Babywearing 101: A Crash Course in Safety, Comfort, and Ease

By Kaili Brooks

The world is constantly being blessed with the arrival of new little ones, and statistically speaking, you have or will become the parent, grandparent, aunt, or uncle of a brand-new baby. Emerging into a world full of new sights, sounds, and sensations, many babies feel overwhelmed by the number of stimuli they are exposed to and never want to leave their caretaker’s side. Congratulations. This is a perfectly normal baby! Human beings are classified as carry mammals, much like monkeys, and we are designed to have our babies close to us at all times—hence the velcro baby situation many caretakers find themselves in. Unlike monkeys however, our babies do not emerge from the womb with the necessary skills to effortlessly hang onto us, leading many to be confused as to what to do with a baby that never wants to be put down. 

The experience of babywearing dates back thousands of years and is practiced by indigenous groups all around the world. As America trends away from the detachment parenting of the 20th century, many people may start to be drawn toward wearing their baby for the close bonding and comfort it provides for the baby, in tandem with the convenience and ease of movement provided for the caretaker. Babywearing makes nursing, walks, cooking, cleaning, naps, and so much more, achievable by freeing up one’s hands and eliminating the obstacle of entertaining a baby. Getting started can be a bit difficult, so let’s begin with a basic overview of your different kinds of carriers.

Stretchy wrap

Pros: The stretchy wrap is most commonly and easily used in the newborn stage—before they are too heavy to weigh down the fabric. The wrap is generally composed of cotton and/or spandex to allow for you to keep baby wrapped inward to you like a big hug. They are excellent for skin-to-skin.

Cons: The length of the fabric is cumbersome for many, and the wraps are generally only useful for a short time (around a maximum of 15 lbs.).

Woven wrap

Pros: This wrap is the O.G babywearing tool! The fabric is often used in the same way as a stretchy wrap, but is significantly more rigid, allowing you to use it for far longer. It is also the only way to carry baby on your back from birth, as the fabric allows for the proper positioning in ways other carriers cannot. 

Cons: The learning curve can be significant, and similarly to the stretchy wrap, the amount of fabric can be frustrating when first starting out, especially if you are on the more petite side. If you wish to begin here, a babywearing class may be to your benefit.

Ring sling

Pros: This carrier allows baby to sit on your hip with the support of a sling over one shoulder. Considered by many to be the best carrier for hands-free use.

Cons: This carrier is either loved or hated by new parents. It can be quite confusing to adjust and not suitable for all baby or wearer anatomy. 

Structured carrier

Pros: A structured carrier is favored by the masses for how easy it is to master. Many allow you to slip it on, pop baby in, and you’re on your way. Hundreds of brands and models exist and allow you to wear baby front, back, and sideways.

Cons: Because of their popularity, many buy the carriers without being versed in proper safe carrying methods. Many brands are also non-ergonomic in their design and unsafe to use.

Now that we’ve covered the basics of your babywearing device, the next step is to ensure that you are wearing your babe safely. Because of the recent boom in babywearing, many dive in headfirst without the proper knowledge of safe positioning, which can lead to adverse effects such as concussions, suffocation, and hip dysplasia. These are unlikely to occur, but with the proper skillset and prior knowledge these risks can be avoided entirely. In the pictures accompanying this article, the babies can be seen in a sort of kangaroo position on the wearer. This is the basic position that can be utilized in all carriers. Begin there and remember this helpful acronym:

T.I.C.K.S

• Tight: Ensure that baby is snug to you. Slack and loose fabrics can prohibit proper positioning, causing baby to slump in the carrier, hindering breathing, and weighing on the wearer’s back.

• In view at all times: Make sure you can always see baby’s face when looking down. If the baby is covered by fabric or faced into your chest, they may not have space to breathe. If shielding baby from the sun is a concern, there are some wrapping methods that allow for this without covering the head unsafely.

• Close enough to kiss: As a rule of thumb, baby’s head should be high enough on your chest to kiss without significant straining.

• Keep chin off the chest: To allow space for breathing, ensure baby’s head is not forced downward into their chest. A two-finger gap between chin and chest is adequate.

• Supported back: The carrier/wrap should be tight enough to support baby’s back, but not so tight that they are crushed against you. An easy way to do this is to check that the “seat” of the carrier is the lowest point of the carry. Baby’s weight should be supported by their butt and legs, not their back or other parts of the body.

• M-sit: When their body is properly supported, their legs should follow an “M” shape, with their butt as the middle of the M.

• C-curve: Baby’s back should follow a natural C-curve—not too rounded, not too flat.

Now that basic positioning has been established, it is necessary to address common mistakes that a first-time baby wearer may make.

• World-facing. Though a popular way to carry babies is to face them outward away from you, this position is not optimal for multiple reasons. The C-curve and M-sit are not possible, and baby can get easily overwhelmed and overstimulated without the ability to face inward to the wearer for comfort. Your baby will be able to easily look around while being worn facing inward, so there is no reason for this carry to be used.

• Baby is in the wrong carrier. All carriers come with weight or height limits. After these limits are reached, baby should be transitioned to a different carrier, which should make the carry more comfortable for both of you. The best carry for your big baby is the back carry in a woven wrap or structured carrier.

• Your baby is too low. Baby should sit as high as humanly possible on your chest. When tying your wrap, tie it far tighter than you think you need, as the fabric will stretch out. When wearing a structured carrier, the waist band should be positioned directly under the breastbone to achieve a high enough carry. If your baby appears pinned to the chest and not in a C-curve, try moving the waist band or seat higher and adjusting shoulder straps. This is safer for baby and far more comfortable for you.

• Your baby’s seat is too small. Many carriers, though advertised as such, are not ergonomic for your baby. If the seat does not extend wide enough to achieve the M-position, it should be adjusted or avoided if adjustment is not possible. A sign this is happening to you is if your baby is exhibiting the “crotch dangle,” where all their weight is held by their groin rather than distributed through their legs.

• You are uncomfortable. Your comfort as the wearer is important as well. As a rule of thumb, if it feels wrong, it is wrong. Back pain, hip pain, and cramps are all common symptoms of improper positioning and may be mitigated by adjusting a tie, strap, or shifting a big baby to your back. Finding a carrier that allows for the straps to cross in an X on your back (as opposed to the H strap most carriers employ) may help with back strain.

You have now completed your basic course in babywearing. Go forth confidently with your baby comfortably on your chest, back, or hip! If at any point you feel you need more advice, a second opinion on your fit or carrier, or just need a community of fellow baby wearers, there are resources for you. Locally, the Ann Arbor Area Babywearer’s Facebook group can provide any support you need. The Little Seedling shop in the Westgate shopping center has many carriers for you to try on before you buy. If you frequent Reddit, the r/Babywearing subreddit allows you to post pictures of your carry and have it evaluated by the community often within minutes. Many local doula networks also offer babywearing classes for both before and after birth to get prepared for baby and receive advice on your carries after baby is here. The importance of in-person community assistance is a valuable resource that cannot be understated in the age of the internet. Feeling overwhelmed with the sheer amount of information provided is perfectly normal—especially if you have just undergone the transformation of childbirth. Above everything else, remember to take things slow, give yourself grace, and practice. You will be wearing with ease in no time!

Kaili Brooks is an Ypsilanti native and current student in the Eastern Michigan University German program, as well as the new editor of The Crazy Wisdom Community Journal calendar of events. She is a new mom to a one-year-old and passionate about intentional living, fiber arts, baby wearing, and holistic health.

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