Model Babywearing for Kids
When we adults wear babies, we model for our other children that big people carry little people. Children and grandchildren are more likely to adopt the style of parenting that they received or witnessed when young. For example, our own children have sometimes “worn” their dolls in homemade baby slings because they have witnessed us wearing a new infant so often. The effect of role modeling on children’s views of the mother-infant relationship was brought home to us one day when our then six-year-old daughter, Hayden, was asked by her teacher to draw a mother and baby. She drew the two as essentially one person. She recognized that, at least in the early months, mothers wear babies, and the two are inseparable.
Mommy’s Little Helper
Let your older sibling see you babywearing as much as possible. You may also get them a small version of the baby carrier you use, and let them model you with a favorite doll or stuffed animal. This can be helpful in fostering a “Mommy’s Little Helper” mentality in your child. As your infant gets older, they will be more likely to want to help in day-to-day care of the younger child.
