When Can I Carry My Baby in a Carrier?

Baby carriers can offer both parents and their babies profound benefits such as deeper bonding, increased support for carrying, and much more. Since babywearing can help make the busy life of a parent or caregiver much more manageable, you’re probably wondering, ‘when can I put my baby in a baby carrier?’

In this blog, we’ll review when it’s safe to use a carrier and how babywearing can improve your day-to-day with a tiny human in tow. Plus, we’ll offer some key things to look out for when deciding on the right carrier, and how Tushbaby can provide you and your baby with the most support, versatility, and easy wearing. (And the more you learn about Tushbaby, the more obvious it will become that you need one in your life.)

When Can I Put My Baby in a Carrier?

When is a baby carrier right for a baby?

If you’re wondering how soon you can babywear to go out and about or even just to carry baby around the house, there are a few things to consider. Given your baby has no medical conditions that would prevent a carrier from being safe, a baby carrier can be used as soon as you are ready to baby wear. That’s right, even on day one!

Much like many decisions you’ll make as a parent, the choice of when to start using a baby carrier is ultimately up to what feels right for you and your baby. Some mothers will wait a bit after birth to give their body time to rest, and some will have their baby carrier ready to go before they even leave for the hospital. You’ll just need to ensure you are using a carrier that is safe for your baby’s weight and age.

When can I carry my baby in a carrier after birth?

0-4 months old: As we mentioned, it’s typically okay to start reaping the benefits of baby wearing right after your baby is born. With a newborn 0-4 months, remember that they haven’t quite developed the strength to support their head—you’ll need to choose a carrier that allows your baby to relax or rest their head safely against your body, or one that allows you to support it.

Wraps and slings can be an option for baby wearing in the early months, and so can Tushbaby! Tushbaby is a hip seat carrier with an open-style ergonomic design, five roomy storage pockets, and even built-in lumbar support. It can be used right from birth as a breastfeeding pillow—simply strap it high and tight above your natural waist, lay your baby on the plush pad, and let Tushbaby absorb the weight as it supports your posture and back.

4-7 months old: Between 4-7 months, your little one may be able to hold their noggin up alone, which makes this the perfect time to start babywearing with a comfortable carrier. You’ll have more options at this point, but wouldn’t it be nice to just keep the same newborn carrier you already own? The good news is that with Tushbaby, you can. Tushbaby grows with your child’s ever-changing needs as they grow, with four total carry positions to shift between throughout your day (and throughout their early years of life). With your baby’s weight evenly distributed across your torso, you’ll surely notice the difference on your body with Tushbaby’s built-in lumbar support and padded waistband.

For many parents, this stage can be when they return to work, which can cause them to experience postpartum separation anxiety. Leaving your caregiver with a proper carrier can help ease postpartum separation anxiety by providing peace of mind that your baby will be comforted just the same when they are with others. With the Tushbaby carrier’s adjustable waistband and the option to add a Waistband Extender, this carrier can be used by all family and friends. Plus, Tushbaby’s five storage pockets help you pack along your baby’s favorite toys, and both of your necessities.

8-12 months old: At 8-12 months, your baby will likely have strong control of their head and neck. This is a great time to introduce (or continue taking advantage of) the forward-facing carrying position with your Tushbaby hip seat carrier. Your baby will certainly be more curious about their surroundings at this age, and this is a great way to share that with them!

At this stage, you can use your Tushbaby in all four carry positions, including: the feeding position, face-to-face, side carrying, and front-facing. Your baby will be happy to switch it up, meaning you can carry them for longer, allowing you to go about your day without fuss.

When can I carry my toddler in a carrier?

12+ months old: Your carrying experience will start to look a little different as your baby gets older and becomes much more mobile on their own. Once your baby starts walking and entering the toddler phase, you’ll find it much more common for them to want to get down and explore more independently and more often. While this independence can be a welcomed change, your toddler will likely still want or need to be carried many times.

So, what’s the best way to carry a toddler?

With the constant up and down of carrying toddlers, using a carrier that’s simple and quick to get your baby out of is key. The Tushbaby carrier lets you quickly pick up and put down your baby without any complicated wrapping or strapping. Let’s be real; that’s not the case with other carriers like slings and wraps. Toddlers will appreciate the chance to get down and explore with the comfort of knowing they can get picked back up again ASAP.

How much weight do carriers hold?

The amount of weight baby carriers hold can vary with different types and brands of carriers, so make sure to read the instruction manual or manufacturer’s website for any age and weight limitations. The Tushbaby hip seat carrier can be used for kids up to 3 years old, or 45 lbs, and can be used in tons of carrying positions throughout your baby’s first three years of life! Talk about an excellent investment. ;)

When should I NOT carry my baby in a carrier?

With all the benefits that come with using a baby carrier, it’s important to know some of the common reasons you should opt not to carry a baby in a carrier:

The carrier isn’t age or developmentally appropriate: Carriers can be designed for specific ages and weights, meaning your baby could be too small or even outgrow a carrier. This will compromise the safety of your baby in that carrier.

(The Tushbaby carrier can be used right from birth for children up to 3 years of age or 45 pounds, so you can really keep using it until you practically can’t carry your baby anymore. Huge win.)

When baby’s hips aren’t properly positioned: Some baby carriers, which can include slings and wraps, may interfere with healthy hip positioning, hindering the development of your baby’s hips. Tushbaby’s hip seat carriers are safe for baby hips with a seat that supports optimum hip growth and health by positioning your baby’s legs in the Pediatrician-recommended ‘M’ squat position.

When you experience body strain: Carrying a baby without a carrier can unquestionably cause your body pain, but so can a carrier that isn’t worn properly or isn’t suited for your needs. The added weight of a baby without proper support can put pressure on your upper body and add stress to your arms, shoulder, and neck.

Not all carriers will alleviate this strain. For example, some complaints around slings and wraps are the inability to evenly distribute a baby’s weight, causing the carrier to pull on the wearer’s neck or arms. In addition, having to reach around your body to wrap or buckle a complicated carrier can cause shoulder, neck, or arm strain.

Tushbaby is the best baby carrier option to avoid any unneeded strain from babywearing. Because the Tushbaby hip seat carrier sits high and tight above your hips, your muscles and joints are protected, leaving your back, neck, and shoulders supported day in and day out with the built-in lumbar support. Not to mention, the hip seat carrier evenly distributes your baby’s weight across your body, meaning no pulling or strain on the neck or shoulders like with other carriers.

Because life doesn’t stop just because you have a baby. . . enlist Tushbaby to start babywearing today!