Slings and baby carriers can hardly be called new baby gadgets since they have been used in many cultures around the world for thousands of years. However, in today's world, they are sometimes perceived as new—or very old—and in any case not good for your baby's health. For decades now, we have been taught to believe that holding babies too much spoils them, even though in much of the rest of the world babies are and always have been carried or worn in a sling all day until they could walk. Recent research confirms that carrying infants develops their intelligence and their capacity for trust, affection, intimacy, love, and happiness. Intriguingly, research shows that the countries that are the least violent are the countries where babies are constantly carried or worn on the body of the mother or caregiver.

Beloved Burden shows that historically, and in a worldwide perspective, not carrying our babies is the exception. This abundantly illustrated book gives examples from around the world.

176 Pages, 8.5 x 10.5 in, 170 illus.