PUBLISH 12/18/25 PARENT Start Small. It Still Counts
Dec 18, 2025
When you’re first learning to babywear, it can feel like you’re supposed to jump right in:
hours of hands-free bliss,
a perfectly content baby,
and a to-do list getting magically done.
• • •
But real life usually starts smaller than that.
The truth is, you don’t need to wear your baby for hours right away. In fact, it’s probably better if you don’t. Like any new experience for you and your baby, easing in gently helps build trust, comfort, and confidence.
Try short sessions at first. Five or ten minutes around the house is plenty. Wear your baby while making a snack, folding laundry, or just walking to the mailbox. Let your body get used to the sensation. Let your baby learn how it feels to rest against you in a new way. These little moments are the building blocks of a strong relationship.
Short stints also give you a chance to check your fit, tweak your positioning, and notice how your body responds without feeling overwhelmed or overstimulated.
Even these brief times together can have powerful benefits. Just 20 minutes of close contact helps regulate your baby’s temperature, heartbeat, and breathing. It boosts bonding and oxytocin. It gives you both a moment of calm in the swirl of daily life.
So take the pressure off.
You’re not behind.
You’re not doing it wrong if your baby only lasts a few minutes at first.
Start small. Start simple. Just start.
It all adds up and it’s more than enough.
