Parenting
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Babywearing: Benefits, safety, and how to get started
Medically Reviewed Dr. Leslie M. Treece (MD, board-certified pediatrician), Dr. David Ghozland (MD, board-certified OB/GYN), and Debbie Gerken (Certified NICU Nurse)
Written by Cradlewise Staff
Babywearing is often framed as a convenience, a way to get your hands back while your baby naps against your chest. That’s true, but it often doesn’t give the entire picture and undersells what’s actually happening. Carrying your baby close calms their nervous system, supports their development, and makes the early months a little more manageable for you too. No wonder, for centuries, parents around the world have carried their little ones in slings, wraps, or cloths, long before “babywearing” had a name.
In this guide, we take you through the benefits of babywearing, T.I.C.K.S. rule for safe babywearing, types of carriers, and how to choose the right carrier for you and your baby.
We also spoke with an OB-GYN, a pediatrician, a licensed marriage and family therapist, and a certified NICU nurse to understand what babywearing actually does, and how to do it safely.
- Dr. Leslie M. Treece, M.D., F.A.A.P., a board-certified pediatrician
- Dr. David Ghozland, MD, board-certified OB/GYN at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and UCLA Medical Center, and Founder of Intimate Health Center in Santa Monica
- Debbie Gerken, a Certified Registered NICU Nurse, Certified Pediatric Gentle Sleep Coach, Postpartum Parent Educator, and founder of Sleep Like a Baby Consulting
What is babywearing?
Babywearing means carrying your baby against your body in a wrap, sling, or structured carrier, rather than in your arms, a stroller, or a bassinet. It keeps your hands free while keeping your little one snug, comforted, and secure almost like recreating the closeness of the womb.
It’s not a new trend: caregivers have carried babies this way for thousands of years, across nearly every culture. The only things that have changed are the range of carrier styles now available, and our understanding about why babywearing works so well.
Benefits of babywearing
Babywearing benefits go well beyond freeing up your hands. Here’s what our experts had to say about the areas where it matters most.
1. Calms a baby’s nervous system
Debbie Gerken, RN, Certified NICU Nurse, adds: “A crib or stroller, while safe and important for independent sleep, doesn’t offer that same multi-sensory regulation and womb-like experience.”
2. Supports language development
She adds: Narrating everyday activities, such as stating ‘We are walking to the kitchen to prepare breakfast,’ serves to enhance vocabulary acquisition and foster interpersonal connection. Singing, especially repetitive songs, also supports rhythm and memory for language patterns.
Cradlewise Tip: Maintaining eye contact with your baby during these conversations helps.
3. Supports parental mental health
“ The physical contact increases oxytocin (the “bonding hormone”), which supports emotional regulation for both baby and parent. Parents often find babywearing boosts their confidence and lets them comfort their baby while completing daily tasks. This can help reduce stress and may lower risk for postpartum depression or anxiety.”
Here, a little knowledge of matrescence helps to understand the physical, psychological, and emotional changes you have gone through on your journey to motherhood. Matrescence is the process of becoming a mother. When you are wearing your baby, your brain gets the message that your baby is safe and you feel less anxiety.
4. Helps older siblings adjust
If you have an older child, they may experience strong feelings of displacement and also go through regression.
“ Babywearing provides rhythmic movement, warmth, and the familiar sound of a parent’s heartbeat and voice, cues that mimic the environment they experienced in utero. This sensory input helps regulate a baby’s nervous system, especially in the newborn months when the nervous system is still immature, reducing cortisol (stress hormone) and promoting a state of calm alertness.”
Cradlewise Tip: Take breaks from babywearing every now and then to make physical space for the older child.
5. Supports breastfeeding
A study done in Italy found that using a baby carrier in the first month was linked to a longer breastfeeding duration.
The reason being, babywearing keeps you physically close to your baby throughout the day, which makes it easier to catch their early hunger cues before a full-blown hungry cry sets in.
6. Soothing for tummies
The upright position in most carriers may ease reflux and trapped gas. A clinical review confirms that gravity helps reduce reflux symptoms when infants are held upright. Babywearing becomes gentle tummy therapy.
7. Healing touch for preemies
“Kangaroo care”, the close skin-to-skin contact used for preterm babies has been shown to improve survival, stabilize breathing, and support weight gain. Your body becomes the safest, most loving incubator.
How to use a baby carrier
Babywearing looks a little different depending what stage you are currently in: pregnant, recovering from a C-section, breastfeeding, or carrying more than one baby at a time. Here’s what to know for each.
Babywearing while pregnant
Babywearing is generally safe for most healthy pregnancies. However, Dr. Ghozland advises moms to be careful of their body’s changing balance and center of gravity.
“ I recommend positioning the carrier above or below the bump rather than directly over it, so there’s no added pressure on the abdomen. That said, absolutely no babywearing if there’s preterm labor risk, placenta previa, or any condition where a fall or added strain carries may cause serious complications.”
Also, if you’re wearing an older child while pregnant, check in with your provider about what feels safe for you specifically, since balance and comfort shift as your pregnancy progresses.
Babywearing after a C-section
Dr. Ghozland adds: The skin itself closes in about two weeks, but the fascia underneath, the tough connective layer holding the abdominal wall together, takes much longer to regain its function.
Dr. Ghozland further advises to check if you can twist at the torso without pain, or cough or laugh without guarding the incision. If it’s pain-free, you can start off with a soft wrap or sling and build up wearing time gradually from there.
How to nurse while babywearing
Nursing in a carrier takes some practice, and gradually becomes second nature. La Leche League Canada recommends practicing when your baby is awake and calm, rather than mid-feed for the first try.
Your baby should sit with their weight on their bottom and their legs in a “froggy” position, knees slightly higher than their bottom, whether or not you’re actively nursing. Loosening the carrier slightly to bring your baby to breast height, then re-tightening after the feed, is the general technique most wraps and slings support.
For more detailed guidance, refer to La Leche League’s babywearing and breastfeeding guide and Health Canada’s baby carrier safety guidance.
Babywearing for twins
Wearing twins is entirely possible, whether with a double carrier designed for two, or by each caregiver wearing one baby at a time. Many parents find it easiest to start by wearing one twin while the other is held or resting nearby, then work up to wearing both once you’re both comfortable with the technique.
T.I.C.K.S. rule for safe babywearing
However you choose to carry your baby, safety comes first. T.I.C.K.S. is a simple, widely used guidance for checking that your carrier is positioned correctly, every time.
- Tight: Your carrier should hug your baby snugly against you. A loose carrier lets your baby slump, which can affect their breathing, and adds strain to your own back.
- In view at all times: You should be able to glance down and see your baby’s face without adjusting the straps of the carrier.
- Close enough to kiss: If you tilt your head down, you should be able to kiss the top of your baby’s head. If you have to lean further, raise the carrier.
- Keep chin off chest: There should be room between your baby’s chin and chest, roughly two finger-widths, so their airway stays clear.
- Supported back: Your baby’s back should be supported in its natural position, without slumping.
Can babywearing cause hip dysplasia?
Babywaring doesn’t cause hip dysplasia as long as it supports your baby in a natural “M” position. In fact, cultures where babywearing is a norm have low rates of hip dislocations in babies.
The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recommends the “M-position,” with your baby’s thighs spread around your torso and knees slightly higher than their bottom, supported rather than dangling. When the hips are straighter, then more spread helps maintain the healthy position.
Carriers that let your baby’s legs hang straight down, with all their weight on the crotch rather than the thighs, should be avoided.
Cradlewise Note: The International Hip Dysplasia Institute also recommends facing your baby inward, toward you, for at least the first 6 months. It’s more ergonomic for you to carry, and comforts your baby when they see your face, rather than facing outwards alone.
Additional safety tips for babywearing
- Monitor your baby’s temperature, especially in warm rooms or climates, since they’ll warm up faster when pressed close to your body.
- Check your carrier regularly for wear and tear, and replace it once fabric or buckles show signs of aging.
- Follow your baby’s cues. If they seem uncomfortable or overheated, take them out and try something else.
- Practice babywearing for short time periods first, then build up to longer periods once you’re both comfortable.
- A good general rule: what you wouldn’t do while holding your baby in your arms, don’t do it while babywearing.
Types of carriers
The best carrier is the one that fits your baby’s age, your comfort, and how you plan to use it. Here’s a quick overview of the main types:
- Buckle carriers (soft-structured carriers): Padded, backpack-style straps with buckles; easy to put on, usable from infancy through toddlerhood depending on the brand
- Woven wraps: Long pieces of firm, non-stretch fabric; supportive and long-lasting
- Ring slings: Fabric worn over one shoulder, secured through two rings; quick to adjust and popular for nursing
- Stretchy wraps: Soft, stretchy fabric ideal for newborns under a few months old; compact and easy to store
- Half buckles / Mei Tais: A hybrid of structured and wrap-style carriers, with straps you tie rather than buckle
- Onbuhimos: A buckle-free, panel-style carrier without a waistband, often used for back-carrying older babies and toddlers
How to choose your baby carrier
Look for carriers that meet ASTM F2907 (the current U.S. safety standard) and these practical factors:
- Comfort: Try a few types if you can, since comfort for you and your baby matters as much as the carrier’s features
- Age and weight: Check the manufacturer’s age and weight guidelines before use
- Season and climate: A babywearing jacket or cover can extend how comfortably you wear your baby in cold weather, while breathable mesh options help in heat
- Activities: Some carriers, like ring slings, are favored for quick errands and nursing access, while structured carriers suit longer wear
Conclusion
Babywearing offers closeness and comfort, exactly when your baby needs it most, without asking you to put the rest of your life on hold.
Whether you’re recovering from birth, adjusting to two kids instead of one, or just looking for a calmer way of life through the newborn stretch, a well-fitted carrier and a little practice go a long way in forging a bond with your little one.
FAQs
Q: Does babywearing count as tummy time?
A: In a sense, yes. Being upright and supported in a carrier helps babies practice holding their head up and engages their core and back muscles, similar to supervised tummy time, though it shouldn’t fully replace dedicated tummy time on a flat surface.
Q: Can babywearing cause clogged ducts?
A: Babywearing itself doesn’t cause clogged ducts. If you’re nursing in a carrier, just make sure the fabric isn’t pressing directly on the breast tissue for extended periods, and change positions if you notice any tenderness.
Q: Are baby carriers bad for hips?
A: No, as long as they are used correctly, babywearing supports healthy hip development. The key is keeping your baby’s thighs spread and knees higher than their bottom, the “M-position,” rather than letting their legs hang straight down. Carriers that don’t support this position are the ones worth avoiding.
Q: Can I sit down while babywearing?
A: Yes, sitting down while babywearing is generally fine. Just move slowly and be mindful of your baby’s position and airway as you do, especially getting in and out of chairs or cars.
Q: How long can you babywear?
A: There’s no strict time limit. As long as your carrier fits well, your baby seems comfortable, and you’re following T.I.C.K.S., you can babywear for as long as it works for you.
Q: Can you babywear an infant?
A: Yes. Many carriers are specifically designed for newborns, or include an infant insert. Just be sure the carrier you choose meets your baby’s current weight and age recommendations.
Q: Is babywearing safe for newborns?
A: Yes, when the carrier supports your newborn’s head, neck, and hips properly, and you follow the T.I.C.K.S. rule. Newborns need extra head and neck support in particular, so choose a carrier designed for their age and weight.
You may also like:
- Fever after vaccines in babies: What’s normal and when to worry.
- How to freeze breast milk: Guidelines for new parents.
- 15 sweet things to put in your baby’s time capsule.
Sources:
- Supports breastfeeding. Acta Pediatr. 2012. Use of baby carriers to increase breastfeeding duration among term infants: the effects of an educational intervention in Italy.
- Soothing for tummies. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2011. The Efficacy of the Upright Position on Gastro-Esophageal Reflux and Reflux-Related Respiratory Symptoms in Infants With Chronic Respiratory Symptoms.
- Kangaroo Care. Pediatr Child Health. 2012. Kangaroo care for the preterm infant and family.
- How to nurse while babywearing. La Leche League Canada. 2023. Babywearing and breastfeeding.
- How to nurse while babywearing. Health Canada. 2025. Baby Sling and Carrier Safety.
- T.I.C.K.S Checklist. National Childbirth Trust. 2025. Baby slings and carriers: a guide.
- Can babywearing cause hip dysplasia. International Hip Dysplasia Institute. 2026. Baby Wearing.
- Carriers that meet ASTM F2907. CPSC. Sling Carriers Business Guidance.
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