Scoping Review of Biological and Behavioral Effects of Babywearing on Mothers and Infants

To synthesize the evidence on the biological and behavioral effects of babywearing on mothers and infants.

We searched PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, PsycINFO, Sociological Abstracts, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar for peer-reviewed, full-text research articles published in English in which researchers reported on the biological or behavioral effects of babywearing on mothers or infants.

We reviewed the titles and abstracts of 200 records and abstracted 80 for full-text review. Of these, 29 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the review.

We used the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) and extracted the following data from the included articles: author(s), year of publication, setting, aim/purpose, design, description, sample, results/outcomes, and implications to practice.

We synthesized data from the included studies into the following eight themes: Increased Contact, Responsiveness, and Secure Attachment; Physiologic Effects; Biomechanics and Positioning; Facilitating and Empowering; Comfort; Maternal Benefits; Speech, Vocalizations, and Tempo; and Beliefs and Perceptions About Babywearing.

Babywearing may have a range of beneficial biological and behavioral effects on mothers and infants. The evidence, however, is insufficient to inform practice recommendations, and additional research is warranted.