Ways to Wear Your Baby & Toddler
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Smaller Babies
If your newborn appears to be fussy when in the
carrier, you can try the following three options.
You might also come up with your own methods and
ideas based on your intimate connection with your
individual baby.
1—Arrange a folded towel or one of our
Infant Support Pillows under the baby
from the baby’s bottom up to the head. Prop your
baby up high enough so that he/she may see out
(see
following section with information on our Infant
Support Pillow).
2—Turn your baby around, facing the opposite
direction from the manner in which
page 1 indicates. This way your baby’s head is
not down in the fabric that goes over your
shoulder (see Figure 3).
3—Try pinning your carrier up at the shoulder to
make it shorter. Some parents prefer the carrier
worn higher with small babies. If you prefer it
shorter, follow our instructions to make it
smaller, or exchange it for a smaller size.
(see
sections following on making your carrier smaller
and exchanges). |
Figure 2
Three week old baby using infant support pillow.
Figure 3
Facing Opposite Direction
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Babies Sitting Up
When your baby is old enough to sit up and hold
its head up, you can try the hip carry position
(see Figure 4). At this
stage (under two years) your baby will likely
prefer having their legs in the carrier rather
than hanging over the bottom edge. If your baby
has gotten used to being carried in the upright
position, then this method of carrying will likely
be preferred.
Figure 4—Hip Carry Position
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Figure 4
Hip Carry Position |
Wearing Baby on Side or Back
The previous directions show you how to put your
baby on in the front. To slide your baby around to
your side or back, grip the fabric with one hand,
steady your baby’s weight with the other hand,
sliding your carrier and baby around to the
desired position (see Figure 5).
After your baby reaches the rolling over or
crawling stage you will need to pay attention to
your baby’s movements when in your carrier. Your
baby is not buckled in and can climb or roll out
if trying to get down. You will feel this as it
begins, so reach around with one arm and bring
your baby back to the front again as needed.
Be sure to keep baby away
from hot stoves, heaters, fireplaces or other hot
or sharp objects. Pay attention to what your
baby is doing at all times!
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Figure 5
Baby Worn on Back |
Nursing or Sleeping Babies
To nurse, slide your baby near the breast that
you wish to nurse with. Pull the inside carrier
fabric down to expose your breast and help your
baby latch on. Tiny babies need support from one
of your arms until they can reach your breast on
their own (Figure 6).
For more private nursing or sleeping, place your
baby towards the inside of the wide strip of
fabric so that the outside fabric covers your baby
and breast.
Babies usually sleep more while in the carrier
next to the parent, feeling safer and more secure.
These babies also tend to sleep more comfortably
during the night. Babies who are out of close
physical contact with a parent, are awake more,
have a tendency to cry more, and often have more
trouble sleeping at night.
(Call Empathic Parenting for
more information on this subject: (705) 526-5647).
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Figure 6
Nursing & Sleeping
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Wearing Twins
When twins are small they can be worn facing
each other in the same carrier, until they are
about 13-15 lbs. Twins can also be worn in two
carriers, one over each shoulder in the front,
side, or back. (see Figure 7).
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Figure 7
Wearing Twins |
CAUTION TO PARENTS
Young babies can be at risk of
positional asphyxia. Positional asphyxia is a type of
suffocation that happens when a person’s body is put
in a position restricting airflow. One form of
positional asphyxia affecting small babies can occur
when their chin is pushed down against their chest.
Keep your baby safe by insuring their head is back far
enough to insure free air flow. Do not allow your
baby’s nose or mouth to become pressed against any
soft bedding, soft parent, a pillow, plastic bag or
any material that could restrict airflow. This is
especially important when your baby is sleeping.
Tips for ensuring your baby’s
safety:
Your baby should be visible at all times so you can
monitor his/her well being.
Warning signs of positional asphyxia are:
• Frequent or continuous grunting or sighing
• Labored or rapid breathing
Oxygenation studies show that
placing a carefully folded receiving blanket behind
the baby’s back from bottom to shoulders inside of the
carrier will help to lift the baby’s chin off of
his/her chest. This improves oxygenation to the safe
level.
The New
Native infant support pillow can also be used to
elevate the chin away from the chest. Place the infant
support pillow inside the carrier and position the
baby so he/she is supported from the baby’s bottom to
the back of the head.
Photo shows baby
properly positioned for good air flow, using New
Native Infant Support Pillow.
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