My Nigerian husband always encouraged me to carry our son on my back. To tell you the truth first I thought I'd rather just hold him so I can see him. Then he became bigger and heavier and of course I couln'd keep up. So I decided to give it a go. Across Africa women can be seen carrying sleeping or sometimes giggling babies on their backs, anyway. The babies move to the sway of their mothers' hips, synchronised throughout the day, bending with them as they collect water or sweep the floor and rising again when the women stop to rest.
My little experiment showed me straight away that my life will become much easier this way. My baby enjoyed being close to me and I got chance to do some housework as well. I think carrying my baby on my back strengthen the relationship between us. And recent studies show that babies who are carried develop the muscles for sitting, standing and walking sooner. This is because when a baby is carried, her body moves naturally with the movement of the parent, helping her to keep her muscular and cardiovascular systems active. They also found that babies who are carried have increased brain function over babies who lie down all day. Babies who are carried, even for a few extra hours a day, become less clingy because they feel confident and secure, and surprisingly they often initiate separation from their mother sooner because their need to have comfort and closeness is met. Quite the opposite of being 'spoilt,' they are fulfilled.
