Babywearing: Exploring carriers
Dr. Jones
Pediatrician
Babywearing is win-win, but there are so many options nowadays for baby carriers that it can be tricky to know which types may feel right for you. Learn the basics, try a few, and don’t be afraid to change it up to suit the situation!
Babywearing benefits
Your baby loves being close to you. And sometimes your arms need a rest—or to be free to handle other tasks! The many established benefits to babywearing include:
- Strengthening baby’s neck muscles
- Regulating breathing and heart rate
- Aiding digestion
- Early recognition of hunger cues
- Bonding
- Multitasking
Not sure which carrier is right for you? There’s a lot of overlap, and you might prefer a certain carrier for a certain situation. Try a few, and don’t be afraid to change it up!
People sometimes think a structured carrier better supports an infant’s neck, but a soft carrier actually allows for important developmental movements, helping strengthen baby's neck muscles and hips while in a more natural position. Structured carriers are a great choice for older babies and toddlers.
“When they’re really tiny, you don’t want any separation,” says Emily Varnam, a midwife assistant and birth and postpartum doula. "It’s like tummy time, but molded to a parent's shape."
First, dress yourself and your baby for the weather, and put on your shoes. Next, put on the carrier in front of a mirror to ensure that it’s flush against your body, not twisted. Splay out any bunched fabric to evenly distribute baby’s weight.
“I tie it very tight, loosen it a bit, put the baby in, and then tighten to safe standards and comfort,” Varnam says. Practicing at home will help you build confidence and get the tension right.
A single-piece soft wrap is a piece of long fabric that you tie over your shoulders and across your torso to create a snug and stable pouch for your baby. There are no clasps that can dig into your or your baby’s body, and babies can grow with the wrap.
Pro: It can fit just about any caregiver while growing with the baby.
Con: The fabric is long and involves learning tying methods.
The variety of notable brands include Boba and Moby.
A multi-piece soft wrap, which consists of shorter and separate shoulder and torso fabrics, creates a snug and stable pouch just like a single-piece wrap, but without the need to learn elaborate tying methods. Make sure that each shoulder and torso fabric fits you snugly.
Pro: The shorter fabric packs compactly for travel.
Con: One size does not fit all.
The variety of notable brands include Baby K’Tan and Koala Babycare.
A ring sling is typically made of a woven fabric cut to fit the adult and sewn at the shoulder with a ring. This creates a hammock-style seat for the baby across your front or on your hip. Different types have different weight limitations, so use these slings within the recommended range.
Pro: It’s sized to the adult, making it straightforward to put on.
Con: One size does not fit all.
The variety of notable brands include WildBird and Heritage Baby Designs.
Originating in China and commonly worn throughout eastern Asia, a meh dai is part soft wrap, part structured carrier. Four straps extend from each corner of a body panel, and you typically tie them around your shoulders and waist to evenly distribute the weight of your baby.
Pro: One size fits all and can support children through preschool age.
Con: Can be somewhat challenging for infant hip carrying.
The variety of notable brands include Liliputi and Helina Baby.
Soft frames are like soft wraps with built-in support in a thicker body panel, as well as ease of use in a buckle at the waist and/or shoulder straps. The buckle lets adults quickly adjust the straps to fit different sizes without extra fabric hanging down.
Pro: More structured fabric can incorporate pockets.
Con: Buckles may dig into your or your baby’s body.
The variety of notable brands include Beco and Designed by Geeks.
To ensure that your baby is in a safe position in the carrier, you can follow the handy mnemonic device TICKS when looking at your baby’s positioning:
- Tight to your body
- In view at all times
- Close enough to kiss
- Keep chin off chest
- Supported back
For more tips on keeping your baby safe in the carrier, check out the American Academy of Pediatrics page on babywearing.
Additional resources
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