From the moment they enter the world, human babies depend on others in a way that is unmatched across most species.

Born relatively helpless, infants rely on caregivers not just for food and safety, but for something equally essential: touch. More than a simple comfort, physical closeness plays a powerful role in shaping a child’s development and the relationship they build with their caregivers.

With babywearing — using slings, wraps or structured carriers — caregivers can keep their babies close while going about daily activities.

Babywearing is not a new trend. It is an ancient practice found across cultures for thousands of years. What is new, however, is the growing scientific interest in its benefits.

The power of touch

Touch is the first sense to develop in humans, and by birth it is already highly refined. For newborns, being held is not a luxury; it is a biological necessity. When nestled against a caregiver’s body, babies feel regulated and secure. Their bodies relax, their heart rates stabilize and they begin learning the rhythms of the person caring for them.

This closeness doesn’t just affect infants. It transforms caregivers as well. Physical contact, especially skin-to-skin contact, triggers the release of oxytocin, often called the “bonding hormone.”

Physical closeness strengthens emotional connections, reduces stress and can even lower the risk of postpartum depression. In other words, holding your baby doesn’t just feel good, it actively builds the relationship in both directions.

Attuning to your baby

Close physical contact also helps caregivers become more attuned to their babies. When a baby is nearby, resting on a chest or carried against the body, it becomes easier to notice subtle signals: a shift in breathing, a small movement or the first signs of hunger or fatigue.

This sensitivity improves responsiveness, one of the key ingredients of healthy attachment.

Decades of developmental research show that responsive caregiving — where adults consistently meet an infant’s needs — supports emotional security and long-term well-being. Physical closeness makes that responsiveness easier and more intuitive.

Decline of contact in western parenting

Babywearing emerged as a deeply rooted evolutionary adaptation, and its development is tightly linked to the rise of humans walking upright on two feet. Historically, babies spent most of their time in close contact with caregivers.

In many cultures today, infants are still carried or held for the majority of the day. By contrast, in many western societies, babies may only be in direct physical contact with caregivers about 18 per cent of the time.

Modern parenting tools — like such as strollers, cribs, swings and car seats — offer convenience and safety, but they also create distance. While these devices are often necessary, they can unintentionally reduce opportunities for interaction and bonding.

This shift raises an important question: Where these devices are frequently used, can we bring some of that closeness back into everyday life in a practical way?

Skin-to-skin: a powerful beginning

One well-established approach is skin-to-skin care, sometimes called “kangaroo care.” This involves placing a newborn directly against a caregiver’s bare chest. Initially developed for premature infants as an alternative to incubators, it has since become a widely recommended practice for all babies.

Research shows that skin-to-skin care helps regulate infants’ temperature and heart rate, reduces stress and pain, improves breastfeeding success and strengthens parent–child bonding. It also benefits caregivers by improving mood and reducing anxiety.

Health organizations and pediatric experts now recommend initiating skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth and continuing it regularly throughout infancy.

Babywearing research

While skin-to-skin care is often practiced in quiet, private moments, babywearing offers a way to maintain closeness throughout the day. Like skin-to-skin contact, babywearing allows infants to remain in close proximity to caregivers.

Even with clothing between them, the physical closeness appears to promote many of the same positive outcomes.

Although research on babywearing is still emerging, early findings are promising. Studies suggest that babies who are carried more frequently tend to cry less and are calmer, particularly during the evening hours. They may also show more vocalizations and improved early communication.

For caregivers, babywearing has been linked to increased responsiveness and more positive interactions. Being physically close allows parents to pick up on cues more quickly and respond in real time.

Some studies even suggest that babywearing supports secure attachment — the deep sense of trust that develops when a baby consistently feels safe and understood.

Interestingly, the benefits can extend beyond emotional bonding. In one study involving infants experiencing opioid withdrawal symptoms after birth, being carried led to significant reductions in heart rate for both babies and caregivers, indicating a calming physiological effect.

Ongoing study with parents

In an ongoing study funded by Brain Canada, (a foundation focused on advancing brain research), colleagues and I are now exploring whether babywearing could be especially helpful for parents facing anxiety or depression during the pregnancy.

Because these conditions can make it harder to engage with a baby’s needs, a simple tool that promotes closeness and responsiveness could have a meaningful impact.

Although the study is still ongoing , the initial findings are encouraging. Mothers report feeling more attentive and more engaged with their babies when using a carrier. Often, they also choose to continue babywearing after the end of the study, suggesting it is both practical and rewarding.

Adaptable parenting approach

One of the most exciting aspects of babywearing is its accessibility. Unlike many parenting interventions, it is relatively inexpensive, easy to learn and adaptable to different lifestyles. It can be used by mothers, fathers and other caregivers in a wide variety of settings.

If you’re curious about how skin-to-skin contact and babywearing can support your baby’s development and strengthen your bond, there are great resources to learn more.

The Baby Carrier Industry Alliance is a trade organization dedicated to babywearing professionals. It provides some research, education and babywearing support resources. There are also local networks that offer virtual resources and workshops as well as lending libraries.

Québec-based non-profit organization the Initiative nationale pour le peau à peau et le portage des enfants (National initiative for babywearing and skin-to-skin contact) has a mission of promoting safe babywearing and skin-to-skin contact by making these practices accessible for all families. It also offers French-language resources.

Rethinking closeness

Closeness matters. While modern life offers many tools designed to make parenting easier, it’s worth remembering that one of the most powerful supports for a baby’s development is also one of the simplest: being held close.

Whether through skin-to-skin contact in the early days or babywearing as part of daily routines, physical connection helps build the foundation of a strong, responsive relationship.

And that foundation, in turn, supports a child’s emotional, social and even biological development in lasting ways.