Definition: Simply put, babywearing means carrying your baby in a soft carrier of some sort, whether it's a sling, pouch, wrap or something else. Babywearing offers convenience for parents, because they have their hands (mostly) free while still being close to their baby, which may make it easier to cross things off the to-do list. Babywearing isn't just about baby portability, though.

Though the art of babywearing has been around for centuries and in many cultures, the actual term is credited to Dr. William Sears and his wife, Martha, who are strong advocates for attachment parenting.

AskDrSears.com says the term came about in their home because Martha commented that she enjoyed wearing their young son and that the sling was like a piece of clothing she put on in the morning and took off at night.

Attachment parenting advocates say that babywearing results in babies who cry less, are better bonded with their parents, are more organized and may be smarter thanks to the added stimulation and interaction.