When in Doubt, Move
Dec 04, 2025
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You finally got the carrier on. Baby is snuggled happily on your chest. You’re feeling proud, maybe even a little triumphant, and then… the fussing starts.
What gives?
While being close to you is soothing, stillness can be confusing for babies. Think about their experience in the womb: constant motion, all day long. Every step you took, every shift and sway, was part of their baseline. Movement was the norm - and if you stopped moving, they’d create some of their own (remember all those kicks while you were trying to fall asleep?)!
So when you’re standing still, especially while learning to babywear and still working out your rhythm, they might get a little restless. That’s not a sign you’re doing anything wrong, but you and baby might both feel better if you add in a little movement.
If your baby gets fussy while babywearing, try walking with purpose.
Wander. Pick a direction and go. Pace the hallway. Do a lap around the kitchen. If the weather’s decent, step outside and walk up and down the block. The fresh air might help you both reset.
Movement activates your baby’s vestibular system, the part of the brain responsible for balance and spatial orientation. This system is still developing, and movement helps organize and soothe it. In fact, rhythmic motion is one of the fastest ways to calm a dysregulated nervous system, in babies and adults alike.
So go ahead: sway, bounce, walk, you can even squat if you feel like getting in a workout.
You’re building trust, supporting your baby’s development, and gaining confidence with every step.
Bonus: moving helps you regulate, too.
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