides contact pressure, motion, pleasure, warmth, security, and sound similar to the womb that the newborn's nervous system requires.

Infants who are carried and can see and hear their caregivers have decreased levels of stress hormones circulating through their bodies.

Being carried helps the baby develop balance and trunk and head control.

A randomized controlled study reported in Pediatrics showed that baby wearing reduces crying and fussiness 43% during the day and 51% at night.

Babies who are touched and cuddled develop physically and mentally at a faster rate and have a lower mortality rate than babies who are given only maintenance care. In fact, new studies of premies show that "kangaroo" care helps the baby develop faster and lowers mortality of premature infants.

Babies in other cultures who are carried frequently cry less, kick, arch and stiffen less, smile more, spit up less, have less colic, and bond better than babies who are reared in mechanical devices.

Babies who are worn develop into more self-reliant toddlers and young children because their dependency needs have been met at an early age.

Baby wearing promotes the bonding process because caregivers learn the baby's cues quickly and efficiently. Breastfeeding is aided because feeding cues can be responded to immediately.

Baby wearing helps to integrate a new baby into the life of the family, easing the transition for siblings.

Baby wearing has evolved across cultures and over the centuries as a loving, easy, and efficient way to parent.