Just like placing your baby into a pram, cot, or if you have chosen to co-sleep, we do need to follow guidance to ensure safety. When you have done all your checks and are happy that everything aligns, babywearing is not inherently dangerous.
Mission
Do your safety checks with each & every carry
There are several babywearing safety frameworks you'll come across, including TICKS and ABC-style checks. The wording varies, but the underlying principles are similar: your baby's airway, position and support matter.
Scroll down to see what these are below...
Mission
Always secure baby's airways
In Sight -
Your baby's face should remain visible and their airway should be clear. Fabric should reach into the nape of the neck, no higher (for older babies they may have an arm or two over the panel) then doing additional things like fabric flips with certain carriers, using your baby's hands, and achieving a good pelvic tilt can all help to shift the head into a preferable position and give you a clearer view. You should have a good view of them, and be able to check on baby easily throughout the carry.
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​Remember: Airways are always the top priority!
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Mission
Body Positioning
High -
Your baby's position on you needs to be up high (aiming for good clearance of breast tissue) with their face on the hard part of your chest). How you place your sling on your body will vary as baby grows to accomodate this!
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Well Supported -
A naturally curved spine J shape (baby is unfurled, chin-off-chest), with their knees higher than bottom, in their naturally seated positioning (narrower for newborns and wider as baby grows) – M shape / pelvic tuck. Is what we're aiming for.
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How it'll look -
Baby will be upright, their tummy to your tummy (note that with some sling-types and confidence depending you can backcarry from newborn, and there are other positions you can carry baby in on your front with consultant guidance - such as seated sideways - as there are more safety precautions to consider).
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​Tight -
To maintain good positioning your little one's body needs to be well supported by a correctly tightened carrier. The carrying position you opt for (parent-facing, world-facing, hip carry, back carry) should be appropriate for their age and developmental stage, and/or sling-type you are using.
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Mission
Fit & Comfort
Fit -
The carrier should be adjusted correctly to fit both baby and the wearer. While a carrier can be technically suitable it can still be poorly fitted, which will not just be uncomfy, it could cause your baby to slump, placing their chin onto chest and potentitally compromise their airways. A consultant or library can help reassure you with the fit.
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Temperature -
Consider your baby's temperature & adapting for it – light, easily adjustable layers are best for both you and baby. Remember your carrier is at least one layer – do not layer bulky items like coats under it, but place around, more like a carseat if needed.
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Mission
Regular check-ins & monitoring
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Adjust as needed as you go -
When baby is in the carrier have little check-in's on the above pointers, and if anything has changed look to adjust.
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Your carrier may need adjusting -
Babies move, grow and change quickly. Meaning the fit that worked beautifully a few weeks ago may actually need adjusting now.
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A word on weight limits -
For younger babies especially, don't rely on simply checking that the carrier is within its stated weight range and the box instructions alone - as they can often conflict with these checks (head flaps up behind baby's nape of neck etc) - instead, if you're unsure check in with a professional here's why.
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Mission
Sleeping & Breast/Chest Feeding with carriers
Sleeping -
If baby is parent facing, you are confident on the fit, and there are no medical issues such as prematurity at play then your little one can stay sleeping in your sling for as long as you are both comfortable. Please be aware that world-facing is a position baby should NEVER sleep in - as their chin will droop onto their chest, not to mention this is a much harder position for monitoring – do regular check-ins to see if baby is relaxed or drowsy and at this point turn them back in. It's also worth noting that world-facing carry's are best for short bursts (this will be more comfy for both of you too!)​
Breast/Chest feeding -
Only HAND free and never HANDS free. If baby falls asleep during a feed you will need to reposition them upright and either retighten your sling safely, or remove them altogether. You need to ensure you can remain alert and monitor baby throughout the whole feed (for example if the doorbell goes don't walk to the door while nursing), reposition safely or remove and then answer.
As you feed make sure to do regular airway checks & ensure fabric remains clear of airways.
Feeding in any carrier needs to be done safely, and even more so when baby is 0-4m due to lack of head control and other developmental factors, so please check in with a consultant / sling library if you are unsure where to start.
If you are confident using your carrier then you may find this video link below on feeding in different sling-types useful
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MepuXQJJEAk
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Mission
Still not sure?
If you're unsure about positioning, fit, safety, or whether your carrier is suitable for your baby, I can help you check it in person / online may be an option too if you're further afield.
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Need a quick check?
Explore Quick Support →
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Want to explore carriers or several carrying options?
See Full Consultations → Or Packages →
Not sure which you need?
Get in touch and I'll help you work it out →
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Further reading
Discover my babywearing guides →​
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This is general educational information, and I'd still recommend that all parents new to babywearing get a fitcheck to ensure optimal wearing. For premature babies or medical considerations, seeking professional support is even more important.
