History

I've been asked to write the history of babywearing for the blog, but I have to confess, I'm finding it difficult when so many other bloggers have done such a great job.

Flight into Egypt fresco by Giotto di Bondone in the north transept of the Lower Church of San Francesco in Assisi, 1310s. 

According to my research, it seems that babies have been held close to their mothers in carriers probably since humans started having babies.  So... a long time. 

Babywearing in Ancient Egypt

Next time you're out and another mother says "I wish they had those when I was having babies..." just smile and nod because you know otherwise (or just go ahead and educate her in the care of infants in traditional societies, it's your call).  Most of these moms don't know that they did have access to quality baby carriers, they just didn't have the internet, and we all know how much easier that has made things in the last decade or two, but I digress.  Not being connected to the interwebs didn't stop everyone though, there were still pioneering women out there trying to get the word out.  Just check out this clip, it's a television segment from 1963, Mrs. Peterson is talking about babytoting around the world...

Go Mrs. Peterson

Here is a slideshow of babies being worn in traditional cultures around the world.  

Here is a list of specific carriers worn in different parts of the world.  This list is an excerpt taken from http://www.slingbabies.co.nz/Site/History_2.ashx

• For instance Mexican people use the Rebozo, which is a square of woven cloth tied over one shoulder with baby usually on the back- sometimes called a Chal, depending on the length.
• Peruvians have a Manta which sits over both shoulders like a cape, and baby sits high on mother's back. 
• Guatemalans use Parraje- similar to a Rebozo.
• European mothers used a mixture of pouches, wraps and short cloth carriers.
• Alaskan/Canadian people have the Amauti which is a very thick arctic jacket with a baby 'pocket' in the back, baby even fits under the over-sized hood!
• Papua New Guinea mothers use a Bilum- a net bag held at the forehead with baby hanging at the back (very strong necks!) 
• Indonesian mothers use a Selendang which is a long ornate wrap.
• Aboriginal mothers used to keep their babies in carriers made of bark, similar to the cradleboards used by Native Americans but without the cloth covering. 
• Asian mothers use a variety of carriers including Mei-tai /Hmong/ Bei(China), Onbuhimo(Japan), Podaegi (Korea) plus many use a 'carrier' of long straps which go under baby's armpits and thighs for back carries. 
• Welsh mothers used to wear their babies in warm shawls, called 'Siol Fagu' (nursing shaw). 
• Ethiopian mothers use a blanket with top straps, similar to the Onbuhimo. 
• African mothers use a 'Khanga' which is a short-ish piece of cloth tied around the torso, so baby sits low on the back. 
• Maori women carried their babies in a cloth inside their cloaks, or in a flax Pikau (backpack).