Super Mom Secret: Part 2 Baby Carriers

​You may recall hearing a report on the news several years ago claiming that wearing babies in carriers was “unsafe.” Parents were being told by the media, their doctors, friends, and well-meaning strangers that they were putting their babies at risk by wearing them in carriers. All of the hype over babywearing came after a few incidents that happened with a single carrier that, truthfully, was legitimately unsafe. However, that does not mean that there is not a safe way to wear a baby, and it does not mean that all carriers are unsafe.

So, how can a parent safely wear their baby? And what carriers are safe to use?
You may recall hearing a report on the news several years ago claiming that wearing babies in carriers was “unsafe.” Parents were being told by the media, their doctors, friends, and well-meaning strangers that they were putting their babies at risk by wearing them in carriers. All of the hype over babywearing came after a few incidents that happened with a single carrier that, truthfully, was legitimately unsafe. However, that does not mean that there is not a safe way to wear a baby, and it does not mean that all carriers are unsafe.

So, how can a parent safely wear their baby? And what carriers are safe to use?
Newborns, in particular, should be worn in a position that mimics a position that you would instinctively have them in while carrying them. Carrying them vertically with their head beneath your chin, for instance, is an instinctive position to carry a baby in, and is a wonderful position for babywearing. Conversely, you would never carry a baby at your hip level where babily is out of sight (which is what the recalled carrier did).

Your baby should be snug against your body, meaning that the carrier itself should never sag or sway. You should be able to see your baby at all times, and their head should be close enough to kiss rather than slouched way down your body. Baby’s back and neck need to be supported and they should be facing you at all times.  Check out the T.I.C.K.S. guide for safe babywearing pdf.
In addition, babies should never be worn in carriers that are styled similar to the baby Bjorn. They are known as “crotch carriers” and any chiropractor will tell you that they put tremendous strain on baby’s back and hips. (Not to mention YOUR back!)

Looking at a new baby, you’ll notice that their legs naturally go up into a “froggy” position with their knees up to their chest. They do this for a reason, and it has to do with the development of their hips. When a baby’s legs hang straight down, they actually come out of the hip socket. That means that any carrier that you use for your baby should keep baby’s legs in that “froggy” style position.

The recalled baby carrier was called a “bag” carrier. Babies were hung at hip level and the fabric of the bag closed around them completely. Babies were at risk for their chins falling onto their chests cutting off their air supply. Because the baby was wrapped in fabric and out of sight, the parent did not know the baby had stopped breathing. It broke every rule of babywearing safety.

With all these safety concerns, what kinds of carriers on the market today are able to be safely worn? There are dozens of types of carriers on the market. There are so many that it’s understandably difficult to wade through the options and decide on one. For starters, we’ll cover some of the most popular (safe) categories of carriers on the market today.

Ring slings. Generally, when people say “baby sling”, this is the image people think of: the ring sling. They are quite popular but it’s important to know a few things before purchasing one. First, they come in different sizes, and it’s very important that you use the correct size for your body.  The sling’s ease of use, safety, and comfort will all hinge on your using the correct size. Ring slings are quite comfortable when they are used right, and very uncomfortable when they’re not. They are fairly easy to use, but they take some practice. Do not wear newborns or small babies in a side-lying “cradle” position with these carriers. The best way to safely wear them is for them to be upright with their head under your chin. Then place the bottom rail of the sling behind baby’s knees, creating what amounts to a seat for baby to sit in while leaning on your chest, and remember to keep them snug against your body. Ring slings generally run anywhere between $60-$170 for a high-end carrier.

Soft Structured Carriers. In this category, you will find brands like Ergo, Beco, Boba, and Kinderpack. these are well-loved favorites because they are incredibly simple to use, they last a very very long time, they have a very high maximum weight so they can be used with toddlers, and they are comfortable for baby and parent. Most of them fasten at the waist with a high-quality buckle and then hold the baby to the caregiver’s body. Soft structured carriers can be more expensive ($100-$150). But they are very popular due to their ease of use, safety, and high quality. They are also very easy to sell later on when you are finished using them.

Moby wraps.  Moby wraps are very popular because they are the least expensive option at around $40-$60. In recent years, they have been named are the most popular baby shower gift. Conversely, they are also the easiest carrier to find on craigslist and at garage sales. This is simply because wraps of any kind require a lot of practice, and most people give up too soon. If you get one, stick with it! After some practice, it will become your favorite baby care item.

Pouches. The pouch is similar to the ring sling but without as much flexibility. These also require you to have a perfect size. If your pouch is too big, baby can sag and you risk their chin can falling to their chest. If it’s too tight, baby can’t breathe and there is no way to give the baby some slack in the carrier. This is why sizing is key for safety. However, a properly fitting pouch can end up being the easiest way to get baby around town.  They range anywhere from $10-$40.
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Check out our local babywearing groups for more hands on help and support. Having solid knowledge on how to use a properly fitting baby carrier can be a lifesaver for moms navigating the murky waters of the baby year!