If there is one thing I recommend to almost every new parent, it’s babywearing.
Not because it’s trendy.
Not because it looks cute on Instagram.
But because — when done correctly — babywearing is one of the most effective tools we have for supporting both baby and parent in the early postpartum period.
Babywearing allows your baby to be held, close, and connected, while giving parents the ability to use their hands, move their bodies, and meet their own basic needs. And when both baby and parent are supported, everything feels just a little more manageable.
Babies are biologically wired to be held. They spent nine months in constant motion, warmth, and contact. Babywearing recreates that environment in a safe, supportive way — and for many families, it becomes a game-changer.
Why Babywearing Works So Well for Newborns
Newborns are not meant to be placed down for long stretches of time. Their nervous systems are immature, their startle reflex is strong, and they regulate best when they are close to a caregiver.
When worn properly, babywearing can support:
- Nervous system regulation
- Longer and more settled sleep
- Reduced crying and fussiness
- Easier transitions between sleep cycles
- Improved digestion and reflux comfort
- Bonding and attachment
- Confidence for parents
And perhaps most importantly: it frees up your hands.
Parents often feel torn between meeting their baby’s needs and meeting their own. Babywearing bridges that gap — baby is held, soothed, and regulated, while parents can eat, hydrate, move, care for older children, or simply feel more human.
Why I Prefer Soft, Stretchy Wraps for the Newborn Stage
There are many baby carriers on the market, and many buckle carriers are labeled as “newborn safe.” However, newborn safe does not always mean newborn optimal.
For babies roughly 0–3 months, I strongly recommend a soft, stretchy wrap rather than a structured buckle carrier.
Here’s why:
Soft wraps allow:
- Customized fit for your baby’s size and shape
- Higher positioning on the chest
- Better support for a newborn’s spine and pelvis
- Improved airway visibility
- Natural curling and containment
Many buckle carriers simply do not allow infants to sit high enough, close enough, or in a developmentally appropriate position — especially for very small or sleepy newborns.
Newborns need:
- To be up high
- Close to your chest
- With their airway fully visible
- In a curled, supported position
This is where many families run into trouble — not because they’re doing anything wrong, but because the carrier itself doesn’t allow proper positioning.
The Most Important Safety Framework: The T.I.C.K.S. Acronym
When it comes to babywearing safety, I always teach parents the T.I.C.K.S. acronym. This is a simple checklist you can mentally run through every time you wear your baby.
T — Tight
Your wrap or carrier should be snug. A loose carrier allows baby to slump, which can compromise the airway and lead to unsafe positioning.
Baby should be held close enough that they move with your body, not bounce away from you.
I — In View at All Times
You should always be able to see your baby’s face by simply looking down. No fabric covering the face. No chin tucked down into the chest.
If you have to move fabric to check breathing, the positioning needs to be adjusted.
C — Close Enough to Kiss
Baby should be worn high on your chest. You should be able to easily kiss the top of their head without straining your neck.
This higher positioning helps keep the airway open and provides better support for baby’s spine and neck.
K — Keep Chin Off Chest
A baby’s chin should never rest on their chest. Newborns have heavy heads and limited neck control, and chin-to-chest positioning can restrict breathing.
You should be able to fit at least one finger between baby’s chin and chest.
S — Supported Back
Baby’s back should be fully supported in a natural curve, not pressed flat and not slumped.
In a soft wrap, this usually looks like a gentle “C” shape, with the pelvis tucked and the fabric supporting baby from knee to knee and up the spine.
Common Babywearing Mistakes I See All the Time
Even parents who are well-intentioned and following instructions can unknowingly position their baby in a way that isn’t ideal. These are some of the most common mistakes I see:
1. Baby Sitting Too Low
One of the biggest issues is babies being worn too low on the body. Low positioning makes it harder to maintain airway safety and often leads to slumping.
If baby’s head is near your sternum or belly button instead of your upper chest, they’re too low.
2. Baby’s Head Tucked Inside the Wrap
Many parents tuck baby’s head completely inside the wrap fabric for “support.” While support is important, covering the face or restricting head movement is unsafe.
Baby’s face should always be visible, with free airflow.
3. Improper Hip Positioning
Another very common issue is poor hip positioning.
Babies should sit in an “M” shape:
- Knees higher than hips
- Hips bent and flexed
- Pelvis tucked
This position supports healthy hip development and allows baby to rest in a natural, curled posture.
When babies are worn with their legs dangling straight down, or their pelvis pressed flat against the parent, they lose that natural curvature and support.
4. Baby Appearing “Stuck” Flat to the Parent
Newborns should not look like they’re glued flat against your body.
Instead, they should be gently curled, with:
- A tucked pelvis
- Rounded spine
- Knees bent
- Head resting naturally on the chest
This position mimics how babies naturally curl when held and supports comfort, breathing, and regulation.
Soft Wrap Recommendations (Perfect for Newborns!)
Here are 5 soft wraps I love for newborns — easy to use, supportive, and ideal for learning safe babywearing:
- Moby Wrap – A classic stretchy wrap that’s perfect for beginners and newborns. Its fabric provides great support and flexibility for different body shapes and sizes.
- CuddleBug Wrap – Soft, breathable, and comfortable for long wear. Great for parents who want a lighter feel without sacrificing support.
- Boba Wrap – Very popular for its secure, snug fit. Easy to tie and adjust, and excellent for tiny newborns.
- Solly Baby Wrap – Lightweight and dreamy soft, this wrap is ideal for warmer weather and everyday wear without bulk.
- Baby K’tan Original – A hybrid between a wrap and a sling with no wrapping required — perfect for parents who want wrap benefits with simpler setup.
All of these options allow for high, close, and properly supported positioning when used correctly — especially during those first 3 months.
Babywearing Benefits for Parents, Too
While babywearing clearly benefits babies, it also supports parents in profound ways.
Babywearing can:
- Reduce stress and anxiety
- Increase confidence in reading baby’s cues
- Allow movement and mobility postpartum
- Support bonding and emotional connection
- Reduce feelings of overwhelm and isolation
And yes — babywearing is for dads, partners, and caregivers too.
I hear all the time:
“That looks overwhelming.”
“That seems complicated.”
“I’ll let mom do that.”
But once someone learns it, babywearing often becomes a favorite tool — especially for soothing a fussy baby.
Babywearing Is Just One Piece of the Postpartum Puzzle
While babywearing is powerful, it’s only one part of supporting yourself and your baby after birth.
Parents deserve to know:
- What normal newborn sleep looks like
- How to recognize hunger cues
- How to soothe a dysregulated baby
- How to care for their own postpartum body
- What recovery looks like after vaginal or cesarean birth
Education changes everything.
Want to Feel More Confident Bringing Your Baby Home?
If you want to feel prepared — not overwhelmed — in the newborn and postpartum season, I invite you to check out our Newborn & Postpartum Care Class.
Inside the course, we cover:
- Infant sleep (what’s normal vs. what’s not)
- Hunger cues and feeding rhythms
- Sample newborn schedules
- Babywearing safety and positioning
- Soothing strategies that actually work
- Postpartum recovery after vaginal and cesarean birth
- What to expect in the early weeks at home
- And so much more
This class is designed to give you knowledge, confidence, and realistic expectations — so you’re not left guessing during one of the biggest transitions of your life.
✨ Because when parents are supported, babies thrive.