Sleep is a top priority for every new parent and for good reason: when your baby sleeps better, everyone in the family benefits. 

At Carifit, we’ve seen firsthand how babywearing and contact naps can transform sleep patterns for both babies and parents. Why is there such a powerful connection between daytime babywearing, contact naps, and improved nighttime sleep? Read on for the science.

 

Babywearing regulates your baby’s sleep cycles

Newborns naturally have immature circadian rhythms, making their sleep patterns unpredictable. However, close physical contact through babywearing helps babies sync their internal clocks by providing essential biological cues such as body warmth, breathing rhythms, and gentle movement. This daily interaction signals to your baby when it's time to rest and when it's time to be awake, promoting longer and more consolidated nighttime sleep stretches. Babies also learn to stack their sleep cycles when worn in a baby carrier and they resettle quickly as their need for close contact is maintained. 

Remember: your baby wants to be close to you. It is their most comforting place to be and the place they feel the most relaxed and safest. Using a baby carrier allows us to meet this need while also keeping moving and being hands-free!

 

It promotes longer, restorative daytime naps

You may have heard the phrase: "sleep begets sleep," and it's especially true for babies. Babywearing helps facilitate longer, deeper naps during the day by closely mimicking the soothing conditions of the womb: the constant gentle motion, warmth, and security. These restorative naps prevent overtiredness, a common culprit behind restless evenings and frequent nighttime wakings.

When babies become overtired, their bodies release increased levels of cortisol – the stress hormone – making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep at night. By supporting better naps through babywearing, you're directly contributing to healthier nighttime sleep. Babywearing is basically a hands-free cuddle so the oxytocin boost is great for our babies but also great for our own mood, energy and stress levels – who doesn’t love a cuddle?

 

It boosts emotional security and attachment

Babies crave closeness and security. Contact naps in a baby carrier fulfil this need for connection, helping to build a secure attachment between you and your little one. Securely attached babies typically feel safer and calmer at bedtime, reducing nighttime anxiety and decreasing the likelihood of frequent awakenings. Put another way: if we really meet their contact need during the daytime then they might not be quite so desperate for it during the night.

 

It encourages natural melatonin production

Babywearing provides the closeness and sensory familiarity babies need to regulate melatonin, the hormone essential for restful sleep. Warmth, skin-to-skin contact, and familiar caregiver scents encourage your baby's natural melatonin production, setting the stage for longer, more restful nighttime sleep periods.

 

It reduces stress for both baby and parent

The calming effect of babywearing extends beyond simply helping your baby nap longer: it also actively lowers stress levels for both baby and parent. Babies pick up on all of our emotions as parents, so if we are calmer and better rested ourselves then this has a big knock on benefit to our babies, creating the ultimate win-win situation.

 

It reduces your baby’s cortisol levels

When your baby is held close, their cortisol (stress hormone) levels naturally decrease, helping them settle more easily at bedtime and remain asleep longer throughout the night.

 

It increases oxytocin levels

Babywearing promotes the release of oxytocin (the "love hormone") in both baby and caregiver. Oxytocin enhances bonding, reduces stress and anxiety, and creates a calmer, happier environment. This hormonal boost can be particularly beneficial in reducing postpartum anxiety and depression, supporting overall family well-being. For other primary caregivers it helps to foster bonds and build care-giver sensitivity, meaning your baby finds more people calming which often takes the pressure off mum.

 

It minimises evening fussiness and overstimulation

Daytime can be overwhelming for young babies. Constant new sensory experiences often lead to overstimulation, resulting in increased fussiness during the evening, commonly known as the "witching hour." Contact naps through babywearing offer a calming space for your little one to decompress, reducing evening irritability and facilitating a smoother bedtime routine. A famous study in the 90s showed that babies worn in carriers around 5pm actually cry 50% less – that if nothing else should make you want to give a baby carrier a try!

Practical tips for integrating babywearing and contact naps into your routine

Here’s how you can maximise the sleep benefits of babywearing:

• Consistency is key: Establish regular babywearing naps to encourage predictable sleep cycles. Babies should be fed and changed prior to a carrier nap and always wear one layer less of clothing than when they are not in the carrier: the carrier and our warmth replace that layer of clothing.

• Use an ergonomic carrier: Choose a baby carrier that supports optimal positioning for safety and comfort. Babies should be worn high, tight and kissable in any baby carrier or sling.

• Afternoon routine: Babywearing naps later in the day can help reduce overstimulation and prepare your baby for nighttime sleep.

At Carifit, we firmly believe in the transformative power of both babywearing and babywearing movement. By integrating contact naps into your daily routine, you’re not only fostering deeper bonds but also actively improving sleep quality for your baby, for yourself, and by extension for your whole family. Give it a try and follow us on Instagram for more babywearing tips.