Back to the Beginning - Wearing a Newborn

Happy Sunday, Midlands Babywearers!

What an amazing week we've had! The weather has been gorgeous, the pollen has invaded our world, and we've ran our first successful fundraiser! We'll be able to add two carriers to our Lending Library, we can't wait to debut them in the very near future! Thank you  to everyone who placed an amber necklace order, we'll keep you posted as they ship and when they arrive.

Warning - this post will include lots of pictures of very young babies. If you are at all prone to baby fever, you may want to skip this post *wink*

We get a lot of questions from first time parents, and pregnant mamas new to babywearing, about what is the best carrier they can get for a newborn. I'm going to go through the most common types of carriers and rate them based on ease of use, nursing, versatility for mom and dad, longevity (will it last you through toddlerhood?), and cost, each on a scale of 1-5. Especially on the cost element, the rating will be variable, but I'll include a link to a couple options to give you an idea. These are not listed in any particular order.

Stretchy wraps

Amber, with baby #1

Katrina, nursing N in a K'tan

Stretchy wraps are basically a long, long piece of knit cotton. They are soft and stretchy, very comfortable for a young, lightweight baby. Examples include: Moby wrap, Sleepy/Boba wrap, Infantino makes one now, and the Baby K'tan. These are great beginner carriers, a bit of a learning curve is involved to figure out how to use them, but you can get it mostly situated (tie it before putting baby in) which helps with the ease of use. This carrier is for front carries only. Do not attempt back carries in a stretchy wrap, the fabric sags too much and your baby is not safe. Great for both mom and dads, as these are available in many gender neutral colors and patterns.

One downside is that these can get a little hot in summer, due to all the layers of fabric, and the blend of fibers (cotton and spandex or lycra) is not the most breathable option. A great option that's a little more pricey (but still very affordable) is the Gyspy Mama Bali Hybrid Stretch. It's still soft, but thinner and more breathable, plus it's much more supportive than the traditional stretchy wraps. You can nurse in any version of a stretchy wrap, as you can in any carrier, with a bit of practice, though I wouldn't call them the easiest to nurse in. Most babies will become too heavy for this carrier in the 12-15 lb range. After the 15 lb mark, these can continue to be useful and comfortable as long as you continue to wrap very tightly; they will continue to be supportive. But again, these are only for FRONT carries. Many parents prefer to move baby to back carriers around 5-6 months of age, once baby has good head control and is starting to try to sit up. After the 15 lb mark, the fabric sags more easily, unless you are a very careful, tight wrapper, and many parents find it pulls on their backs and is less comfortable.

Depending on the size of your baby, you will get 2-6 months of use from this carrier. Buying one (new) ranges between $40-$80 dollars (for the Bali Stretch). You will probably be able to resell a Moby for about half its original value, and the Bali Stretch for nearly all of its original value (though the Bali Stretch you can use for much longer weight wise). The Baby K'tan is three loops of stretchy fabric that requires no tying, but mimics the carry you do with a Moby or Boba Wrap. I found it much easier to use, though you must buy the correct size to ensure a proper fit, which means that you may not be able to share this carrier between parents.

Ease of Use: 3.5 (the baby k'tan I'd say was closer to a 5, but most wraps are closer to a 3 for the learning curve and amount of fabric can be overwhelming)
Nursing: 2 - it's possible, but I don't know anyone that has found this the easiest carrier to nurse in. It's difficult to maintain the snugness of the wrap while lowering baby to the right level for nursing.
Versatility: 4 - both mom and dads can use the same carrier easily, except for the Baby K'tan
Longevity: 1 - this has the shortest life span of any carrier I know of.
Cost: 1 - one of the most affordable options, especially if you buy used or can DIY.

Where to buy - most big box retailers carry Moby on their shelves, and often the Baby K'tan, too. Links listed here: Moby, Boba Wrap, Infantino Sync, Baby K'tan, Wrapsody/Bali Breeze Hybrid Stretch

Woven Wraps

Chris and baby S

Laura and squish

Like the stretchy wrap, a woven wrap is a long piece of fabric that you tie to yourself to secure your baby. Unlike a stretchy wrap, a woven wrap is not knit fabric. The fabric is woven especially for babywearing with the right blend of give and support that makes it both comfortable and secure for long periods of time. Woven wraps can be used for newborns and continue to be used until your child no longer wants to be worn. You can even use a woven wrap to wrap a newborn on your back, since the baby can be secured high enough to be safe, and sturdy enough they will sag or slump out of it, compromising their airway and safety.

Our first successful back carry!

Caveat regarding newborn back wearing: this is an advanced skill. In most of the babywearing community you will see it recommended for people who have been wrapping a while (and therefore on their 2nd or subsequent wrapped baby). Wrapping a newborn on your back is hard work - you need to get baby very high, as in the picture you see with Laura and her youngest. You must pay extra attention to making sure baby is as upright and supported as possible to maintain their airway. I maintain that a newer wearer *can* learn this, if they are patient, persistent, and are very careful. Having access to help (like your local babywearing group) is key for this. Full Disclosure: I was this mom. I wore my first kid, in a Moby wrap at first, and later in an Ergo. My second baby was born when my first was 22 months old, and I wanted her on my back (so I could carry my oldest and DO ALL THE THINGS more easily) as soon as possible, and this seemed to be most possible in a woven wrap. I researched, I asked the local babywearing group, and I dived head first into back-wrapping her when she was 8 weeks old with my first woven wrap. Like any new back-wrapper, sweat, tears, bad words, and lots of bent over shuffling to a mirror happened before we had our first successful back carry.

Generally speaking - it really is best to wait until 4-6 months for back wrapping. Having a larger baby makes a TON of difference in how easy it is to wrap them. You don't need to reach as high to get your passes over their tiny bodies. They cooperate (read: cling) much better.  Babywearing is a lot like breastfeeding. Both you and baby have to learn how to do it. As you gain confidence, baby will be much calmer and easier to wrap. That's why it's a good idea to be comfortable with front carries first, before moving to back carries. Trust me, once baby is on your back, you will love having them there! Except, of course, when they spit up down your shirt, or into your hair . . . But there is time for that. My daughter is now almost 3 years old, and her happy spot is still on my back, wrapped or not, she loves to climb up and snuggle her head between my shoulder blades.



FWCC - the passes are bunched
instead of spread, here.

Using a woven wrap in a front carry is accomplished the same way you do a stretchy wrap, only since the fabric is NOT stretchy, it is more supportive and you do not need to get it as tight to your body before putting in baby. However, again, since it is not stretchy, but woven, you need to take a little more time once baby is in the wrap to make sure it is the appropriate snugness,  before you tie it. More on the Front Wrap Cross Carry (commonly used for newborns) that can be done in either a stretchy or woven wrap can be found HERE. 

Woven wraps can fit anybody, especially the most common starter size, which is a size 6, will easily work for both mom and dad. With woven wraps it is not so much about "will it fit" but more about "what can you do" with a certain size. Woven wraps are very variable in price. You can find woven wraps for around $100 new for a size 6, especially if you are buying used, or from a budget-friendly brand, like Storchenwiege, Little Frog, Dolcino, Hoppediz, etc. The prices can get closer to $200 for other brands, like Kokadi, Natibaby, Oscha,  Didymos, or Vatanai. The main things I encourage people who are looking for their first woven to look for are 100% cotton fabrics (these are easy to care for and maintain, and hold up really well. They also soften up nicely, in most cases), and something pretty that you love the look of. If you are new to wrapping, having different colored edges (rails) is handy as are stripes, as it makes tightening the wrap a bit easier. If this is the option you want, but maybe not the price point you can afford, read more about Babywearing on a Budget, HERE.

Ease of Use: 2 - Woven Wraps have one of the steepest learning curves, but once you know how, it's a great tool in your parenting toolbox
Nursing: 3 - definitely possible, but sometimes a little tricky to get started. Once you find the sweet spot (how low you need to get baby), it works wonderfully.
Versatility: 5 - a great carrier to share between parents - however many men prefer the ease of buckles to wrapping.
Longevity: 5 - this will last you well into toddlerhood. While there is a "weight" limit on any baby carrier, you can carry any size child in a woven wrap.
Cost: 3-5 - there is an option for most budgets.

Where to buy: if you are buying new, check out some great websites like Purple Elm Baby, Marsupial Mamas, Hip Mommy, Birdies Room, or the manufacture's websites for the brands listed above. Used, check out The Babywearing Swap, but read our How-to-Navigate the Swap post HERE, first.

Mei Tai

Chris and Blayne, same baby, same MT

Whether you say this May-Tie or My-Tie, the truth is, this is a great carrier for any age. The Mei Tai can easily be adapted for use for a newborn and last you through toddlerhood. What makes it a great choice for a newborn is mostly ease of use for the parent. It is a rectangular piece of fabric, with long straps at each of the four corners. Depending on the waist band, it can either be rolled under to shorten for a younger baby, or you can use a hair tie/scrunchie to cinch the base to fit a young baby/newborn better. As long as the back comes high enough to support the baby's head/neck, it is a good fit.



Cinched MT, to better fit newborn

Mei Tai are easy to use, with far less overwhelming fabric than a stretchy wrap. The long straps make it easy to go between parents for wearing the baby, but can be a literal drag in parking lots (one of the only cons to this carrier). There are many gender neutral patterns out to make it daddy-friendly. Nursing in it is as easy as lowering the baby to boob height and getting him or her access. As long as your baby is comfortable eating upright, you should be ok (and some reflux-y babies prefer to eat upright).  This carrier should last you at least through your baby's first year, depending on how tall they are. Weight wise, the carriers are rated at least to 35 lbs. You can also back carry in a Mei Tai (yes, even a newborn! - because it is possible to get baby good and high on your back so that you can make sure their airway stays open and you can keep a good eye/feel on their breathing - though the same caveats apply to back wrapping a newborn). You can find new Mei Tai (like the Infantino Sash) in stores for under $40, DIY them, Babyhawk is another good brand (though online only), and also there are high end versions converted from woven wraps that are on the extreme high end of the budget (more than $300 in some cases).

Anne and squish

Ease of Use: 4 - there is a learning curve on how to tie, but it is much easier than wrapping multiple yards of fabric
Nursing: 4
Versatility:5 - a great carrier to share between parents
Longevity: 4 - depending on the brand of carrier and size of your baby, this can last you beyond the first year, making it a great option for a "one and only" carrier
Cost: 2-5 - there is an option in any budget range.

Where to buy: Infantino Sash Mei, Babyhawk Mei Tai, Zanytoes (shows a few options to show price range)

Pouch Carrier

Melissa and H

This carrier is exactly as it sounds - a long pouch draped from one shoulder to wear your baby in. I do not recommend it for newborns, as it is best for any baby to worn upright in it, and it can be a challenge to get a pouch to fit snugly enough to accomplish that on a newborn. Go back to our Ergonomics post to make sure that you can check all the boxes in TICKS. It looks easy to use and is a viable option for older babies as a hip carrier. It's small and can fit in a purse or diaper bag easily. There isn't any adusting a pouch, (adjustable pouches exist, mostly by means of a set of snaps on the shoulder or rings sewn into both ends of the fabric. These don't really affect the fit on the baby as much as make it semi-usable between two wearers). Pouches (like the ones often offered up on SevenSlings.com free for shipping), are very affordable, and many are given as baby shower gifts. They are difficult to nurse in, due to the lack of adjustability. I think this is a decent option for quickly popping an older baby (5-10) months on your hip for quick trips, but the fabric it is made of is not usually very sturdy, I would not use most pouches with a heavy toddler. Bottom line - If you get one, save it for using when your baby is a little older, but I wouldn't go out of my way to purchase one.

Ease of Use:3  - looks easy, but actually can be a bit tricky to use properly
Nursing: 1
Versatility:1
Longevity: 2
Cost: 1-2

Where to buy: Seven Slings, Hotslings, Balboa Baby

Soft Structured Carrier

Carmen and baby T

Abbreviated SSC, this carrier is often the most used by dads, the buckles make it really easy to use, with a short learning curve. These are generally more suited towards older babies and toddlers, but many brands offer adaptations for newborns and young infants, like an infant insert, or infant panel that holds baby higher inside the carrier, or the base adjusts smaller for young babies. If you want one carrier to last you until you are done with wearing, this may be it. It can be challenging to use with a newborn, because even with the additional newborn supports, it may not fit your just-born baby well, though it likely will start being more comfortable for them around 2-3 months of age. These carriers cost a bit more ($100 - $200) but will last you to at least 18 months of age and resell for at least 75% of their value. 


Wearing a newborn in an SSC often requires some added maneuvering. You may need to roll a receiving blanket to boost baby up higher, or use an infant insert (sold separately in most cases), or some carriers, like Olives and Applesauce or some of the Beco line, have a built in adjustable infant harness. Others, like Lillebaby and Boba 4G and other Beco carriers, have an adjustable seat, that snaps in a bit narrower to be more comfortable for smaller babies.

A subset of this group is the narrow based carrier - like a Baby Bjorn or Snuggli. These do suit smaller babies a bit better, but the way they are designed - especially the less expensive versions without a waistbelt - make them harder on the parent since the baby's weight isn't distributed well. Also, the "narrow-based" part makes them not as supportive for the baby. (again, refer to our post on Ergonomics). Do not face your newborn out - this is not recommended, even by the manufacturers, until your baby has good head and neck control. Baby is most comfortable when she can curl into her parent, and her spine is in a C-shape and her legs are in a froggied position. This group of carriers, like the above mentioned pouch, is probably best for babies ages 4-10 months - once baby has good head control, but before they get too heavy.

The ratings below apply to the main group of SSCs, like Ergo, Boba 4G, and Kinderpack (which makes an infant model), etc

Ease of Use: 5 -the buckles make this one of the most straight forward options
Nursing: 3 - nursing a newborn in a SSC can be a challenge, but nursing in an SSC is as easy as adjusting it low enough to provide access to your breast for the baby.
Versatility: 5
Longevity: 4-5 - depending on the SSC chosen. Check out last week's blog post for details.
Cost: 4 - you can find good deals on Ergo with coupons and discount sites, but generally you are looking at $100+ for an SSC

Where to buy: Ergo, Boba 4G,  Kinderpack, Beco Soleil and Gemini 

Ring Sling

Ashleigh and baby M

Chris and baby S

Emily and baby R

A ring sling is a long piece of fabric sewn on to a pair of Sling Rings on one end and which you thread the other end through, making a continuous, adjustable loop. This is a one shouldered carrier, and by far a favorite for newborns. They can be found in a variety of fabrics, including ones sewn from a woven wrap, but even those can often be found for a reasonable price. I like these for newborns because they are easy to use, easy to position baby in, easy to nurse in, small enough to fold into a larger purse or diaper bag, and they can work easily on mom or dad. Ring slings can be used into toddlerhood, when your toddler wants up and down frequently and you want something fast. They are generally not recommend for carrying larger babies and toddlers for long periods of time, since the weight is distributed only on one shoulder. Honestly, I carry my 24 lb+ 18 month old in one, and as long as I'm careful to spread the fabric across my back, the weight is distributed comfortably across my torso, and I can carry him for as long as he will permit without it bothering my back or shoulder. Ring Slings should not be worn for back carries - my main concern with back carries in a ring sling is seat popping. There is only one pass of fabric going over baby's bottom, and most older babies tend to have times where they squirm and bounce, which can cause them to lose their seat without warning.

Ring Slings are relatively affordable, starting at around $50 for basic fabric ones (less if you DIY), and going up to maybe as much as $150 for ones converted from a woven wrap. I wrote a longer post all about ring slings HERE.  They are sized, but size only matters insomuch as it has to do with how much tail you have left over. The tail also makes a handy nursing cover, to flip over an exposed breast, or cover a sleeping baby from the sun. If buying from an Etsy shop, be sure to check to see if the maker is a BCIA member and CPSIA compliant.

Ease of Use: 4 - very easy to use, with a slight learning curve on how to adjust the tightness
Nursing: 4 - easy to nurse in, I usually slide baby into a cradle position and support their head with one arm.
Versatility:5
Longevity: 3 - you can use this well into toddlerhood for short trips, but not recommended for longer trips or back carries
Cost: 2-4

Where to buy: Sleeping Baby (SBP), Zanytoes, Sakura Bloom, Babyette

As always, you can buy any of these used on The Babywearing Swap or sell your newborn carrier to fund one for your older baby - check out how to navigate it HERE.

Bottom line - there are a lot of great options for wearing your newborn - finding the right one for you may take a little trial and error - but I guarantee you will find something both your and your baby will love to use, and still reap all the benefits of babywearing - closeness, ability to get things done (hands-free!), and building that great relationship as your baby grows.

Upcoming Events:

Saturday, April l2th, at the LDS building on Assembly Street, we are going to discuss Daddy Babywearing - we look forward to seeing the whole family there.

Thursday, April 24th, at the LDS church on Broad River Rd, we will talk about wearing in the heat and how to stay cool (or as cool as possible) while wearing your baby.

Saturday April 26th, at the Convention Center Downtown, is the Natural Mama Expo/Great Cloth Diaper Change - we will have a table set up with our Lending Library and look forward to meeting people and helping them choose or troubleshoot their carriers.

Come join the discussion in our Facebook group, or leave a comment here with your favorite way to wear your newborn.