Babywearing is safe when done correctly. It can feel overwhelming but getting it right is straightforward once you know what to look for.
The TICKS guidelines are the internationally recognised babywearing safety framework. Every time you put your baby in a carrier, run through TICKS. It takes about ten seconds once it becomes habit, and it is worth doing every single time.
Worn babies cry an average of 51% less, sleep better and feel more settled. But a young baby cannot tell you if something is wrong. Ten seconds of checking means you never have to wonder.
T = Tight
Your carrier should hold baby snug against your body. If baby is slumping away from you, it is too loose.
A good test: lean forward slightly (supporting baby's head) and baby's body should stay against yours. You move as one unit. If baby sags or moves away, tighten up before you go anywhere.
Always fasten all buckles as per the manufacturer's instructions and tighten both straps evenly.
I = In view at all times
Baby's face should always be visible with a simple glance down.
Their head must be outside the carrier fabric at all times. Never cover it with a hood, muslin cloth or any other fabric. The carrier panel should come no higher than the base of baby's earlobes.
A note on sun protection: If you wish to, you can use one side of the hood to shade baby's head (keeping their face visible) or wear a wide brimmed hat yourself. You can also put a hat on baby but placing a hat directly on a baby can cause overheating, as the head is a primary source of heat redistribution in young children. So make sure you monitor your baby to ensure they are not getting too hot.
A sleeping baby should never have their face covered by any fabric at any time.
C = Close enough to kiss
Tip your head forward. You should be able to kiss the top of baby's head without straining. Their face should be on the firm part of your chest, not resting on soft breast tissue.
If you cannot reach easily, baby is sitting too low. Check the waistband position first, then tighten the shoulder straps. Baby should feel close, not distant.
For back carries, you should be able to gently nudge baby's forehead with the back of your head.
K = Keep chin off chest
Baby's chin should never be forced down onto their chest. This can restrict their airway, and a young baby's airway is small and easily compromised.
You should always be able to fit at least two finger widths between baby's chin and their chest. If you cannot, baby needs to be repositioned higher and the carrier tightened. The back of baby's neck should be supported by the carrier when they are young. If baby has an optimal spinal position their head should rest on your chest. If your baby's head is lolling back, your carrier might be too tight or baby's spine doesn't have a nice C/J shape with hips in the M position.
Once they have good head and neck control (usually around four months) you can have the carrier as low as their armpits while they are awake (if they want their arms out).
S = Supported spine and hips
Baby's back should be supported in its natural curved position. Think of a gentle C or J shape along their spine.
If baby's spine and body is not well supported (from neck to bottom vertically, and knee to knee horizontally) there may be an increased risk of asphyxiation, along with the risk of exacerbating pre-existing conditions like developmental dysplasia of the hips (DDH).
Knees should be higher than their bottom (the M position) for healthy hip development. The C/J shaped spine and M position also helps a baby's head to naturally rest on the wearer's chest rather than lolling back.
The carrier should be appropriately sized for your baby's physical size and adjusted as they grow. All our carriers are designed to do this by utilising the panel height and width adjusters.
Other things worth knowing
Always keep baby upright. Cradle carry is no longer recommended. It makes it virtually impossible to keep the chin off the chest, keep baby's face in view and monitor their airways safely. This also applies when breastfeeding in a carrier. As soon as baby finishes feeding or falls asleep, reposition them upright.
Check your carrier before every use. Run your hands over the seams, straps and buckles. If anything looks worn, frayed or damaged, contact your retailer or the manufacturer before using it again.
Padded rail or peanut shell slings passed on from family or friends are generally not adjustable and do not allow a young baby to be worn safely upright. If you are unsure about a carrier you have been given, bring it to a meet or send us a photo and we will take a look before you use it.
Forward facing is a topic in itself, but the short version: baby needs to be physically strong enough to hold their head above their own body without assistance before facing outward. If they fall asleep facing out, they must be turned inward immediately.
Frequently asked questions
Is babywearing safe for newborns? Yes, babywearing is safe for newborns when the TICKS guidelines are followed. The most important thing for a newborn is that the carrier is appropriate for their size. TICKS checks are especially important for a newborn since their airway is small and their neck muscles are not yet strong enough to hold their head independently.
How tight should a baby carrier be? Tight enough that baby cannot slump away from your body. You should be able to lean forward slightly and baby stays exactly where they are. If you can fit more than one or two fingers between baby's back and the carrier fabric, tighten it. If baby's head is lolling back or their middle spine is being pushed inward your carrier is too tight. Try to loosen off and do a pelvic tuck.
Can baby's face be covered in a carrier? No. Baby's face must be visible at all times with a simple glance. Never cover their face with a hood, muslin or any fabric. This applies when baby is asleep too.
What is the M position in babywearing? The M position refers to the shape baby's legs make when correctly positioned in a carrier (knees higher than bottom, with the carrier supporting from knee to knee). This position supports healthy hip development and is recommended by paediatric hip specialists.
What should I do if my carrier feels uncomfortable? Discomfort usually means something needs adjusting. The most common fixes are: waistband too low, shoulder straps too loose, or baby sitting too low. Come to one of our meets or send a photo and we can help you troubleshoot in a few minutes.
Is forward facing babywearing safe? Forward facing can be done safely, but only when baby is developmentally ready, that is, able to hold their head up independently with good head and trunk control. Their chin should also clear the top of the panel. It is significantly harder to monitor their airways and cues when facing out. If they fall asleep facing outward, turn them inward immediately. We don't stock forward facing carriers and would rather help you learn to back carry.
What carriers are not safe? Padded rail slings (sometimes called peanut shell slings) do not allow young babies to be worn safely upright and are generally not adjustable. If you have been given one, check with a babywearing educator before using it. Any carrier that is damaged (broken buckles, frayed seams, worn straps) should not be used. We also don't recommend carriers with a narrow base where a knee to knee position is not possible.
Still unsure? Come to a meet, send a photo or reply to the email that brought you here. There is no such thing as a silly question when it comes to babywearing safety, and most things take about five minutes to work through together.
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