Besrey - Sep 25 2025
Comfort, Ease, and Safety: Top Tips for Baby Carrier Safety as Your Baby Grows
Those first few weeks with a newborn can be pure chaos: no sleep, feeding difficulties, and constantly feeling like you need 4 extra hands to get everything done. Whether your baby is colicky and needs to be held, or just seems the happiest in your arms, a baby carrier is the secret to success.
Baby carriers come in all shapes and sizes, often manufactured with specific height and weight requirements for use. Some are made for newborns, and others are designed to support babies as they transition to the toddler phase.
No matter what size your child is now, it’s important to understand the difference between safe baby carrier use and unsafe use cases. A baby carrier is a tool, but in order to benefit from the tool, things like the newborn carrier position and height/weight guidelines must be considered.
Baby Carrier Safety: Under 6 Months
In the womb, a baby is often curled into a “C” position, with its legs curved up into its abdomen. Because of that positioning, newborn hip joints are quite flexible. Maintaining hip health is one of the most important considerations when it comes to the newborn carrier position.
Here are some baby carrier safety tips for children less than 6 months old:
Check for the “M” Position
When a newborn is seated in a baby carrier, its knees should be positioned higher than its bottom. From the back, this looks like an “M” shape. As mentioned above, if an “M” shape is not maintained, the baby’s legs will hang straight down, straining the ligaments around their hip joints and leading to complications like hip dysplasia.
Ensure a Soft “C” Curve
For the entire time in the womb, a newborn’s spine will have a “C” curve, allowing it to fit comfortably inside a small space. The best newborn carrier position is one that still supports that “C-like” curve in the baby’s spine, without compressing it too much.
Helpful Hack: You should be able to kiss your baby’s head with ease; if you have to stretch or lean down too hard, it means that the newborn carrier position isn’t right.
Inward-Facing Only
We know you’re excited to show your newborn the world, but while they’re under 6 months old, it’s important that they face inwards – toward your chest – while in a baby carrier. Because they are still developing head and neck muscles, the inward-facing setup helps support those vital muscles until they are stronger.
Getting Bigger? Baby Carriers Through the Years
After the 6-month mark, your baby’s hips and neck muscles should be much stronger, allowing you to try out different baby carriers – even outdoor backpack carriers like this one.
Despite the progress, finding a safe baby carrier is still incredibly important. Here’s what you should keep in mind:
Minimum/Maximum Weight: For older babies and toddlers, every baby carrier will have a minimum and maximum weight allowance. Besrey’s baby carrier with hip seat is recommended for babies between 7 and 45 pounds.
Ergonomics for Parents: Keeping your own body safe is an important part of baby carrier safety. As your child grows, be sure to use baby carriers with ergonomic support to protect your back.
Secure the Fasteners: Although a newborn might not be able to wiggle out of clips and buckles, toddlers are better escape artists. Ensure that all fasteners (belts, buckles, clips, etc.) are properly secured every time.
Infant Carrier Safety Ratings and Beyond
When shopping for a baby carrier, the first item on your list should be infant carrier safety ratings. Look up reviews, testing regulations, and user guides to feel confident about your purchase.
Once you have a baby carrier in your possession, the safety of your child is up to you. As long as they are positioned correctly, in a baby carrier that’s designed for their size, and fastened safely, you should be good to go.
Now you’ll be able to hold your baby, do the dishes, feed the dog, run meetings, and debate your partner about dinner all at the same time...Okay, baby carriers might not be able to deliver all of that, but it’s pretty close.
Article References:
https://ergobaby.com/blog/post/babywearing-101-how-to-check-babys-position-in-a-carrier
https://hipdysplasia.org/baby-carriers-other-equipment/
https://babysafetyfoundation.org/baby-carrier-safety
https://www.cpsc.gov/Business--Manufacturing/Business-Education/Business-Guidance/Soft-Infant-and-Toddler-Carriers
https://babycarrierindustryalliance.org/resource/compliance-for-baby-carriers/
https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/Baby-Carriers.aspx
https://www.summerhealth.com/blog/safety-tips-for-babywearing
