Baby Wearing 101: When Can You Start Using a Baby Carrier?

Key Takeaways

• Start when both of you are ready, choosing a newborn-friendly option and checking brand guidance; your baby should ride high enough to kiss with airways visible, chin off chest, and a deep M-seat from knee to knee.

• Prioritize safety and comfort every time: look for CPSIA/ASTM compliance, ergonomic support that spreads weight across your shoulders and waist, and easy adjustability to fit different wearers and stages.

• As your baby grows, your carrier should adapt too. Start with something soft and secure for those early weeks, then move to a more supportive carrier as you both gain confidence and your baby becomes more active.

• Build confidence with practice and support—learn TICKS, adjust often, mind your balance, use video tutorials, and lean on a babywearing educator when you want a quick fit check.

There’s a reason why baby wearing is a championed practice throughout the globe. A baby carrier can be one of the most useful and convenient items you own as a parent. Baby wearing offers a means to keep baby close while you go about your day.

Baby carriers are designed to accommodate different age and weight ranges. Baby carriers for newborns will have a lighter weight capacity than those for older babies and those made to accommodate more long term wearing into toddlerhood. Certain baby carriers are made to accommodate all stages of baby’s development as they are adjustable. It is important to research the carrier so that you are aware of these features in order to know when it is best to consider using it with your baby.

In this guide, we’ll help you do just that, with key tips on when to start baby wearing, which carrier to choose, and more.  

Table Of Contents

1. Essential Considerations Before Wearing Your Baby
2. When Exactly Should You Start Baby Wearing?
3. Tips for Successful Babywearing
4. Baby Carrying for Every Life Stage

There are a lot of safety considerations associated with baby wearing. It’s imperative to look for carriers that are compliant with federal and local regulations, such as CPSIA and ASTM, and are developed to prevent the risk of injury or suffocation. 

Choose a carrier that will facilitate baby being in the hip-safe "M" position, when seated in the carrier, with their knees positioned higher than their bottom, as recommended by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute

Ergonomic and Comfortable for Caregivers

Don’t neglect your safety, either. An ill-fitting or poorly designed baby carrier can put a lot of stress on your lower back or shoulders. Look for carriers that will distribute the weight evenly across your back and shoulders. A waist band that has good lumbar support and wraps around your waist to support your core as well as secure well-fitted shoulder straps is also important.

Size and adjustability matter, as well. Most baby carriers are adjustable and designed to be one-size-fits-all, but always confirm whether the product you’re considering is designed to fit your size and height. A baby wearing consultant can assist with helping you achieve a better, more comfortable fit if you are having difficulty in this area with a particular carrier.

Versatility

Some carriers have limited weight and age capacities, while others are designed to be adjustable and versatile to support babies through multiple stages of life. Whether you’re shopping for a carrier or you already have one, check the size and age parameters to ensure it’s suitable for your little one. 

Baby's Readiness

It is important to consider your baby’s readiness for a particular carrier, 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.

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. This is why it is recommended to access baby’s readiness, and not just his weight, when considering different types of carriers. 

You can start using a baby carrier soon after your baby is born as long as you take into account your baby's readiness (birth weight, no underlying respiratory or health issues after birth) and select an appropriate carrier for this newborn phase. Also consider whether you are feeling comfortable and ready to babywear.  Baby wearing in this newborn phase can help with bonding and responding to baby's needs, as well as being able to attend to other children while caring for a newborn. Take into account the type of carrier you’ll be using, the brand’s recommendations, and what reviewers say. Here’s what to know and look for based on your child’s age. 

Newborn (Under 7 Lbs)

When considering to wear a newborn under 7lbs, it is recommended to reach out to a baby wearing consultant to guide you because it is crucial to ensure safe and correct baby wearing so that baby's health is not compromised in anyway. Sometimes it might be recommended to wait a little to babywear if birth weight is really low. Kangaroo care is always an option and holding baby close skin to skin. 

Most structured carriers aren’t designed for such a low weight, however baby carrier wraps could be an option as well as ring slings like the WildBird Ring Slings which can offer you and your baby a safe supportive option during this early season. It is vital to always assess your baby’s readiness to be worn and if there are no birth complications or health related issues, still keep in mind that when you wear your baby, she should be snug and secure against your chest, with the top of her head high enough for you to kiss, her head should always be above the top panel of the carrier and her airways visible at all times. Following safety guidelines such as TICKS can be helpful in ensuring optimal positioning. A babywearing consultant can help facilitate your decision to babywear as well as help you navigate wearing your little one in this early season.

Newborn (7 Lbs+) to 3 Months

At this stage, most baby wraps, ring slings and soft structured carriers will support your baby’s weight, but always check brand guidance to confirm. The WildBird Aerial Buckle Wrap is a great option for wearing your newborn from full term up to 15lbs (This carrier is tested to 25lbs, however for babies heavier than 15lbs, Wildbird recommends trying their soft structured Aerial Buckle Carrier.) 

WildBird recommends caregivers always consider their baby's overall size and readiness to ensure a safe and comfortable fit. Baby's head and airways should sit above the top panel of the carrier. 

The safest way to babywear from 7lbs to 3months is with your infant in front, facing towards you; also known as heart to heart wearing. Newborns are at a higher risk of suffocation, so make sure your baby is positioned high enough against your chest so that you can kiss the top of his head and that your baby’s face is always in view. Never cover your baby's face. Ensure your baby's airway is always open and visible. The carrier should be positioned up to the nape of baby's neck. When positioning your baby in the carrier, make sure you help to achieve a deep seat, with your baby’s knees in a hip-healthy M-shape and the carrier runs from knee to knee. You can also push up on baby's feet to help achieve a deeper seat in that spread squat position.

Note: The Aerial Buckle Carrier is designed to adjust the seat to accommodate baby’s width, knee to knee. Carriers that do not have this feature may come with a separate infant insert.

4-6 Months

At this stage in development, babies have more head and neck support. The Wildbird Ring Sling as well as the Aerial Buckle Carrier are both great options. A great carrier choice is the Wildbird Aerial Buckle Carrier. It has a weight capacity from 7lbs to 45lbs however is best suited and recommended for wearing from when baby is 2 months old. Pairing it with a pacifier clip set adds even more convenience to your everyday routine. It is around this age that baby meets the required safety guidelines outlined (Baby’s mid-ear should be above the top panel of the carrier, with face and airways clearly visible and unobstructed). The base of the carrier will most likely need to be adjusted to accommodate baby’s seat so the carrier is running knee to knee. You can easily do this by increasing the width on the waist band of the carrier from the newborn setting to the 3-6 month setting. Baby’s overall size and development should always be taken into account when adjusting and positioning baby in the carrier. For more details, refer to the safety information on the Aerial Buckle carrier. 

The Wildbird Ring Sling is also a great option during this stage. It has a weight capacity of 7lbs - 35lbs. The fabric and fit of a RingSling is nice and secure with adjustments made a the rings. Baby’s head should be above the top panel of the carrier and face and airways always visible. A good deep seat with fabric running knee to knee, knees higher than the bottom is also important when wearing your baby in the Ring Sling. Refer here under safety information with the Ring Sling. Awareness around your own posture, back and amount of time using the carrier is a good idea to ensure your comfort as the wearer. Taking breaks or switching shoulders can be helpful. The Ring Sling does not have much back and lumber support compared to the Aerial Buckle Carrier but it is a good option while baby is still fairly small. 

As your baby’s size increases, be sure to adjust the carrier and position it on your body accordingly as baby grows. Carriers with more lumber support and padded shoulder straps prove to be beneficial for you as the wearer. 

6-12 Months

At this point, your baby probably has excellent neck and head control. This is a great season to try new carrying positions such as a hip carry with a ringsling, or a back carry with a soft structured carrier. Some carriers can adjust to allow outward facing for short periods, however Wildbird carriers are not designed for this. Wildbird carriers are designed for baby to face inwards towards the wearer (heart to heart) or for back carrying.  The WildBird Ring Sling as well as the Aerial Buckle Carrier are great options for wearing during this 6-12 month stage. Make sure to check and adjust the carrier regularly to account for the changes in your baby’s size. WildBird recommends that caregivers always consider their baby's overall size and readiness to ensure a safe and comfortable fit. Be sure to check the safety guidelines under each of these carriers for a safe, secure and comfortable fit.

12 Months to Toddler

At this point, carrying your not-so-little one on your back may be more comfortable than on your front, especially for longer periods of baby-wearing. Even for short jaunts, you will appreciate the additional support of a padded waist belt, and shoulder straps. The Aerial Buckle Carrier can accommodate up to 45lbs which makes it a good choice! A woven wrap or ring sling can still be useful for shorter periods with a older baby. The Wildbird RingSling is still an option as it’s weight capacity goes up to 35lbs.  

Babywearing success comes down to practice and awareness, so make sure to follow these tips!

• Learn the safety pitfalls: It is so important to be aware of the potential dangers of improper baby wearing such as suffocation and incorrect seat placement. Being confident in your knowledge of how to wear and adjust your carrier is crucial for an overall enjoyable experience.

• Be aware of baby’s readiness to babywear: Consider baby’s weight as well as overall size, height and development. A carrier may have a minimum weight capacity however your newborn may not be big enough to meet the recommended position when in a specific carrier, for example, baby’s head should be above the top panel of the carrier and baby’s airways uncovered and visible.

• Memorize the TICKS rules: TICKS stands for Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss (the top of baby’s head), Keep chin off chest, Supported back. These are the basic, essential safety guidelines to check when babywearing.

• Pay attention to your balance: According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, 22% of babywearing-related injuries between 2011-2022 occurred due to the caregiver falling. Babywearing changes your center of gravity, so pay special attention to your balance when carrying your little one. Be sensible too with your choice of activities while baby wearing and whether these are in alignment with your current season.

• Babywearing videos and 1-1 support: Watching videos, especially from baby wearing experts, can be incredibly helpful to gain insight and confidence in wearing. Reaching out to a babywearing educator or consultant for 1-1 support can also be beneficial to assist you with gaining knowledge on correct wear in a specific carrier. It enables you to ask specific questions and helps you to achieve a comfortable, secure fit in real time.Wildbird offers free virtual babywearing support with a babywearing educator. 

• Practice: Learning to use a baby carrier can take practice. Sometimes it is helpful to practice with a doll to become familiar with correct positioning and adjusting the carrier. Practicing with your baby in front of a mirror can also be helpful to ensure correct positioning. With time, you’ll be able to put on the carrier and place your baby inside in a safe position in just a few minutes if not faster.  

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  Choose a flexible carrier: Easy to adjust, versatile carriers will serve you and your family as your child grows older, especially if you choose an option that will comfortably accommodate the best fit for you as well as the other potential wearers in your family. Note: The size of the carrier (S,M,L,XL) is designed for the wearer. The weight capacity of the carrier is indicated for the baby’s weight and the carrier can then be adjusted to accommodate changes in baby’s weight and growth. 

You can start baby-wearing at any point in your infant’s life, from their first days in the world to well into toddlerhood. You’ll need to assess your baby’s readiness and choose a baby carrier that’ll fit their specific size and stage of development as well as be in alignment with your own particular season of life. Learning about the carrier and gaining confidence in safe, comfortable wearing will give you and your child an enjoyable experience.

With no lower weight limit, the Ring Sling is fantastic for newborns and babies who weigh up to 35 pounds. It bridges the gap between baby wraps and traditional carriers thanks to its adjustable set-up. Keep in mind that when wearing baby in the RingSling, she needs to be worn high enough to kiss the top of her head and her head needs to be above the top panel of the carrier, with face and airways always visible. Creating a deep seat with the fabric running knee to knee is also important.  Another option, made specifically with the newborn in mind, is the Aerial Buckle Wrap. It offers the perfect balance of a wrap, with the soft, snug support, and the ease and comfort of a buckle carrier.The Aerial Buckle Wrap is recommended for babies 7lbs to 15lbs,so typically from newborn to around 3-5months but can be used to around 6months as it is tested up to 25lbs.  Your baby’s head should sit above the top panel of the wrap with face and airways always visible. For a convenient buckle carrier that’ll support your child into toddlerhood, the Aerial Buckle Carrier provides maximum comfort and adjustability for both you and your baby. It has a weight capacity of 7lbs to 45lbs however it is recommended that most babies are ready to be worn in this carrier from 2 months to 24 months. Wildbird considers baby’s overall size and development and therefore when positioned in the Aerial Buckle Carrier, your baby’s mid-ear should be positioned above the top panel, with her face and airways visible. 

WildBird created these three carriers (Aerial Buckle Wrap, Aerial Buckle Carrier and Ring Sling) to make babywearing more convenient for every stage and season of baby’s development as well as to accommodate different preferences for parents. All three carriers are compliant with safety regulations and acknowledged as "Hip-Healthy" by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.  No matter which you choose, keep in mind your baby’s overall readiness for that choice as well as the safety guidelines for that carrier and with practice, you’ll be ready to start baby-wearing with confidence!