Babywearing 101: Safety tips and how to choose the right carrier for you

Parents of infants and toddlers have their hands full. Babywearing – carrying an infant or toddler in a sling, wrap or traditional carrier – offers safe and practical hands-free flexibility as long as caregivers are careful to avoid the potential risks.

“Babywearing can be a great option for parents because it frees up their hands to do daily tasks while keeping their baby close,” says Bethany McLean, M.D., Pediatrician at Children's Health℠. “But it is not a passive activity. To safely use a baby carrier, you should be awake, alert and undistracted.”

Types of baby carriers

There is a wide variety of baby carrier products available but most fall into one of these three categories:

1. Baby sling. A wide piece of fabric that is fastened over the shoulder, creating a cocoon-type space for a child in front of your body.

2. Baby wrap. A longer piece of fabric that is wrapped in a particular way to support a child against your body.

3. Baby carrier. A backpack-like soft carrier that has more structure, usually with padded straps and buckles. Most are designed to be worn on the front, but some can be worn on the back with older babies and children.

How to choose which type of carrier is right for you

• Comfort. Try different carrier types and brands to see which fits your needs and your body best. Some people prefer carriers with hip straps that help take strain off the shoulders and lower back, while others like the closeness of a wrap or simplicity of sling.

• Climate. Consider when and where you’re most likely to use your carrier to help you decide which kind of carrier is best. In hot climates, a carrier made from breathable mesh may be preferable, while a thicker wrap-type carrier could keep your baby warmer in cold winter months.

• Check the manufacturers’ guidelines. Be sure the sling, wrap or carrier you choose is meant for carrying children your baby’s age, height and weight. Incorrect sizing or carrier type can put your baby at risk.

Pros and cons of babywearing

Babywearing is usually very safe as long as you are mindful of your activities and check on your baby frequently. The benefits of babywearing include:

• Flexibility. Caregivers can accomplish certain tasks while their hands are free.

• Bonding. Babies are held close, which promotes bonding with their caregiver.

• Muscle strengthening. Being supported in an upright position encourages your baby to move their head and use their neck and back muscles.

• Lowers risk of plagiocephaly. Babies spend a lot of time lying on their backs, which can flatten their head. Switching to a vertical position in a carrier reduces this risk.

Babywearing offers busy caregivers many advantages, but it has a few potential risks too. Risks include:

• Potential for injury. Infants are at risk of falling out of a carrier that is too big, loose or worn incorrectly. Older babies and toddlers in carriers may squirm or reach for dangerous objects that would otherwise be out of reach.

• Distraction. Babywearing can give caregivers the false sense that they do not need to pay as much attention as they normally would to their baby, leading to safety concerns.

• Suffocation. You should always be able to see your baby’s face and mouth to be sure they are breathing. Although rare, the fabric of a carrier or even a caregiver’s chest can block an infant’s air supply. Being slumped over inside the carrier with their chin against their chest can also stop an infant from breathing, called positional asphyxia.

• Hip dysplasia. Incorrect positioning in a carrier over time can interfere with an infant’s hip development. Review proper positioning to ensure your baby’s hips and legs are comfortably flexed open with their knees bent.

Tips for safe babywearing

There are several things you can do before and while babywearing to ensure your baby’s safety, including:

1. Watch instructional videos. Learn how to properly position and secure your child in your carrier. A wrap loosening unexpectedly or a buckle left undone can cause a fall. If you’re unsure, talk to a professional or ask your pediatrician to check your baby’s positioning in the carrier.

2. Ask for help. Avoid accidental falls by asking someone to help you place your baby in or take them out of the carrier while you are getting used to babywearing.

3. Check your carrier’s buckles and fabric. Be sure they are undamaged before use.

4. High, tight and in sight. Remember this phrase to be sure you’re wearing your baby safely. They should be placed high on your chest with their face above the carrier, hugged tight against your body, with their face and mouth in sight.

5. Be mindful of your movements. Watch for tripping and slipping hazards. Bend at the knees rather than from the waist to protect your baby from falling out of the carrier.

Things to watch out for while babywearing

• Blocked airway. Make sure nothing is covering your baby’s mouth or face and that they are not curled into a C-position with their chin on their chest inside the carrier, particularly in a sling.

• Potential dangers. As a general rule, only participate in activities that you would consider safe to do if you were holding your baby in your arms. Avoid activities like drinking hot liquids, cooking near a hot stove and walking on slippery surfaces.

• Sunburn. Be sure your baby’s skin is protected from direct sun with a loose shade umbrella and/or light socks, sleeves and a hat.

• Overheating. Your baby’s skin should not be red, hot to the touch or sweaty.

Can you wear a premature baby in a carrier?

Babywearing can offer most babies many benefits. But premature infants often have underdeveloped neck muscles and respiratory issues at first, so they should only use baby carriers when their pediatrician says they are ready and if:

• They are medically stable and do not have breathing problems

• They are well supported in the sling or carrier to ensure their airway stays clear

• They meet the carrier’s minimum size and weight requirements

Can you wear a baby with complex conditions in a carrier?

Babies with complex medical conditions, particularly breathing issues, generally shouldn’t use baby carriers. If you’re unsure if babywearing is right for you or your baby, talk to your doctor first.

Learn more

Looking for more guidance during your newborn journey? Explore more newborn care resources, expert tips and parenting guidance at childrens.com/newborn where you can find expert-backed resources on feeding, sleep, development and caring for your baby.

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