Babywearing is a tradition that’s centuries old and was practiced by ancient cultures across the world, but it has seen a resurgence in popularity over the last decade. Carriers are now a must-buy when preparing for a new baby as they let you bond with your baby hands-free. Unfortunately, as with anything trendy, a lot of parents just hear about the wonderful pros of babywearing and not any of the potential dangers if it is done incorrectly.
Before diving into the brave new world of wearing your baby everywhere and enjoying an unfettered parenting lifestyle, here are some safety considerations to keep in mind.
1. Be age appropriate.
Always remember that newborn babies are fragile creatures and need to grow and develop before they are strong enough to try certain things. This is just as true with babywearing as with anything else in your baby’s life. While there are a multitude of fun and fancy ways to wear your baby, start with the basics in your little one’s first days and work your way up to other methods.Because new babies don’t have proper head and neck control yet, always wear newborn babies on your chest facing inward regardless of the type of carrier you have. When in doubt, follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your specific carrier.
2. Remember T.I.C.K.S.
These five points will make sure your baby is comfortable and safe while in the carrier:
Tight: The carrier must be tight (but not too tight that it makes breathing hard) and secure across the baby’s back to keep them in position and safe from falling.
In view at all times: Baby’s face must be in your view constantly so that you are aware of any breathing issues or discomfort. This also means there should never be any material on your baby’s face that may block their breathing.
Close enough to kiss: Their head should be close enough that you can kiss the top easily.
Keep chin off chest: Babies’ airways can be restricted just by having their chin pressed against their own chest. Keeping their chin off their chest will ensure your baby has the right posture to be able to breathe freely.
Supported back: You can check if baby’s back is properly supported by pressing on it gently through the carrier. If your baby straightens up or can shift in the carrier to move closer to you, that means there is too much slack on the carrier.
3. Do the froggy legs position.
Whether baby is in a carrier that has their legs in or out, legs should always be in the froggy or M position. That means their knees are bent above the level of their hips with legs spread to the side, with the knees forming the peaks and the bum forming the valley of the M. This keeps any weight off their hips and places it at their bum. It also prevents placing unnecessary stress on baby’s developing hip joints.
4. Use quality carriers.
Whichever style of carrier suits you best, make sure you get one from a trusted brand. Reputable companies such as Angkalia, Next9, Yaro Slings, Little Frog, and LennyLamb use only materials and parts that have been tested and rated to carry the weight of a child. Avoid DIY-ing a carrier. You might use fabrics, rings, or buckles that may fail or break unexpectedly and cause you to drop the baby.
If you receive a second-hand carrier, always check the seams and parts to make sure they are still in good condition and won’t fall apart on you.
5. Be mindful.
The last thing to remember is to always be mindful that you have your baby’s well-being in your hands. Never drink hot drinks, cook at the stove, handle sharp tools or walk in dangerous areas while babywearing. If you need to pick something up off the ground, bend at the knees and keep your torso upright with a hand supporting the baby rather than bending forward at the hip.
Babywearing opens up a world of possibilities for what you can do while having your squirmy bub with you. Keeping these guidelines in mind will let you leave behind your worries about baby's safety along with the weight of that bulky stroller.
