When is it the right time to start using a baby carrier?

You must be in love with the idea of carrying your baby in a carrier but being a new mom, you must be having lots of questions. When should you begin to use a baby carrier? What are the cons of using a baby carrier with a newborn baby? Is it safe for the mom and the child to use a carrier at the back? When you use a baby carrier, your baby stays close to you and you can automatically hug your child without having to engage your hands. Your hands will remain free for all other pending household tasks.

Baby carriers tend to be extremely useful when you’re traveling or you’re visiting old friends when you don’t wish to push a stroller. If you want to know more on baby carriers and how they should be used, here are some details to keep in mind.

When can my baby be carried in a carrier?

According to theory, babies are supposed to be carried in a carrier as soon as they’re born but one thing that you can’t forget is that babies require being at least 4-5 months old in order to have strengthened neck muscles which are strong enough to support their head. If you have a baby of less than 5 months old and you take him in a barrier, you have to ensure putting in enough support at the back of his head.

Baby carriers are firm and hard and hence they’re able to offer sturdy support for the growing baby. If you’re carrying a newborn, he might feel uncomfortable to sleep within a solid carrier and if this is the reason behind his irritation, you can wrap him in a sling which is made of soft cloth so that your baby can cuddle up inside it. So, if you’re wondering whether your new born is good enough to be taken in a carrier, it is better to initially take them in a wrap or a sling.

When is the right time to carry my baby facing outward?

When your baby is extremely young, they’ll be more comfortable in sleeping all the time and hence they should be carried facing inward. This will help them rest their head in a better way on your chest and babies love to feel the skin against them. As your baby is 6 months of age, he will develop strong neck muscles and begin showing interest in the world and then it is the best time to carry him by facing outwards. You should only take them facing outwards when they start enjoying the outer world, the movements of people and different colors.

How old does a baby require being in order to be carried in a carrier?

Well, your newborn baby will require being of at least 5 months old to be carried in a baby carrier. Hence, the carrier which you select should be comfortable for a 5 month old.

Therefore, whenever you’re concerned about carrying your newborn in a carrier, wait till he reaches 5 months of age so that you can carry him comfortably.