Babywearing FAQ's

Frequently Asked Questions

General FAQ's on Babywearing

Common questions answered...

For people who are prone to back problems, it is advisable to choose a carrier that is suitable for sensitive back/shoulders with good weight distribution. It is more important than ever to Get The Right Fit with our Babywearing Specialist Fitters.

If your baby is above 5 months old, has good neck control and can sit unassisted, we will recommend that you switch to using a good structured baby carrier. Such soft structured baby carriers are good especially for people with back problems as they distribute the weight onto your hips and on both shoulders more effectively. By distributing some of baby’s weight onto your hips, it brings the center of gravity as low as possible on your body, thus reducing the strain on your shoulders and back. Alternatively, a wrap can also be a good option for those who are more adventurous.

If you do have serious problems with your back and any amount of lifting the baby is painful, do listen to your body and give yourself a break. You may also wish to consult a qualified professional such as a chiropractor to treat your back before you do too much lifting of your baby.

It depends. Many non-adjustable carriers may face problem of feeling too tight or too lose as they come in several sizes and may not fit both parents of varying shapes. Slings and wraps come in free size and can fit most people, reason being that they do not have a structure unlike carriers so they can be adjusted accordingly to fit. At Baby Slings and Carriers, we provide a fitting service to find the a carrier that fits you and your baby. From there, we will be able to assess if you and your partner are able to share the same carrier. 

Most people find that even with a stroller, a baby will constantly need to be carried when he or she cries. Especially for young babies, they yearn to be carried often and will not sit or lay down quietly in the stroller for long periods of time. Parents of older babies who have started walking also find that it is cumbersome to bring around strollers as their babies will not want to sit in the strollers for most of the journey. In such situations, it will be more comfortable having a baby sling or a baby carrier when the child wants to be carried or simply for quick pick-me-ups.

It is true that the sights in a front or forward-facing (world-facing) baby carrier will definitely be more visually stimulating. However, you may wish to note that the forward-facing position is not as comfortable for both baby and babywearer. The center of gravity when a child faces out is pulling forward and may result in the risk of back pains for the parent and over stimulation for the child. Most respectable carrier brands would state clearly on product boxes that babies can only be carried up to 10kg and no more than 10-15 minutes before being switched back to the upright front carry position. We advocate using a forward-facing position (only if absolutely necessary) with care and take note of the child’s reaction. If possible, we prefer and recommend a side-carry position instead that also offers the child a world-facing option. This will be a more natural position for the child.

The baby carriers, slings and wraps choices we provide have been carefully selected over the years. A newborn will feel most comfortable if put in a baby sling or stretch wrap, as the “cocoon” mimics the mothers’ womb. In fact, it has been known that babies who are carried often in such a manner typically thrives.

There are many reasons why a baby cries when placed in a baby carrier. Sometimes, it could be adjustments. Sometimes it could be due to an ill-fitting carrier that compromises on the baby’s posture.

Commonly, if it is the first time your child has been in a carrier, some babies may not be used to it. Fussing can even be caused by hunger, fighting sleep, diaper change or gas. Some parents soon realize that a baby’s initial resistance is  due to the fact that the wearer is not yet proficient with the baby sling or baby carrier, not because of the baby carrier itself (provided the right fitting carrier is used). Baby carriers can be a breeze to use, with a little practice and the right guidance from an experienced Babywearing Specialist Fitter!

All babies naturally love to be carried. The only difference is the way we are used to carrying them. Natural fibers are generally comfortable for baby, it keeps them warm and close to you without being hot. In humid weathers like here in Singapore, we find that mesh and polyester does not wick sweat off as quickly as cotton or hemp (for example) and may increase the discomfort. For concerned parents, we also advise you to consider wearing natural fibers like cotton instead of polyester and dri-fit clothing.

Some parents are afraid to carry their babies because they are afraid their babies get “stucked” to them. Let us assure you that this is not the case. Those of us who have worn our babies when they were little generally find that our children outgrow the carrying phase when the time comes. This is simply because we have given them the carrying they need and being close to them for their first months of life. They also learn to trust that we will be there if they need us and therefore are confident to venture forth when they are ready. Babywearing is not about carrying your baby all the time, it is about carrying them when they needed to be carried.

If you do a simple comparison between babies that are carried often and babies who are used to being placed in strollers. A quick look in the streets and you are likely to see that babies who have been used to being put in a stroller tend to want to sit in a stroller at older ages, compared to the number of children who had been carried and are still being carried at the same age.

Good question! Carrying your baby not only helps parent & child bonding, it also helps prevent colic. Research has also shown that babies who are carried tend to cry less often and feel more confident as they grow up. This is simply because they have frequently been hugged by the persons they love most which gives them a sense of security. The purpose of a good baby carrier is to give you the ability to carry your baby when he or she needs to be carried.

How to choose the right Carrier

Finding a suitable carrier that fits your lifestyle & needs

Generally ring slings and wraps are the preferred choice for younger babies, as having no structure allows them to mold snugly against your child’s natural posture. Furthermore, they are perfect for home usage in the early days. Some parents may prefer to get a soft-structured carrier (SSC) instead. Either ways, as long as you are properly fitted by our Babywearing Specialist Fitters at our personalized Babywearing Fitting, you will be walked through your best and most optimal options.

These days, widely adaptable carriers can be found in the market. Many carriers are able to carry your child comfortably from small newborns up to toddlers. WAIT! Before you buy the closest carrier you see, you need to take note of the fit. A carrier may be able to carry a large child but if there is a mismatch between you and the carrier, the carrier will not last you long, nor will it feel comfortable for your child or you. As your child gets heavier, existing back or shoulder issues may persist or get worse.

Don’t worry! We offer professional fitting services that allow you to have a better understanding and try on different baby carriers at an affordable fee.

Generally, baby slings are comfortable to breastfeed in as you can easily switch to cradle position. When you become more proficient with the ring slings, you can even breastfeed baby on the go – while walking, shopping, eating or even playing with your older children. While in the cradle position, you just need to adjust the sling a little and let baby latch on, then adjust again for a tight fit so that you can breastfeed discreetly and on the go. Nursing tops (especially those with the nursing opening just below the chest area), as well as low necklines can be an asset for discreet breastfeeding while baby nurses in the baby sling.

*Nevertheless, we advise parents never to go hands free when breastfeeding a young child while babywearing. Please do it with caution.

It depends on your learning curve. Most people find carriers simple to put on without hassle. Generally most soft structured baby carriers (SSCs) involve only two buckles. Some people may find ring slings more convenient. It is advisable to come down to our showroom to try it out yourself. 

Definitely! Lots of mothers with older babies and toddlers use their baby slings or carriers nearly every day. Even when a child learns how to walk, there will be instances when he or she feels tired and wants to be carried. Also when you are out for longer or travelling, your child may also want to sleep. Don’t see the baby sling or carrier as purely for your child. It is really a tool to help you in your parenting journey.

You may like to opt for a carrier/sling/wrap that is functional yet comes in classy gender neutral colors. Most of the time, Daddies actually have a natural flair in babywearing! 

Choosing from a wide range of baby slings and baby carriers in the market can be mind-boggling. Our personalized baby carrier fitting sessions helps our customers manage the process much better, resulting in an optimal choice. Book a fitting session with us today!

You are not alone when you ask this question. As a babywearing specialist, we pride ourselves in recommending only baby carriers that are comfortable for you and your baby, made with the health and safety of both parent and child in mind.

There are reasons for opting for soft-structured baby carriers. Baby carriers made of soft breathable materials are superior to hard type baby carriers, since they do not compromise on the snugness factor, thus protecting you and your baby’s spinal health. A young infant’s spine is not ready to take all their weight when upright, and a carrier that helps redistribute the weight evenly helps improve the support for their still developing spine. Hard type baby carriers tend to introduce too much space, causing baby’s body to “bob around” within the baby carrier. This can compromise on baby’s comfort and increase the risk putting too much weight on baby’s spine when they are not ready.

Soft cotton or cotton blend baby carriers wrap better around the baby’s body, protecting and supporting the fragile spine. This helps promote a more healthy spinal development in the child. The resulting snugness in turn helps lower the center of gravity and promote a more effective and efficient weight distribution for the wearer.

Snugness is a double-edge sword. The downside is that having two bodies closer together will mean a little more warmth. Making a sensible choice by going for natural fiber carriers will help one manage the babywearing heat better.

Having said that, framed backpacks can be a good consideration for those who are going hiking and whose babies can already sit unassisted (their spines ready to support their weight). Again, how suitable an option is depends on the situation as well as many other factors – something our Babywearing Specialist Fitters can help you make sense of during a proper fitting.

baby carrier Fitting Service FAQs

Find out more about our baby carrier fitting service and the common FAQs by clicking the link below.