Babywearing: A Powerful Intervention
The Study
Summary of “Babywearing in the NICU: An Intervention for Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome”
Williams, Lela Rankin PhD; Gebler-Wolfe, Molly LMSW; Grisham, Lisa M. NNP-BC; Bader, M. Y. MD. “Babywearing” in the NICU: An Intervention for Infants With Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome. Advances in Neonatal Care 20(6):p 440-449, December 2020. | DOI: 10.1097/ANC.0000000000000788 Summary in Plain English:
Every 15 minutes, a baby in the U.S. is born showing signs of withdrawal from drugs their mother used during pregnancy. This is called Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS). These babies often cry a lot, shake, struggle to eat or sleep, and need extra care in the hospital. Treating them with medicine like morphine or methadone can be expensive and may keep them in the hospital longer.
Doctors are now learning that holding babies close—especially skin-to-skin—is a powerful way to help. It can calm their heart rate, help them breathe better, and reduce pain. This simple touch also helps babies feel safe and bond with their caregivers.
Babywearing, which means carrying the baby in a wrap or sling, gives comfort while freeing the caregiver’s hands. This study shows that babywearing can help babies with NAS feel more secure and recover faster. It’s a gentle, low-cost way to support babies and parents—especially important when moms may be feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
The article highlights that parents themselves are part of the treatment, and their touch can help heal. Doctors and nurses in the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) are being encouraged to teach families about babywearing and skin-to-skin care as first steps before using medicine.
What the Study Looked At
This study wanted to find out if babywearing—carrying a baby close to your body using a cloth carrier—can help calm babies with NAS, just like skin-to-skin contact does. The researchers checked to see if heart rates (a sign of stress or calm) went down for both the baby and the person doing the babywearing.
What They Did
Babies with NAS were carried for at least an hour each day during their stay in the NICU (a special hospital unit for sick or fragile babies). A parent or close family member carried the baby when possible. If no family was available, a nurse or trained helper did the babywearing. The team followed safety rules to make sure babies were carried the right way and stayed safe and healthy.
Who Was Involved
Fifteen babies and their families took part. Some babies were part of a special program that let parents stay in the hospital room with them, while others got regular treatment using medicine. Most babies were full-term and about 6 out of 10 were given morphine to help with withdrawal. Parents were trained on how to safely use the baby carriers.
How They Measured It
Researchers measured heart rates before, during, and after babywearing. They also made sure babies were calm, not hungry, and had no distractions around when collecting the data. The idea was to see if being carried helped babies—and caregivers—feel more relaxed.
What the Study Found
The study showed that babywearing helped calm both babies with NAS and the people holding them. When babies were worn in a cloth carrier, their heart rates went down, which is a sign they felt more relaxed. This was especially true when the parent was the one wearing the baby.
The people carrying the babies—like parents, nurses, or volunteers—also had lower heart rates, showing that babywearing helped them feel calmer too, even if they were walking around.
Even though the change in heart rate might seem small, doing this a few times a day could add up to a lot less stress for the baby over time.
Why This Matters
Babies with NAS usually get medicine like morphine to help with withdrawal. But medicine means longer hospital stays.
Babywearing is simple, cheap, and doesn’t involve medicine.
It gives parents a way to bond with their babies, even in a busy, loud NICU.
Parents with substance use struggles might especially benefit from feeling closer and more connected to their baby.
What’s Next
Researchers say we need more studies with more families. They also want to study:
How long the calming effects of babywearing last
How it affects baby development over time
Whether it changes stress hormones like cortisol or bonding hormones like oxytocin
Takeaway
Babywearing is a promising, easy way to comfort babies with NAS and support their caregivers. Hospitals can start using it more by:
Giving out baby carriers
Teaching parents and nurses how to use them safely
Making babywearing a regular part of NICU care
