Everything you need to know about baby wraps & carriers

Baby carriers have a reassuring and soothing effect: at birth, your baby needs close contact to feel secure; in this respect, babywearing is a perfect complement to breastfeeding — it allows your baby to become familiar with their new environment while providing reassurance and closeness.

The baby carrier supports better digestion and reduces reflux, as your child is in an upright position.

Baby carriers may also help reduce crying in babies: an American study published in the journal Pediatrics found that carrying babies reduced their crying by an average of half in babies carried for 4 hours per day. Beyond the reassuring nature of being carried, the needs of a frequently carried baby (such as hunger or sleep) tend to be met more quickly on average, which may explain fewer and shorter crying episodes.

Baby carriers are thought to support healthy psychomotor development, and better neck and back tone through adaptation to movement and changes in position.

Baby carriers may also stimulate the balance system through constant rocking, as well as the nervous system (smells, sounds, faces at their level, discovering a new environment…).

A newborn's back muscles, cartilage and joints are still developing; rigid carrying that forces the back into an upright position can lead to poor spinal development.

Non-physiological carrying prevents proper hip bone alignment and can cause or worsen hip dysplasia; this could not only delay walking but also cause long-term pain, into adulthood

For the person carrying, aside from discomfort, regular poor carrying technique can damage the back. If you feel the straps pulling, your baby's legs dangling, and you have back pain, your position or carrying method is probably not suitable. Do not hesitate to seek advice from a babywearing consultant.

If your baby is under 4–6 months old (this varies from baby to baby), carry your baby in a stretchy wrap and avoid structured baby carriers. Some manufacturers of structured carriers sell their models with newborn adaptors. However, these are not truly ergonomic and only provide support at the crotch area. 

On the other hand, if your baby is over 4 months old and you are heading out for a long walk or need to get on with things around the house, a structured baby carrier will be the most suitable option.

– The baby sling is the most versatile option, allowing you to carry your baby in several ways (front, side, back…).
– Ideal from birth.
– Carrying a baby in a sling does, however, require a certain technique and experience. Do not hesitate to seek advice from a (certified) babywearing instructor. Slings come in several lengths and fabrics.
– A stretchy woven sling is perfect when your baby is small, but less comfortable as they grow; it also requires several layers to support your child properly and must not become too loose (if the fabric becomes too slack, it should be replaced).
– A long sling is more versatile but also more difficult to handle.

Examples of baby slings: Baby wrap by JPMBB, Léo by Storchenwiege, Boba Wrap, or the Porte bébé by Studio Roméo if you want to combine babywearing and design

– The sling is the most physiological carrying method, as it provides genuine back support for the baby.
– It is easier to put on than a stretchy wrap, but requires asymmetric carrying on one shoulder (unless you use two slings).
 

Examples of slings: Little wrap without a knot by JPMBB or Bulline by Néobulle

– The structured baby carrier is very easy to set up and use.
– It is ideal if you need to put baby in and take them out frequently, but the adjustment options are limited.
– It should only be used once your child can sit up and naturally spreads their legs (around 4–6 months). Examples of structured baby carriers: Ergobaby, Manduca, Physiocarrier by JPMBB

The "Mei Tai" type of baby carrier is easier to use than wrap slings, and is highly adjustable in height and width, unlike a structured carrier — making it the "hybrid" option. Examples of Mei Tai carriers: the Didytai by Didymos, the Evolu'bulle by Néobulle, and the Babycarrier by Storchenwiege.

– The hammock carrier is easy to set up and takes up little space.
– It is suitable when the baby is older and carrying is for short periods.
– The carry is also asymmetric, and it remains less physiological for the baby than a wrap or sling.