7 things you should know about baby carriers

7 Dinge, die du über Babytragen wissen solltest

Babywearing promotes the baby's development and strengthens the important bond between parent and child. Here you'll learn everything you absolutely need to know about babywearing.

1. Different carrying systems

Depending on individual needs and requirements, various baby carriers are available. Besides the wide variety of options, comfortable carriers in particular offer a very high level of comfort for both parent and child. They are easy to put on and adjust, and score points for their excellent stability in the carrier.

Comfort carriers also have the advantage that the shape of the shoulder straps can vary. These play a crucial role in carrying comfort. A distinction is made between so-called X-straps and H-straps. X-straps cross at the back, while H-straps run straight along the back.

Which carrier style is right for you depends entirely on your individual preferences. Generally, an X-carrier is particularly suitable for carrying your baby on to wear on your chest. An H-carrier makes carrying your child on your back more comfortable, as the straps do not cross on your chest.

Both types of carriers distribute the baby's weight evenly across the shoulders and also guarantee the crucial sitting position (frog-leg position). The carrying comfort is similar for both types, as the shoulder straps are optimized for each carrying method.

2. The correct posture:

M-position (frog-leg position)

Babies are born to be carried. Have you ever noticed, for example, that babies automatically lift their legs when you pick them up? It's a reflexive position in which the knees are at navel level and the thighs are spread at a 90-degree angle. This position is also called the M-position.

The baby should always be carried with a slightly rounded back. A baby carrier should reinforce this so that the baby doesn't need to straighten up on its own. The shaped rounded back further develops the double-S curve of the spine.

Adjustable bridge

The correct M-position (frog-leg position) is crucial to prevent hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia develops when, for example, the child's legs dangle too far downwards. Therefore, a baby carrier should absolutely have a continuously adjustable base. With the baby's legs bent, this base should extend from the back of one knee to the other.

In a detailed blog post, we give some important tips to ensure the correct squatting-spread position.

Headrest, weather and privacy protection

Since babies often cannot yet hold their heads up on their own, a headrest can provide stability and security. It also serves as a privacy screen for breastfeeding or as protection from the sun, wind, etc.

3. Required age or weight for baby carrier

You can carry your child in a baby carrier from birth (approx. 3.5 kg). A newborn insert is very important for very young babies to provide additional stability.

There's no limit to how long you can carry your baby in a carrier. Basically, as long as they like. But experience shows that children around 1.5 years old want to explore the world and walk on their own. This age corresponds to a weight of approximately 15 kg.

4. One for all

A carrier for mom, dad, and child. This is very important so that mom and dad can easily switch carriers. Therefore, carriers should have comfortable adjustment options. Both parents should feel comfortable and visually appealing in them, so that mom and dad both feel good about using them.

5. Direction of gaze: towards the heart

Do you have the typical image from film and television in your head, where the baby is casually carried facing forward? This position is very disadvantageous from an ergonomic point of view.

It is recommended to carry your child facing you, tummy to tummy. Essentially at head-kissing height.

6. Speed ​​of setup

When buying a baby carrier, it's a good idea to consider whether it's suitable for both mom and dad. A baby carrier should be quick and easy for both of them to put on, without having to adjust many buckles or settings. This is especially important when the baby is asleep or if the carrier needs to be quickly transferred to another person.

7. Summary

  • Carrying babies strengthens bonding and well-being.
  • Carry your child facing you
  • Ergonomically correct baby carriers promote the healthy development of the baby's hip joint and back.
  • Maintain a frog-leg position and a slightly rounded back. Use the adjustable bridge for this.
  • Use the headrest to stabilize the baby's head.
  • Choose a baby carrier that's good for mom, dad, and baby. In other words, a carrier that you can quickly switch from mom to dad without disturbing the baby.
  • Babies can be carried from birth (approx. 3.5 kg).
  • When babies are a little older, you can carry them on your back.