Babywearing, the practice of carrying a baby in a sling or other carrier, is a centuries-old method that promotes bonding and allows caregivers to remain hands-free while maintaining closeness. Understanding the correct and secure method for wearing your baby is important. Mastering the technique for your specific carrier type prevents common errors that can lead to discomfort or, in rare cases, compromise the baby’s breathing. This guidance offers clear, practical steps to correctly and safely put on the most common styles of baby carriers.
Identifying Your Carrier Type
The process of putting on a carrier varies significantly based on its construction. The Soft Structured Carrier (SSC), often called a buckle carrier, is the most structured option. It resembles a small backpack with padded shoulder straps and a wide, supportive waistband that fastens with buckles.
Another popular choice is the Ring Sling, which consists of a single piece of fabric, typically about two meters long, with two rings sewn into one end. The fabric is threaded through these rings to create a pouch worn over one shoulder and across the torso. Unlike the SSC, the ring sling is adjusted by pulling the fabric through the rings and distributes the baby’s weight primarily across one shoulder.
The third common type is the Stretchy Wrap, a very long, rectangular piece of knit fabric, usually four to five meters in length. This material is tied around the body in a specific pattern before the baby is placed inside. Stretchy wraps are favored for newborns because the soft, enveloping fabric mimics the snug sensation of a swaddle.
Essential Safety Guidelines
Before placing a baby into any carrier, internalize the universal safety rules that ensure a clear airway and proper positioning. The T.I.C.K.S. acronym provides a simple checklist to confirm the baby’s well-being once they are secured. This framework focuses on preventing positional asphyxia, a risk when an infant’s chin is pressed against their chest.
The T.I.C.K.S. acronym stands for:
- Tight: The carrier should be snug enough to hug your baby close to you without any slack that would allow them to slump.
- In View at all times: The baby’s face must be visible to the wearer with a quick glance.
- Close Enough to Kiss: The baby should be positioned high on your chest so you can easily bend your head and kiss their forehead.
- Keep Chin Off Chest: Ensure at least a finger’s width of space remains under the baby’s chin to maintain an open airway.
- Supported Back: The carrier material must hold the baby’s back in a natural position, preventing them from slumping down or curling forward.
Step-by-Step Guide for Common Styles
The Soft Structured Carrier begins by securing the wide waist belt around your natural waist or hips, ensuring the buckle is centered and the fit is snug. After buckling, position the baby against your chest, then pull the back panel of the carrier up over the baby’s back to their neck. While supporting the baby with one arm, loop the shoulder straps over your arms and clip the chest strap behind your back. Tighten all straps until the baby is held securely and high on your torso.
The Ring Sling requires initial threading by gathering the tail fabric and passing it up through both rings, then down through only the bottom ring, similar to a belt buckle. Position the rings high on the shoulder opposite the hip where the baby will rest, ensuring the fabric is spread flat over your back and shoulder. Create a pouch by tightening the rails, or the top and bottom edges of the fabric, leaving just enough space to slide the baby into the formed pocket. Once the baby is positioned, tighten the sling strand by strand by pulling the tail in the direction opposite to the slack until the baby is snug against your chest.
For a Stretchy Wrap, the most common starting method is the pre-tied or Pocket Wrap Cross Carry, which allows the wrap to be put on before the baby. Start by placing the center marker over your belly, crossing the ends behind your back, and bringing them over your shoulders to the front. The two ends are then pushed under the center piece on your belly, crossed behind the baby’s intended position, and tied securely around your waist or back. This process creates three layers of fabric across the baby’s body for maximum support.
Checking for a Proper and Safe Fit
Once the carrier is on and the baby is secured, a final fit check is necessary to confirm all safety parameters are met. The baby’s head should be high enough that the top of their head is within easy kissing range. This high placement helps maintain the baby’s airway and keeps them in constant view.
Attention must be paid to the baby’s leg and hip positioning, which should create an “M” shape, also known as the spread squat. In this ergonomic position, the baby’s knees are positioned higher than their bottom, and the carrier material supports the legs from knee-pit to knee-pit. This also ensures the legs are not dangling, which can place undue stress on the hip joints.
The baby’s spine should be supported in its natural curve, which is a gentle “C” shape for newborns, or a straighter supported posture for older infants. Check the tension of the carrier straps or fabric to ensure the baby is held securely against your body without being compressed or having their chin forced down. For the wearer, adjust the straps to distribute weight across the widest parts of your body for comfortable and extended wearing.