Austin Babywearing strives to provide up-to-date, evidence-based information and resources to our community. Below are resources for using a carrier.
Benefits of Using a Baby Carrier
Drawing from medical and academic research in kangaroo care, lactation, infant and child development, and social sciences, we know there are many potential benefits to using a carrier!
Benefits for Child
– Infants in a carrier may cry up to less than those not held.
– Holding a child chest to chest helps them regulate and develop their senses.
– Assists in developing secure attachments with caregivers.
– Provides a comfortable and safe place for your child to rest.
Confident Caregivers
– A great way to bond with baby.
– Caregivers become more aware of baby’s cues and how to address baby’s needs.
– May help caregivers regulate their senses and with their overall health too.
– Shown to assist with lactation.
On The Go Comfort
– Hiking, traveling, festivals – Baby carriers go places car seats or strollers may not.
– Frees your hands to take care of other tasks.
– Distributes the weight evenly, helping to maintain good posture and reduce stress to the body.
– Most carriers fold up to fit in a bag for easy transport between uses.
ABCs of Using a Carrier
When wearing a baby or child, always remember the ABCs of babywearing:
A. Airway
Ensure baby’s airway stays open by keeping chin off of chest, and allow fresh air to circulate around baby’s face. Keep child close enough to kiss and in view at all times.
B. Body Positioning
Be sure the carrier supports baby in a way that is appropriate to his/her level of neck and trunk control and prevents slumping, ideally with knees higher than bum and weight borne by thighs and bottom.
C. Comfort
The carrier should be comfortable for you and your baby. If you do no feel comfortable and confident with the carry you are doing, have a spotter nearby to help you.
If you need help using your carrier, join us at our free monthly meeting.
Newborn Positioning
Infant Positioning
Toddler Positioning
Carrier Types
Our Carrier Types page goes over the main carriers we teach (although there are many, many other types of carriers) and also includes links to tutorials to help you learn how to use each carrier. As always, please contact us if you have any questions or would like some help with a “fit check”. You may email us at info@austinbabywearing.org, message us on Facebook, or join our Facebook discussion group.
Babywearing topics:
Choosing a Carrier for your family – two of our VBEs share their experiences on their personal blogs:
The Analytical Momma – Analytical Introduction to Babywearing
Baby Makes Three – But There’s So Many Options!!
Babywearing for weather:
Warm weather
Cold weather
Waterwearing