A Comprehensive Guide to Baby Carrier Positions By Age

Key Takeaways

• Front inward facing is the safest, most natural starting position for newborns and remains a go-to at any age, supporting head, spine, and a deep, hip-healthy seat while keeping your little one close enough to kiss.

• Outward facing is for short, occasional use once your baby is at least 6 months and sitting independently, since it can be overstimulating and harder to keep ergonomics in check; WildBird carriers are designed for inward carries and back carries.

• Back carrying becomes a comfortable option from 6 months (with independent sitting), offering better weight distribution for longer outings; an adjustable soft structured carrier helps you maintain secure positioning on your back.

• Choose positions based on age and readiness, keep airways visible, chin off chest, and knees higher than bottom, and adjust often for comfort; if you want a second set of eyes on fit, book a free virtual babywearing consult with our team.

Table Of Contents

1. Main Babywearing Carry Positions
2. Importance of Safe Babywearing Positioning
3. How to Choose the Right Position
4. Safe Carriers for Every Season

A stronger bond between parents and their baby is known to have a more positive impact on the baby's overall development and greater well-being for the whole family. By encouraging ongoing close contact, babywearing is a time-tested method of fortifying that bond, with the bonus that it makes it easier for parents to go about their day.

When babywearing, it's important to consider your baby's position in the carrier. In this guide, we'll cover everything you need to know about carrying positions, including the right baby carrier positions by age and key safety aspects when positioning your baby in the carrier.

Main Babywearing Carry Positions

There are a few babywearing positions with unique benefits, but they're not all appropriate at every stage of development. Here's what you should know about each one.

Front & Inward Facing

This classic babywearing position has your little one held up against you, facing inwards, heart to heart. It's the most natural and safest newborn baby-carrying position, and it remains ideal at any age.

In the early months, typically 0-6 months, this position is the most natural, safest way to carry your baby. Carrying your baby in the front inward facing position is also in alignment with baby's physical developmental position when held and carried. It supports the head, the natural curvature of the spine and hips when baby is in a deep seat with the baby carrier running from knee to knee.

Many of the key benefits of baby-wearing are intrinsically tied to this position, which replicates an embrace. The closeness of the baby to the caregiver promotes calmness and happiness in both. According to babywearing experts, this close position helps regulate emotions in both baby and caregiver as well as breathing and heart rate.

Studies show that it increases oxytocin release (the love hormone) and that it contributes to less crying in the babies, lower risk of anxiety and or post-partum depression in parents, as well as an overall more secure attachment which can lead to a lifetime of healthier relationships.

Front & Outward Facing

As your little one gets older and develops more neck control, you may opt for occasional bouts of the outward-facing carry, but carefully and judiciously. In this position, your baby is held with his back against your front and facing outwards to see the world.

This position offers a nice option as your little one gets older has more trunk, neck and head control. The main benefit of this position is that it'll allow your little one to see and engage with the environment they're in. You may want to try it if your baby shows frustration with an inward-facing carry and seems to be curious about the world.

However, it also has some significant drawbacks. This position puts your baby's back against your front, which can then make it a little more difficult to position baby in an ergonomically comfortable position with a deep M seated position and carrier running knee to knee. This position tends to lead to babies becoming overstimulated so therefore a short period of time of facing out is recommended. It can be tricky to check in with your baby if he is facing out as it makes it more difficult to pick up on his facial cues and expressions. This position can also be quite unbalancing for caregivers, putting strain on your back.

For these reasons, our babywearing experts recommend you wait until your baby is at least 6 months and able to sit independently. Additionally, limit the amount of time they spend in this position.

Note: Wildbird carriers are not designed to accommodate for the front outward facing position. Wildbird carriers are only designed for front inward facing and back carrying. We do not have a front outward facing option. The Aerial Buckle Carrier is designed for both inward facing and can be adapted for back carrying however this is only an option once your baby is at least 6 months and is sitting independently. 

Back Carry

In this carry, your baby is positioned on your back with his stomach facing against your back. The back carry offers a perfect balance of giving your child a front view of the world while also maintaining a healthier position for their back and hips.

This position is fantastic as your child gets older and heavier, and it's especially popular for activities like hiking. It's appropriate to try this carry once your baby is at least 6 months of age and able to sit independently. I

An adapted soft structured carrier is typically a great option for back carrying  The Aerial Buckle Carrier is designed for both inward facing and can be adapted for back carrying. It is possible to back carry with a ring sling and woven wrap (and can be done before 6 months) however it is recommended to consult with a babywearing educator for guidance and support. Correct positioning is crucial to ensure a safe, secure and comfortable fit on your back.

Hip Carry

Hip-carrying can feel very natural for parents, especially as their infants become a little more independent. It replicates the position you may choose by default when picking up your baby, and it gives your baby more room to look around and interact with the world. However, keep in mind that due to the asymmetry of this position, it can make you feel unbalanced and potentially lead to strain. As with other positions, it's best to wait until your baby is at least 6 months old, with enough neck and core strength to hold himself upright on his own. WildBird Ring Sling works well for a hip carry once baby is sitting independetly.

Importance of Safe Babywearing Positioning

Learning all of the elements of safe baby carrier positioning is a non-negotiable aspect of babywearing. Having your baby in a proper position is integral for both safety and comfort for you and your baby. The greatest risk of incorrect baby wearing is that your baby's head will slump forward, which can lead to asphyxiation.

Breathing

The acronym TICKS was developed to help caregivers remember how to keep their child's breathing pathways free with proper babywearing positioning:

• Tight fit that keeps your baby in a secure, consistent position against you.
• In view, you can interact with your little one as well as see if your baby's head is slumping forward or if their face is obscured.
• Close enough to kiss the top of baby's head, ensuring baby is positioned high and tight, giving you closer access while ensuring their face is clear of obstructions.
• Keep chin off chest, as any slumping can obstruct their breathing.
• Supported back to help maintain a secure, comfortable and safe position.

M-Shape

The M-shape or 'frog leg' shape refers to the shape your baby's legs, bum, and knees need to make when he's sitting in the carrier. Your baby should have a deep seat with the carrier running from knee to knee, fully supporting his bottom and thighs. Their knees should be positioned slightly higher than their bottom. The carrier should therefore support the natural clinging or froggy position that a baby assumes when picked up and held against you, and it's recommended by doctors as it may reduce the risk of hip dysplasia.

Spine

Before developing neck, shoulder, and core strength, an infant's spine has a natural C-curvature. The carrier should therefore support your baby's natural C-curve of the spine, by providing full support from your child's bottom, all the way up to the nape of the neck. 
The carrier should not put any pressure on the spine but rather the fabric holds around baby's back, following the natural curvature.

How to Choose the Right Position

Age: Before your baby is 6 months old, the inward-facing front carry is the most recommended, safe, and comfortable baby carrier position. After that point, you can start considering any of the other positions, as well.

Development: They should also be able to sit independently. Before they reach this milestones, the inward-facing front carry is the best, most safe option.

Type of carrier: Not all carriers will support all baby-wearing positions. Wraps, slings, soft structured and hybrid carriers all have different features and methods of wearing. It is important to become familiar with the different carrier types and know what is recommended with that specific carrier and manufacturer.

Time in the carrier: If you're following baby-wearing best practices and using an appropriate carrier for you and your baby's developmental stage, you can have your baby in the carrier for as long as you are both comfortable.

When choosing which position to carry your little one in, consider how much time he might spend in the carrier as well as what you are planning to achieve while wearing.

There are no limits on inward-facing carrying positions, while the back carry is an appropriate option for long baby-wearing periods when your little one is older. Stick to shorter carrying periods with the outward-facing carry or hip carry. There are no official time limits, but you do need to pay attention to markers of safety. Additionally, your baby’s development and your lifestyle may also impact how much time they should spend in the carrier, in various positions, or how often you should take breaks.

Baby’s Readiness: It is important to consider your baby’s readiness for a particular carrier as well as baby’s position, taking into consideration your baby’s overall size and developmental stage and not just baby’s weight. Although your baby’s weight might meet the minimum weight capacity of the carrier, your baby may still not meet the correct, secure and comfortable fit outlined in the safety guidelines for correct positioning in that particular carrier, whether it’s inward, outward, hip or back carrying. (Most carriers will indicate that baby’s head and or mid-ear should sit above the top panel on a carrier and baby’s airways are always visible. The carrier should also accommodate baby’s size so that baby can achieve a deep seat, with his knees higher than his bottom and the carrier running knee to knee). 

Safe Carriers for Every Season

Promoting safe babywearing is one of our passions at WildBird. We recommend caregivers always consider their baby's overall size and readiness to ensure a safe and comfortable fit.

• For achieving a cozy, inward-facing newborn baby carrier position, our hybrid Aerial Buckle Wrap offers a specialized secure and snug fit with easy adjustability. This baby carrier wrap is intended for babies full term up to 15lbs (but tested up to 25 lbs) so typically suits babies 0-6 months.
• For babies from 2 months old, our soft structured Aerial Buckle Carrier is an adjustable, user-friendly option suitable for either front inward-facing or can be adjusted for back-carrying from 6 months+ It has a weight capacity of 7 lbs to 45 lbs so can be used throughout babies development.
• The WildBird Ring Sling is a lightweight and flexible option that supports front inward, hip, and back carrying positions. This ring sling is best suited for baby’s full term to 35lbs so can be used from newborn into toddlerhood.

Note: Wildbird offers free virtual babywearing fittings and consults with a baby wearing educator

No matter your little one's age or developmental milestones, there's a WildBird Baby Carrier that'll suit your needs!