Babywearing, the practice of carrying your baby close using a baby carrier, is a time-honored tradition that offers numerous benefits for both infants and caregivers. Understanding these advantages and selecting the appropriate baby carrier can not only free up your two hands – a HUGE advantage for any parent- it can also enhance the bonding experience and even help your baby sleep better at night.
I loooved wearing my babies. In summer, in winter, in the house and outside in nature. I would never travel without my baby carrier and loved the connection and warmth that baby carrying brought me and my children.
Mélanie Veluire
Early Parenthood Consultant
This article was written after I attended Mélanie’s baby wearing workshop. She has reviewed the article.
Benefits of Using a Baby Carrier
From the moment they are born, babies are accustomed to the warmth and rhythm of being carried, reminiscent of their time in the womb. Continuing this closeness by using a baby carrier provides several benefits:
Enhanced Digestion and Reduced Reflux
Keeping babies in an upright position aids digestion and minimizes reflux episodes.
Improved Thermoregulation
Babies cannot regulate their own body temperature at birth and being physically close- as they are in a baby carrier – allows them to use you. Both to stay warm when it’s cold and cool down when it’s hot.
Strengthened Bonding
Physical closeness fosters a secure attachment between caregiver and baby via the wonderful hormone oxytocin. This bonding is beneficial for the caregiver and for the baby and aids in their emotional development.
Increased Caregiver Responsiveness
Being attuned to subtle cues allows caregivers to learn their baby’s different cries and to respond promptly to their baby’s needs. A randomized study actually found that baby carrying actually leads to fewer cries and increased contentment and feeding frequency (Source 1).
Improved Sleep Patterns
Babies who are carried often during the day may experience better sleep at night, leading to a more rested household. The “transport response” is an innate reaction in many mammals with babies who are unable to care for themselves- it is simply when the caregiver picks up their infant and starts walking. The result: a docile infant with a slowed heart rate (Source 2).
Babies calm down when they smell you, touch you, enjoy your warmth and feel your heartbeat. This calm often results in relaxation and sleep and remember sleep begets sleep!
Looking for more tips on infant sleep? Check out our other articles on newborn sleep schedules and wake windows.
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How to Choose the Right Baby Carrier
So you’re convinced you want to carry your baby, but there are so many choices out there! Believe me, I know. I have tried pretty much all of them and with Mélanie’s wisdom, we will walk you through the pros and cons of each, accompanied by a photo gallery of my adventures with baby carriers!
Because, I made some mistakes when baby carrying → Mélanie recommends that a baby is never carried forward facing as this is a lot of stimulation for them and doesn’t respect their physiology (see next section below for more).
Selecting a suitable baby carrier depends on various factors, including the baby’s size, yes actual length – not weight and not age (more on that below) – and the caregiver’s comfort.
Let’s go through the 4 common types of baby carriers.
Ring Slings
Fabric threaded through rings, worn over one shoulder, allowing for quick adjustments and easy use. These are often easiest to use while breastfeeding as you can easily lower the baby into a side-lying position.
I personally found this to be uncomfortable with the ring digging into my shoulder and it being asymmetric. I wore mine this one and only time!
WRAPS
Long pieces of fabric that wrap around the caregiver and baby, offering a customizable fit. They come in stretchy or woven materials.
My favorite is the classic Boba Wrap Carrier. I used it from birth as my go to when the baby was fussy or I needed to work, cook, or go out and about. It is so comfortable and thin, easily fitting under normal coats.
Skin to skin with baby carrier
Working with baby carrier
Scarf baby carrier fits under coat easily
Soft Structured Carriers (SSCs)
Featuring padded straps and buckles, these baby carriers distribute weight evenly, are quick to strap on and often offer multiple carrying positions.
Mélanie recommends Neobulle, Limas by Stokke or Kibi. There are plenty that work just fine, but the key is to be able to adjust the width and the height precisely – not just to have 2 or 3 positions like my Ergo Baby 360.
Go anywhere with your baby carrier
Easily switch wearer with a SSC
Working with baby carrier
Mei-Tai Carriers
These are the hybrid of a wrap and a soft structured carrier. These have ties instead of buckles and are less complicated than wraps.
Did these exist when I had kids? Not sure, but I never tried one, so no personal experience to share here.
Key Considerations
Baby’s Length: You need to choose a baby carrier based on your baby’s length rather than age or weight to ensure it respects the baby’s physiology.
Adjustability: Because it is so important to respect the baby’s physiology, you want to choose a baby carrier that is adjustable in two ways. Both in width – for the hips based on the baby’s age – and in height based on the baby’s length.
Ergonomic Positioning: Ensure the baby carrier supports the baby’s natural “C” shaped spine and positions their legs in an “M” shape, with knees elevated and hips spread. The fabric should support from knee to shoulder, promoting healthy hip development. Lastly, baby’s feet should be dangling free, not touching any material or object as this will promote the Babinski reflex and startle your baby.
READ MORE
About Baby’s Reflexes and Development
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Dressing Considerations for Babywearing
When using a baby carrier, it’s essential to dress appropriately to maintain comfort and safety. As we mentioned babies cannot regulate their own temperature and due to their large surface area they quickly lose heat. Yet, because we carry the baby as close to our skin as possible, we will transfer our heat to them; so we also need to be careful that we don’t overheat the baby.
So, here’s the rule: count the baby carrier as 1 layer of clothing.
You want to make sure that you keep your baby as close to your body and skin as possible. Unbutton your blouse, in cold weather put the baby carrier inside your coat to maintain warmth and bonding effects.
Don’t wear your baby facing forward. This does not respect their physiology – C spine and M hips, and their bum digs into your belly, so its super uncomfortable.
A coat extender product, like this one, can be helpful both during pregnancy and in adapting your coat for baby carrier use. I loved this and we were able to use it on both my coat and my husbands.
Safety Tips for Using a Baby Carrier
While using a baby carrier offers numerous benefits, safety is paramount:
Maintain Airway
Ensure the baby’s face is visible and their chin is off their chest to prevent airway obstruction. Their head should not be covered by the baby carrier. If the baby falls asleep and you want to keep their head from bobbing about you can strap up 1 side of your SSC or gently pull the scarf over the side of their head but make sure to stay vigilant.
Secure Fit
The baby carrier should hold the baby snugly against your body without causing discomfort. If you are using a SSC you need to attach it just below your bust, not at your hips. You should be able to kiss the baby’s head.
Regular Checks
Frequently monitor your baby’s position and comfort, especially during extended periods of wear.
Want to Learn More About Baby Carriers?
If you’re interested in learning more about baby carriers and choosing the right one, you can contact Mélanie, the baby wearing expert who co-authored this article or join one of her workshops. Mélanie can guide you in selecting the best baby carrier for your needs and provide hands-on training for safe and comfortable baby wearing.
Reach out today to get started on your baby carrier journey!
Sources
- Hunziker UA and Barr RG. Increased carrying reduces infant crying: a randomized controlled trial. Pediatrics 1986.
- Ohmura N et al. A method to soothe and promote sleep in crying infants utilizing the transport response. Current Biology 2022.
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