Frequently asked Babywearing Questions.....
In the course of my work as a Babywearing Consultant, I'm asked many questions about Babywearing. I've tried to include the most frequently asked questions here and will continue to update as time goes on. If you have any babywearing questions, feel free to contact me using the button below or by emailing me info@leanbhbabywearing.ie.
What age can I start carrying my baby from (and to)?
It’s possible to carry your baby from birth right through to preschool age and beyond! Be gentle on yourself though and don’t try to do too much straight after birth. Resting is important but in reality we still need and want to go out and it’s so handy to be able to babywear, keeping your new baby up close, safe and warm while you are around the house or going out and about can really make the difference, as we so often hear that "my newborn won't let me put her down for a minute". Alwyays listen to your body though, and don't overdo it. Especially in those first few weeks. Sometimes there can be special circumstances where babywearing as you had previously imagined isn't possible and being in touch with a qualified babywearing consultant for support with slings can really help during this time.
Can my baby sleep in the sling?
Yes! You might find that your baby falls asleep pretty much everytime they’re put into the sling! That’s why it’s said that slings come with sleepy dust ☺ You might find that when your baby falls asleep an adjustment might be needed, such as correcting positioning, adding neck support or retightening your sling.
Can I forward face out my baby in the sling?
While a limited number of ergonomic carriers offer forward facing or world facing as an option, it is usually only recommended to be used from approx 6mths of age and for approx 20mins at a time. As a guide to when you might know your baby could be world faced, they should be able to sit independently and have very good head and neck control. Babies can become overstimulated while facing away from their parent and it can be harder to read their cues. Your baby must be turned back to parent facing position for sleeping. When world facing, it's important to keep an eye on your little one, check they're comfortable and happy and when you think they might have had enough, turn them back to parent facing position. An alternative option to world facing would be a hip carry or a high back carry, many soft structured carriers can be used for hip carries, as can mei tai, ring slings, woven wraps and hybrid stretchy wraps.
What about their hips?
Ergonomic slings and carriers promote the healthy hip position. Baby’s back is supported in the natural curve of the spine and knees are supported in the "M" position. See this infographic by Sheffield Sling Surgery.
Excerpt from Sheffield Sling Surgery:
1) Classic high-street narrow-based carrier. The legs are hanging downwards, entirely unsupported. The infantile hip-socket is taking the full weight of the legs and there will be a lot of unhelpful strain. It is similar to balancing on a beam at the gym with all the weight being borne on a narrow strap between the legs. Baby’s back may be straightened, meaning their head is able to fall backwards, needing rigid head and neck support.
2) A slightly wider-based carrier. This is better, but the legs are still not well supported with the knees lower than the bottom. The weight of the unsupported leg will drag down on the still-forming hip joint, and baby’s weight is still not very widely distributed across the base.
3) A properly fitting, wide-based carrier. Observe the M-shape that has been created, with the thighs securely supported all the way to the knees, which are held above the bottom. The hip joints are in the optimal position, and there is no weight at all dragging down on the joint. Orthopaedic consultants recommend thighs to be resting at an angle of 100 degrees from the midline.
4) Side on view of the M-shape position, showing how there is no downward strain on the socket and the child is supported widely across a large proportion of their base. The baby is clearly seated comfortably with their weight widely distributed, and the gentle curve of their spine protected. This baby’s upper body will be supported against the parent with head resting on parent’s chest, and rigid head supports are not needed (using natural anatomical positions).
1) Classic high-street narrow-based carrier. The legs are hanging downwards, entirely unsupported. The infantile hip-socket is taking the full weight of the legs and there will be a lot of unhelpful strain. It is similar to balancing on a beam at the gym with all the weight being borne on a narrow strap between the legs. Baby’s back may be straightened, meaning their head is able to fall backwards, needing rigid head and neck support.
2) A slightly wider-based carrier. This is better, but the legs are still not well supported with the knees lower than the bottom. The weight of the unsupported leg will drag down on the still-forming hip joint, and baby’s weight is still not very widely distributed across the base.
3) A properly fitting, wide-based carrier. Observe the M-shape that has been created, with the thighs securely supported all the way to the knees, which are held above the bottom. The hip joints are in the optimal position, and there is no weight at all dragging down on the joint. Orthopaedic consultants recommend thighs to be resting at an angle of 100 degrees from the midline.
4) Side on view of the M-shape position, showing how there is no downward strain on the socket and the child is supported widely across a large proportion of their base. The baby is clearly seated comfortably with their weight widely distributed, and the gentle curve of their spine protected. This baby’s upper body will be supported against the parent with head resting on parent’s chest, and rigid head supports are not needed (using natural anatomical positions).
How long can I carry my baby for?
Whilst there is no actual time restriction for how long your baby can be in the sling, as young babies need feeding and changing every hour or two, especially for the first 6 weeks, they'll be in and out of the sling often during the day. There may be a period in the day that they have a longer nap and that's ok too. For older children, they will naturally want to be crawling, walking or running so their time in the sling (sadly) lessens as they grow. It's important to continue to monitor your baby in the sling, ensure their positioning is correct, their airways are open and protected and that they're wearing appropriate clothing depending on the weather. Being responsive and actively monitoring and adjusting them when needed whilst in the sling will help keep them comfortable and content.
Can I feed in this sling?
Absolutely! Breastfeeding a newborn is a skill in itself and is one that is best taught by a trained babywearing consultant. My personal preference for breastfeeding a newborn would be using a stretchy wrap. With a few adjustments to the carry, you can arrange your baby in a side carry and the sling is used as a breastfeeding aid, rather than hands-free breastfeeding. You will need to support your baby's head and possibly your breast whilst you feed. It's important to note that your baby must be repositioned back into the standard carry (pocket wrap cross carry in a stretchy wrap) once they're finished nursing. It is also possible to do paced bottle feeding in this position.
For an older baby where they have better head and neck control, possibly from 3 months of age (this depends on factors such as head/neck control) you might start to practice upright feeding where your baby remains in the upright position and the sling is adjusted slightly for feeding. Once feeding is done, your baby will need to be readjusted in the sling and it may need to be retied or retightened.
Be aware of the clothing you're wearing - is it breastfeeding friendly? Do you have easy access to your breast without having to lift a layer of clothing from underneath the sling? I found that breastfeeding tops were invaluable for feeding in the sling, especially in the early months.
Don’t ever allow your little one to sleep at the breast in the sling as they are not in the optimal position and there could be restrictions to their airways if they are slumped into a loose sling.
Can I babywear in the rain/snow?
Yes! It’s best to layer both yourself and your baby. Each layer of sling fabric over your baby constitutes a layer of clothing, so a meh dai would be one layer over their torso where a stretchy wrap would be three layers and could cover their legs and feet too. The parts of the body outside of the sling (usually head, arms, legs) would need an extra layer to keep warm such as a babyhood, a light fleece or cardigan and leggings, tights, babylegs or even just and extra pair of socks can keep your baby snug. There are other options such as babywearing covers, babywearing fleece jackets and babywearing waterproof coats that you can buy to cover both of you from the elements. Some people just wear an oversize jacket or rainmac.
And what about the sun?
For those couple of summer days we are lucky to get here in Ireland, or for those lovely holidays abroad in the sun, it's best to be prepared. The general rule of thumb is that suncream is suitable from 6 months and up. Be aware of keeping your child out of direct sunlight. Dress them appropriately, be it in some UV resistant clothing, a vest, in an all-in-one shorts set or just a nappy depending on the temperature, you can determine how to dress them to keep them comfortable. Think light layers during warmer months. When in the sling, you might like to place an opened muslin cloth between both of you to wick away any moisture. Your little one may need more frequent feeding and a soft wide brimmed baby sunhat will be a great investment. There are other options such as specialised babywearing covers and baby blankets and babylegs (baby legwarmers) offering UV protection that you can drape over your little one or even just use a sun umbrella for walking! Be sensible and err on the side of caution. Keep your little one out of direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. Find a shady spot to hang out and most of all, enjoy yourselves!
What sling or carrier would you recommend?
There's not one sling or carrier that I would recommend for any stage of babywearing. The slings and carriers that I stock in my online shop are ones that I've used with my own children and I've tried and tested myself. This means that I'm also in a position to give you practical tips and advice on those carriers as I've been using them for years.
In all cases, I would recommend that you choose a sling or carrier from a reputable and reliable brand and that you check that it's been made to the appropriate market standards and offers a good customer service such as having links to tutorials on how to use their sling, come with a warranty, has an active social media page and good customer reviews.
It's best to choose an adjustable soft structured carrier or meh dai over a carrier that requires an additional infant insert as they're easier to use.
SSC's and Meh dai come in woven wrap and canvas fabrics with various shoulder options such as padded or wrap strap. Meh Dai also come as a half buckle that have a buckle on the waistband rather than straps to tie. Adjustable is the key here too and they are usually sized into baby size from 0-18m, toddler 18-36m, preschool up to age 5+ depending on the brand.
Ring slings should have aluminium sling rings (rather than plastic).
Stretchy wraps come in 1 way stretch and 2 way stretch. 1 way stretch only stretches horizontally (which can cause it to be harder to tighten properly) 2 way stretchy wrap stretches both horizontally and vertically and can be easier to use as the extra stretch means there's more elastic to help you achieve the correct tightness for a safe carry. My own preference is a 2 way stretchy wrap such as Love Radius and Boba.
Woven Wrap is chosen by desired length and fabric. The length of the fabric will determine what carries you can achieve with the wrap.
If you want a hand choosing a sling or asking if what you're looking at is suitable, feel free to get in touch.
Whilst there is no actual time restriction for how long your baby can be in the sling, as young babies need feeding and changing every hour or two, especially for the first 6 weeks, they'll be in and out of the sling often during the day. There may be a period in the day that they have a longer nap and that's ok too. For older children, they will naturally want to be crawling, walking or running so their time in the sling (sadly) lessens as they grow. It's important to continue to monitor your baby in the sling, ensure their positioning is correct, their airways are open and protected and that they're wearing appropriate clothing depending on the weather. Being responsive and actively monitoring and adjusting them when needed whilst in the sling will help keep them comfortable and content.
Can I feed in this sling?
Absolutely! Breastfeeding a newborn is a skill in itself and is one that is best taught by a trained babywearing consultant. My personal preference for breastfeeding a newborn would be using a stretchy wrap. With a few adjustments to the carry, you can arrange your baby in a side carry and the sling is used as a breastfeeding aid, rather than hands-free breastfeeding. You will need to support your baby's head and possibly your breast whilst you feed. It's important to note that your baby must be repositioned back into the standard carry (pocket wrap cross carry in a stretchy wrap) once they're finished nursing. It is also possible to do paced bottle feeding in this position.
For an older baby where they have better head and neck control, possibly from 3 months of age (this depends on factors such as head/neck control) you might start to practice upright feeding where your baby remains in the upright position and the sling is adjusted slightly for feeding. Once feeding is done, your baby will need to be readjusted in the sling and it may need to be retied or retightened.
Be aware of the clothing you're wearing - is it breastfeeding friendly? Do you have easy access to your breast without having to lift a layer of clothing from underneath the sling? I found that breastfeeding tops were invaluable for feeding in the sling, especially in the early months.
Don’t ever allow your little one to sleep at the breast in the sling as they are not in the optimal position and there could be restrictions to their airways if they are slumped into a loose sling.
Can I babywear in the rain/snow?
Yes! It’s best to layer both yourself and your baby. Each layer of sling fabric over your baby constitutes a layer of clothing, so a meh dai would be one layer over their torso where a stretchy wrap would be three layers and could cover their legs and feet too. The parts of the body outside of the sling (usually head, arms, legs) would need an extra layer to keep warm such as a babyhood, a light fleece or cardigan and leggings, tights, babylegs or even just and extra pair of socks can keep your baby snug. There are other options such as babywearing covers, babywearing fleece jackets and babywearing waterproof coats that you can buy to cover both of you from the elements. Some people just wear an oversize jacket or rainmac.
And what about the sun?
For those couple of summer days we are lucky to get here in Ireland, or for those lovely holidays abroad in the sun, it's best to be prepared. The general rule of thumb is that suncream is suitable from 6 months and up. Be aware of keeping your child out of direct sunlight. Dress them appropriately, be it in some UV resistant clothing, a vest, in an all-in-one shorts set or just a nappy depending on the temperature, you can determine how to dress them to keep them comfortable. Think light layers during warmer months. When in the sling, you might like to place an opened muslin cloth between both of you to wick away any moisture. Your little one may need more frequent feeding and a soft wide brimmed baby sunhat will be a great investment. There are other options such as specialised babywearing covers and baby blankets and babylegs (baby legwarmers) offering UV protection that you can drape over your little one or even just use a sun umbrella for walking! Be sensible and err on the side of caution. Keep your little one out of direct sunlight during the hottest hours of the day. Find a shady spot to hang out and most of all, enjoy yourselves!
What sling or carrier would you recommend?
There's not one sling or carrier that I would recommend for any stage of babywearing. The slings and carriers that I stock in my online shop are ones that I've used with my own children and I've tried and tested myself. This means that I'm also in a position to give you practical tips and advice on those carriers as I've been using them for years.
In all cases, I would recommend that you choose a sling or carrier from a reputable and reliable brand and that you check that it's been made to the appropriate market standards and offers a good customer service such as having links to tutorials on how to use their sling, come with a warranty, has an active social media page and good customer reviews.
It's best to choose an adjustable soft structured carrier or meh dai over a carrier that requires an additional infant insert as they're easier to use.
SSC's and Meh dai come in woven wrap and canvas fabrics with various shoulder options such as padded or wrap strap. Meh Dai also come as a half buckle that have a buckle on the waistband rather than straps to tie. Adjustable is the key here too and they are usually sized into baby size from 0-18m, toddler 18-36m, preschool up to age 5+ depending on the brand.
Ring slings should have aluminium sling rings (rather than plastic).
Stretchy wraps come in 1 way stretch and 2 way stretch. 1 way stretch only stretches horizontally (which can cause it to be harder to tighten properly) 2 way stretchy wrap stretches both horizontally and vertically and can be easier to use as the extra stretch means there's more elastic to help you achieve the correct tightness for a safe carry. My own preference is a 2 way stretchy wrap such as Love Radius and Boba.
Woven Wrap is chosen by desired length and fabric. The length of the fabric will determine what carries you can achieve with the wrap.
If you want a hand choosing a sling or asking if what you're looking at is suitable, feel free to get in touch.
