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
Babywearing can feel like absolute magic. One minute you’re trying to make a cup of tea whilst holding a baby who only wants to be cuddled, the next minute you have two free hands and a calm, snuggly baby asleep on your chest.
But alongside all the lovely bits of babywearing, there’s also a lot of information out there about safety, positioning and what you should or shouldn’t be doing. For new parents especially, it can feel overwhelming.
The good news? Safe babywearing is usually very simple once you understand the basics.
Whether you’re using a ring sling, buckle carrier, stretchy wrap or woven wrap, the principles stay the same. In this guide we’ll go through the TICKS guidelines, how your baby should be positioned, common mistakes to avoid and practical tips to help you feel confident carrying your baby safely and comfortably.
A properly fitted sling or carrier should support your baby’s body and keep their airway clear whilst also being comfortable for you.
Most babywearing safety guidance focuses on two main things:
Young babies have very little head and neck control, so their positioning matters much more than it does for an older baby or toddler. A poorly adjusted sling or carrier can allow baby to slump into a position where breathing becomes restricted. Thankfully, once you know what to look for, it becomes second nature.
One of the easiest ways to remember safe babywearing principles is through the TICKS guidelines.
TICKS is a simple acronym used throughout the babywearing world to help parents remember the key principles of safe positioning.
Your sling or carrier should hold your baby snugly against your body.
A loose carrier can allow baby to slump down, which may affect their breathing and place strain on your back and shoulders too.
A good way to think about it is this. If you lean forwards slightly, your baby should stay close to your body and not pull away from you.
Tight does not mean squashed or rigid, but supportive enough that baby is held securely without sagging. A snug fit is usually more comfortable for everyone.
You should always be able to see your baby’s face simply by glancing down.
Fabric should never cover baby’s face and you should not need to move fabric aside to check on them. This is especially important with small babies and newborns.
If your baby has curled into your chest or sunk down into the carrier so that you can’t easily see their face, they need repositioning.
Your baby should be carried high enough on your body that you can easily kiss the top of their head. This usually means baby is sitting on your upper chest rather than low down near your stomach.
Babies carried too low are more likely to slump, and low carries can also place extra strain on your shoulders and lower back. If you find yourself hunching forwards to support the carrier, it usually needs tightening or repositioning.
Baby’s chin should never be pressed down onto their chest, you should be able to fit at least a finger width under their chin.
Young babies naturally have heavy heads compared to the rest of their bodies, and if their chin drops onto their chest it can partially close their airway. This is one of the most important parts of safe newborn positioning.
Their face should stay visible, their nose and mouth should remain clear and their head should be supported without forcing it forwards.
Your baby’s back should be well supported in its natural position. For young babies this often means a gently curved spine rather than being held bolt upright and flat.
A good carrier adjustment supports baby so they cannot slump sideways or backwards. If you place a hand on their back, it should feel supported and secure rather than loose or collapsing away from you.
Once you understand TICKS, the next step is understanding what a well-positioned baby looks like in a carrier.
You’ll often hear people talk about the “M position” or “frog leg position”. This simply means baby’s knees are positioned higher than their bottom, creating a natural spread squat shape. This position supports baby’s hips comfortably and allows their weight to be distributed evenly.
A good seat in the carrier should support baby from knee to knee without forcing their legs wider than feels natural. With very tiny newborns, the position may look less exaggerated because they naturally curl up more.
Newborns naturally have a rounded spine. Your carrier should support this natural curve rather than trying to straighten baby into a very upright posture.
As babies grow and gain head, neck and trunk control, their posture gradually changes. The aim is always support rather than forcing a position.
Young babies need enough support that their head doesn’t flop backwards, however, their face must still stay visible and clear.
A common mistake is pulling fabric too tightly over the back of baby’s head or allowing them to curl forwards into the wearer’s chest.
If your carrier has a hood or head support section, use it carefully and make sure it is not covering baby’s face or pushing their chin down.
Most babywearing mistakes happen because people are trying their best with a new skill whilst sleep deprived and distracted.
The good news is that most issues are very easy to fix.
This is probably the most common issue we see. Many people place baby much lower than ideal, especially when using a stretchy wrap or ring sling for the first time.
A low carry makes it harder to monitor baby’s face and often causes baby to slump. It also tends to feel uncomfortable for the wearer.
Bringing baby higher up on your chest usually improves comfort and positioning instantly.
Loose fabric allows baby to sink down into the carrier. This can create pressure points for the wearer whilst also making baby less supported.
When tightening your sling or carrier, try to remove slack evenly rather than pulling one section extremely tight.
Babies regulate temperature differently to adults, so it can feel tempting to bundle them up. Fresh air should always be able to circulate freely around their nose and mouth, if you’re using a babywearing coat or cover, keep checking that airflow remains clear.
Snowsuits and thick padded coats under a carrier are not recommended as bulky clothing compresses under the carrier and creates a false sense of tightness.
Once the fabric settles, baby may no longer be properly supported and it can also make it difficult to monitor positioning and temperature; thin layers are usually much safer and more practical.
One of the benefits of babywearing is that your body heat helps keep baby warm, so they often need fewer layers than you might expect.
If the carrier fabric is not spread correctly from knee to knee, baby may not feel fully supported. This can sometimes make them straighten their legs or push away from the wearer. Creating a deep seat with baby’s bottom lower than their knees usually improves comfort significantly.
Newborns need a little extra attention because they have limited head and neck control. The safest newborn positioning keeps baby upright, visible and close enough for easy monitoring.
Very young babies should not be curled tightly into a ball inside the carrier, and their airway should stay clear at all times.
If your baby was premature, has low muscle tone, respiratory concerns or any medical conditions, it’s always worth getting personalised advice from a trained babywearing consultant.
You do not need to wait until your baby is older to babywear though. Many slings and carriers are suitable from birth when adjusted correctly.
Yes, many babies sleep beautifully whilst being carried. You simply need to continue following the TICKS guidelines whilst they sleep.
Their chin should stay off their chest, their face should remain visible and they should stay well supported. It’s completely normal for babies to nap in carriers whilst you go about your day.
Parents often worry they are “doing it wrong”, especially if baby fusses whilst being put into the sling, many babies settle once the wearer starts moving.
Signs your baby is comfortable may include:
If something feels uncomfortable, painful or awkward, trust your instincts and readjust. Babywearing should not feel like a battle.
A fit check can make a huge difference to confidence, especially in the early days.
Sometimes one tiny adjustment completely changes how a carrier feels.
It’s worth getting support if:
Even experienced babywearers often benefit from another pair of eyes occasionally.
Safe babywearing doesn’t need to feel scary or complicated. Once you understand the basics of TICKS, positioning and support, most of it becomes intuitive very quickly.
The aim is not perfection. It’s responsive, comfortable carrying where both you and your baby feel supported.
Babywearing can make everyday life easier, calmer and more connected. Whether you’re soothing a newborn, chasing a toddler around the park or trying to drink a hot cup of tea with two free hands, a well-fitted sling or carrier can be an absolute game changer.
If you’re ever unsure, reach out for support. Sometimes a simple fit tweak is all it takes to turn babywearing from stressful into comfortable and enjoyable.
Happy babywearing!
