New Durham University Study Highlights Significant Mental Health and Developmental Benefits of Adult-Worn Slings and Carriers
A new study conducted by Durham University’s Infancy & Sleep Centre has revealed the wide-ranging benefits of using adult-worn slings and carriers (AWSC) for both maternal mental wellbeing and infant development.
Maternal Mental Health Boost
The research shows that using AWSC can reduce parental anxiety, increase confidence and responsiveness, and improve maternal mental health—particularly among first-time mothers.
Parents reported that slings and carriers helped facilitate responsive infant caregiving, with half citing bonding and attachment as the primary motivation for use. Three studies within the review provided direct evidence of how AWSC use supports secure attachment and healthy socio-emotional development, especially among adolescent mothers.
Parents also shared that AWSC use helped reduce infant crying and enabled them to manage daily activities more easily, including caring for other children, performing household tasks, and even returning to work. In several cases, slings and carriers supported postpartum recovery and promoted independent caregiving for mothers with physical disabilities.
Benefits for Baby Health and Development
The study also highlighted positive effects on infant physiology, cognitive and language development. AWSC use facilitates skin-to-skin contact, which is particularly beneficial for premature and low-birthweight babies and is known to improve a range of health outcomes.
Carrying infants promotes breastfeeding, supports healthy hip and spine development, and provides enriched opportunities for language exposure, rhythm, and musicality. When choosing AWSC, parents were influenced by recommendations to use carriers for issues such as colic, along with their own motivations and safety considerations.
Growing Industry, Growing Need for Guidance
The UK sling and carrier market continues to expand, growing at an estimated 5–10% per year. According to the data, 96% of parents had used an AWSC for reasons including mobility, bonding, soothing, and the ability to remain hands-free. However, the study notes that manufacturers often provide limited safety guidance, and many parents were unaware of specialist support such as sling libraries.
Carifit, a leading platform for safe, effective baby-carrying education, remains committed to improving parental confidence and knowledge. Carifit can serve as an important resource for families looking to use slings and carriers safely and comfortably.
 logo final copy.png)
- Significant mental health benefits of adult-worn slings - 9th December 2025
- Dance helps improve mobility for those living with Parkinson’s - 9th December 2025
- Polio conquered by vaccines (1955) - 28th November 2025
