When Can You Start Using a Baby Carrier?

Babywearing is not a new thing and has been used for centuries in different cultures around the world. It’s a natural, healthy and fun way to bond with your little one. There are baby carriers suited for all ages, from newborns to toddlers. Regardless of their lifestyles, many parents find babywearing practical and helpful and start using it right away.
Keep in mind that newborns should be worn only on the front, facing inward until they are 3 to 6 months old and have good neck and head control. Depending on your child’s age and developmental milestones, you can choose a baby front carrier and enjoy all the benefits it has to offer.

Benefits of Using a Baby Carrier

Studies have shown that babywearing has many benefits for infants as well as for the carrying parent. It’s the practice of carrying your baby close against your body and when done safely, it can increase the health and happiness of babies, among other benefits.

Social and Emotional Benefits

There are also many social and emotional benefits of babywearing. Research has shown that close physical contact with the parent can help stabilise a premature baby’s heartbeat, breathing and temperature. Also, some studies have shown that it can help premature babies sleep better and gain more weight.Babywearing enhances the confidence of new parents as they become more attuned to the gesture, facial expressions and movements of their little ones. But also, it allows busy parents to be hands-free whenever needed.

Convenience

With a baby carrier, your hands and arms are free and get a break from holding the baby. It’s great for both you and your little one as you can get stuff done or do some exercises like walking or low impact aerobics having your baby close to you. Many parents see their baby carriers as an alternative to a stroller as it’s much easier than lugging a stroller in and out of the trunk and pushing it around. Also, your baby carrier can easily turn into a convenient seat whenever you are out to eat somewhere where a high chair may not be available.

Breastfeeding On-the-Go

Last, but not least you can breastfeed your baby in a carrier. It may take a certain practice until you get the best position possible. You can do this vertically or in a laidback position, and even though you’ll have to use your hands, it still gives you the freedom to move and use one hand to get your latch stored. After the feeding is done, make sure to change your little one’s position, so their head will be facing up, clear of the carrier and your body.
If this is important to you, make sure to check the manufacturer’s instructions before making a purchase, as some may suggest not to breastfeed in their carriers.

How to Choose a Baby Carrier

As babywearing increases in popularity, there are more and more baby carriers out there and choosing one can be a challenging task, especially for first-time parents. To help you narrow down your options, here are some of the most important factors to consider when choosing a carrier for your baby.

Comfort

This applies to both you and your little one. When choosing a baby carrier, look for one that sits your baby high enough, so you can kiss the top of their head. This is the safest position. When it comes to the seat, it should have a wide or adjustable seat that will distribute the baby’s weight position and keeps their legs in the hip-healthy M position.
For yourself, you should consider how much back and shoulder support you will need. If you plan on wearing your baby for hours at a time, make sure to look for padded shoulder straps and lumbar support.

Fit

Most carriers can easily adjust to different caregiver’s bodies, which is great, especially if you plan on sharing the carrier with another person. A carrier that adjusts well can be used by multiple adults in the family who might have different weights and heights.

Longevity

If you plan to use your baby carrier just for infancy, choose one that allows for a lot of cuddling, but if you want it to last into toddler years, then look for one that has front-facing positions and can accommodate a higher weight. A forward-facing option is a great solution for curious babies who want to peer out most of the time.

Care

As a parent, you know babies can be messy, they drool and spit up sometimes, so you want a carrier that’s machine washable. Check labels for washing instructions and follow them accordingly, so you will keep your baby carrier in a good shape longer.

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