Baby wearing is just carrying your baby on your body using a wrap, sling, or structured carrier so your hands stay free and your baby stays close. The safest approach is to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, keep the baby visible, and make sure their chin stays off their chest.

How to do it

  1. Choose a style that fits your baby’s age and your comfort, such as a stretchy wrap, ring sling, or soft structured carrier.
  1. Put it on snugly so the baby is held tight against your body, not loose or sagging.
  1. Position your baby high and close enough to kiss, with their face in view at all times.
  1. Check that their legs are supported in the recommended “M” position for hips and knees.
  1. Keep doing a quick airway check as you move around, especially if the baby falls asleep.

What to avoid

  • Do not use sling-style carriers for newborns if they hide the baby’s face or create suffocation risk.
  • Do not breastfeed while baby wearing unless you’ve been shown a safe way by a qualified professional, because it can block the airway.
  • Do not let the carrier sit too low or feel loose, since that can strain your back and reduce safety.

Practical tip

A simple mental check is: tight, visible, kissable, chin up. If anything about the baby’s breathing, posture, or comfort looks off, stop and adjust right away.

Babywearing vs carrier

Baby wearing is the practice; the carrier is the product you use to do it. So instead of thinking “baby wearing instead of baby carrier,” it’s usually “baby wearing with a wrap, sling, or carrier”.