10 ways to be productive when your baby just wants to be held

It helps soothe babies more easily

Babies benefit from being in a carrier not only because worn babies cry less but also because a soothed baby means they’re more likely to catch a much-needed nap. Rachel Zeilic, VP of Influencer Marketing at Who What Wear and Creative Director for fashion line Marjoelle , wore her son, August, in his early days for that reason. “It was a GREAT method to help him get to sleep,” she says.

Sleep aside, decreased crying makes a huge difference in your busy days, even if your baby is super easygoing and loves carrier time, like that of Emmy-winning TV host, author and mama of four, Daphne Oz, whose youngest, Giovanna Ines (Gigi), is 4-months-old. “Gigi has always loved to be held. She’s a very big baby, so babywearing is essential to give my arms a break. She loves to be snuggled as much as possible, and you can tell [being in her carrier] immediately soothes her. Sometimes she’ll drift off or just rest her head on my chest and gaze around.”

Mobilizing is a snap

Like so many mamas, Zeilic needed to get out of the house frequently in those first few weeks for doctor appointments, but she found the sheer magnitude of getting out and getting the hang of a stroller pretty intimidating. Instead, she relied on her Baby Carrier Free and was out and about quickly after delivery. “We left the house from day one and we made a point every day of walking around the neighborhood,” she says. “It was much more feasible [for me] than putting him in the stroller and going for a long walk.”

Ariel Kaye, the CEO and founder of Parachute , was a big fan of babywearing with her now 11-month-old daughter Lou for the same reason. “Especially as I started to get more comfortable getting out of the house, what started as really short walks and gradually got longer,” she says.

Carriers are especially friendly for city-dwelling mamas

Having a baby while living in a big city can be a challenge, but babywearing makes going about your day so much more simple. That’s how Ranji Jacques, Fashion Director at Condé Nast, gets around New York City. “Everyone can agree that a baby carrier is a must-have, especially if you’re in an urban area,” says the mom of two to 3-year-old Diego and 1-year-old Lucienne. Why? Because steep curbs and storefront steps no longer pose a deterrent, and (bonus!) you can keep germ-covered surfaces out of baby’s reach.

Take meetings with baby in tow

If you need to phone into the office or are a permanent part of the growing work-from-home mama population, strapping on baby allows you to talk shop and spend time with your little one. “I’ve honestly gotten so many conference calls and deals done with August in the carrier,” says Zeilic.

So did Kaye, who would tote her daughter Lou in her BABYBJÖRN Baby Carrier Free on walks to Parachute’s nearby brick-and-mortar store as not only a way of getting outside, but also checking in with work, too.

Tackle housework + make  errands easier (and feasible)

When you’ve got a new baby at home, getting the dishes done or folding a basket of (clean!) laundry is a huge accomplishment. But using the carrier can help you tick off your to-do list while spending time with your newborn. “Babywearing really helped me—like it made all of my everyday [tasks] so much easier,” says Kaye, because it gave her back her much-needed set of hands.

Oz agrees that wearing her daughter has been a boon to her productivity. “I try to bring Gigi along whenever I can, since my time at home can be limited and [I’m] often stretched thin trying to get everything in order. She comes along to the market and for coffee and on other errands—and I love to use a carrier in the house so I can keep her with me while I’m heading from room to room putting things in order.”

It can provide for everyday teaching moments

When you’re going about your daily tasks, babywearing provides a front row seat to turn it into an educational experience for the two of you. “It’s a special way to be able to communicate with her—I can show her things, touch things,” says Kaye. From folding laundry to self-care, opportunities to engage baby can happen anywhere. Just ask Lou, who loves watching mama Ariel do her makeup while happily hanging out in her BABYBJÖRN, a task enjoyed by Gigi and Daphne as well.

Plus, allotting some of your attention to quickie tasks feels more guilt-free when babywearing. “Even though I’m doing other stuff, I can talk to him and narrate what I’m doing,” explains Zeilic. “I just feel like it’s playing and bonding, versus feeling like I’m sacrificing time with him.”

Hello, old favorite activities

Zeilic and her husband love to use their Baby Carrier Free for hikes—anything under an hour and she’ll strap on the carrier, over an hour and Dad’s on the job (good thing it’s easily adjustable for parents of all sizes). Even if hiking isn’t your hobby of choice, resuming your pre-baby favorite activities and feeling more like yourself post-baby is a welcome change to which most mamas can relate, Oz included.

She fondly remembers the sense of confidence and familiarity that accompanied a babywearing outing when her eldest children were a bit younger. “My first, Philomena, was only 20 months old when John was born and still such a baby herself. I remember going out to the beach on a calm day with Philomena to collect shells, and John was strapped next to my chest, snuggly and content. It was one of the first times I really felt confident as a new mother of 2.”

You can travel light

Working in fashion, Jacques has a tendency to be flanked with a host of accessories or at least a go-to purse, but babywearing has helped her limit the amount she has in tow when out and about. “I strap on baby, grab a bottle of water and my wallet and I’m ready to go,” she says. Minimalist multitasking has never been so chic.