Common Babywearing Mistakes (and How to Correct Them)
- Emma Edmondson-Payne
- Oct 26
- 4 min read
Updated: 5 days ago
Babywearing is such a lovely way to keep your little one close, your hands free, and it can certainly make your days feel a little calmer, but it’s a skill you do have to practice and learn together with your baby. I'd compare learning to breastfeeding (for something that should feel natural, at first it won't necessarily feel it!).
Working with families during 1-1 carrying consultations since setting up a few years ago now, I’ve seen the same few hiccups pop up again and again. The good news? They’re all fixable with just a few tweaks! Let’s look at some of the most common babywearing mistakes — and, more importantly, how to correct them.
1️⃣ COMMON BABYWEARING mISTAKE:
Baby is too low or too far away
Why it happens: When you’re new to carrying, or just juggling everything at once, it’s easy to end up with baby sitting a little lower than ideal. The result? You find yourself hunching forward or constantly adjusting.
How to correct it:
You want to hold your little one's bottom in relation to where their head will end up when placing the carrier / wrap around them, you can almost use your arm a little like a shelf. (The safe zone for baby's head is the hard part of your chest - clear of breast tissue if applicable)
Remember the “T” shape: your shoulders back, your spine neutral, baby snug and high enough that you can easily kiss their head (no stooping).
Use your carrier’s tightening mechanisms — don’t be afraid to pull that fabric snug, your sling should feel like a warm and very close embrace.
Often - if you raise baby within the sling to the position you wish for them to end up in, you'll find slack at your shoulders, which you can pull back, track and tighten, you may need to scoop the waistband up and under to support this new positioning if using a buckle.
💡 In my 1-1 sessions, I often demo how this works— it’s a total game-changer for comfort.
2️⃣ COMMON BABYWEARING mISTAKE:
Fabric isn’t spread knee-to-knee, baby seems too straight, and/or isn't supporting baby’s back properly
Why it happens:You might be using a wrap that isn’t spread wide enough, or a carrier adjusted to better support a smaller baby. Over time, fabric can bunch or slip.
How to correct it:
This will not be applicable for narrow-based carriers (unless you use something called the scarf-hack) Make sure baby’s legs form the lovely “M” shape (knees higher than bottom). To do this ensure the fabric is supporting into each knee-pit and not beyond. Do a pelvic tuck - where you scoop the knees up and push the bottom back slightly into the carrier panel.
Can you adjust the panel so the fabric supports to the nape of the neck, or if baby has good head control above the armpits (having baby's arms out can help when they are curious, and want more visibility, but perhaps aren't developmentally ready for a hip carry or front-facing).
Smooth the fabric across baby’s back so it’s snug but not tight.
Double-check the shoulder straps — they should sit flat.
🧡 Support means comfort — for you and baby.
3️⃣ COMMON BABYWEARING mISTAKE:
Skipping your safety checks
rembember your ABCs!
Why it happens: Once babywearing feels natural, it’s tempting to skip the quick safety check. But it’s worth keeping that habit strong.
How to correct it:
Always run through your ABC check:
A = Airways: Baby’s face visible, chin off chest.
B = Body positioning : Well supported with a nicely tightened carrier
C = Comfort This should encorporate a temperature check - you want to ensure no overheating, wrapping any chunkier layers around the sling not under it. Your comfort checks will relate and overlap with the other two - a tight sling, that is well supporting baby will feel comfy for the both of you :)
4️⃣ COMMON BABYWEARING mISTAKE:
Not readjusting as baby grows (or when switching carriers)
Why it happens:What worked for your 8-week-old won’t always work for your 8-month-old. Babies grow fast, and so should your carrying setup!
How to correct it:
Check in once a month for a “refit.” Your carrier will likely widen at the base, and may loosen at the sides to create a taller panel - remember you want to support baby knee to knee and up to the nape of the neck.
If you change carrier styles (e.g. wrap → buckle carrier), take time to re-learn the fit
Book a 1-1 carrying consultation to check your current fit, explore new carriers, or make sure your babywearing feels just right again.
🌼 Your back — and your baby — will thank you.
5️⃣ COMMON BABYWEARING mISTAKE:
Ignoring your own comfort
Why it happens:We focus so much on baby’s position that we forget about our own! But if your shoulders ache or your straps dig in, you’ll likely end up wanting to carry less or stop altogether - which is such a shame.
How to correct it:
Adjust your posture, try and be as upright as possible when putting on your sling: shoulders relaxed, back upright.
Check where your straps sit — they shouldn’t cut into your neck - aim for the positoning things so the outer part of the strap is on your outer shoulder blade. Pulling straps/ tails down to pull out slack before coming around a corner and tightening often makes all the difference. If you're dealing with a chest-clip, ensure it is well tightened, and positioned somwhere between your lower shoulder blades and midback so that straps don't slip, and sit flat.
If you’re feeling discomfort, don’t just “push through it.” Little tweaks make a big difference.
✨ In every 1-1 session, we spend time exploring placement of straps — because your comfort matters too.
In a nutshell
Babywearing is a skill — and like any skill, it will simply require practice and patience. Don’t be disheartened if things feel a little “off.” Often just few small adjustments can transform your comfort and confidence. If you’d like a fresh pair of eyes (and some gentle guidance), book a 1-1 carrying consultation. We’ll go through your carrier, your fit, your posture — and make sure you leave ready to carry happily and safely.
And remember: sling safety is simple when you stick with the ABC rule 💛
Happy carrying,
Emma x
