Turnaround Time: Muslin, Mesh and Conversion Ring Slings – 5 – 7 working days | Wrap Conversions – 5 – 6 weeks
Turnaround Time: Muslin, Mesh and Conversion Ring Slings – 5 – 7 working days | Wrap Conversions – 5 – 6 weeks
One of the questions I get asked most often in workshops and consultations is some version of: “Which carry should I be using?” And honestly, the answer is almost always “it depends what you’re doing, how old your baby is, and how your body’s feeling that day”.
Babywearing isn’t a one-position-fits-all situation. Front, hip, and back carries each have their own strengths, and once you get comfortable with all three, you can pick whichever suits the moment; whether that’s a quick trip to the shops, a woodland walk, or a long day out with the whole family.
Here’s a rundown of when each position tends to shine.
Best for: newborns through to early walkers, roughly 0 months to around 12-18 months, though plenty of toddlers still love a front carry for naps or when they need to feel close.
Front carrying is where most of us start, and for good reason. With a newborn, having them tucked up against your chest means you can keep a close eye on their breathing, regulate their temperature with your own body heat, and respond quickly to feeding or settling cues. It’s also brilliant for bonding in those early weeks when everything feels a bit overwhelming.
Where it works well:
Weather considerations: Front carries are wonderfully warm, which is fantastic in winter (you become a built-in hot water bottle), but worth thinking about in summer. Two bodies pressed together generate heat, so on hot days look at lighter, more breathable fabrics, and keep an eye on both of your temperatures. A front carry in blazing sunshine with too many layers can get uncomfortable quickly for both of you.
A note on bigger babies: As babies grow, front carries can start to feel like you’re carrying a sack of potatoes glued to your front; lovely for connection, harder on your back and hips for long stretches. This is often the point when people start exploring hip and back carries for those more active days.
Best for: from around 4-6 months (once baby has decent head and trunk control) right through toddlerhood, and often the longest-serving position in a babywearing journey.
Hip carries are the unsung heroes of babywearing. They’re brilliant for the in-between stage. Baby’s too big and wriggly for endless front carries, but maybe not quite ready (or you’re not quite ready) for back carrying. They’re also just incredibly practical for day-to-day life.
Where it works well:
Weather considerations: Hip carries give baby a bit more airflow than a front carry, since less of their body is pressed against you. This makes them a good summer option; you can easily add a sun hat, and there’s more opportunity for baby to cool down. In colder weather, you’ll want to make sure the side touching you is well covered, as the “outside” side can get a bit chilly compared to a front carry.
A practical bonus: Hip carries are often the easiest position to get in and out of repeatedly, which makes them ideal for days with lots of stop-start moments. Think allotments, farm visits, or wandering round a National Trust garden where baby wants down to toddle, then back up two minutes later.
Best for: from around 6 months with good head, neck, and trunk control (always check your specific carrier’s guidance), and honestly useful well into the preschool years for tired legs on long days.
Back carries are where babywearing really comes into its own for proper adventures. Once you’ve got the hang of getting baby up safely, this position frees up both your hands completely, distributes weight beautifully across your whole back rather than just your front or one hip, and tends to be the comfiest option for longer stretches.
Where it works well:
Weather considerations: Back carries put baby slightly further from your body heat than a front carry, so in winter you may need to think a bit more about how baby is layered, particularly their legs and feet, which can be more exposed depending on the carrier. In summer, back carries tend to be cooler for both of you since there’s less full-body contact, making them a comfortable choice for warm-weather excursions. Just don’t forget sun protection for the back of baby’s head and neck, which can be easy to overlook when they’re behind you.
For longer days out like a trip to a country park, a family wedding, a festival, or travelling somewhere, it’s worth thinking about packing more than one carry option; or at least being confident in switching between positions.
A typical “big day out” might look like:
There’s no single “best” position, there’s the best position for this outing, this age and stage, and this weather. Front carries for the early days and sleepy moments, hip carries for curious babies and quick errands, and back carries for proper adventures and freeing up your hands. The real magic happens once you’re confident enough in a couple of positions to switch between them depending on what the day throws at you.
If you’d like some hands-on support working out which carries suit your baby’s age and your own body, that’s exactly the kind of thing we cover in my babywearing consultations, get in touch and we can find a time that works.
