When can you start using a baby carrier?

Near the end of pregnancy, a lot of parents wonder whether their baby can go straight into a carrier or whether they should wait. If the carrier adjusts small enough, you can use it from birth. There are a few things to keep an eye on in the first months.

From birth, if the carrier fits

A newborn is small and can't hold their head up yet. A carrier for the first weeks has to adjust small enough for that. Check the minimum weight the maker gives. For the Solace Carrier it's 3.2 kg, and it goes up to 15 kg, which is roughly until your child turns 3.

Is your baby under 3.2 kg or born early? Then wait until they reach that weight. If you're unsure, ask your midwife or health visitor.

What to check with a newborn

Babywearing consultants often use the TICKS rules:

• Tight. Your baby sits snug against you and doesn't slump when you lean forward.
• In view at all times. When you look down, you can see their face.
• Close enough to kiss. Their head is high enough that you can kiss the top of it.
• Keep chin off chest. There's about a finger's width between chin and chest, so they can breathe freely.
• Supported back. Their back is gently curved and supported all the way up.

Check now and then while you walk. After a few times you'll do it without thinking.

Legs in an M

You'll hear about the M position a lot. The knees sit a little higher than the bottom, and the seat reaches from the back of one knee to the other. That way your baby sits properly on their bottom.

In the Solace Carrier you set the width of the seat with hidden hook-and-loop tabs. For a newborn you keep it narrow, and you make it wider as your baby grows. The Solace Carrier is acknowledged as hip-healthy by the IHDI.

Support for the head

In the first months your baby's head needs support. The neck support on the Solace Carrier sits down by default. You can fold it up and fasten it, so their head rests against it.

"finally a carrier which is comfortable and at the same time supports my baby’s neck."

Tracy S., review on Judge.me

Facing you, facing out or on your back

For the first months you carry your baby facing you. You can see them well and they're close to you.

Around 6 months, once they hold their head steadily and want to look around, they can face out. Start with short stretches and see how they like it.

From around 12 months they can go on your back. That's nice for longer walks, when your toddler gets heavier.

Practise first

Putting it on feels awkward the first time, and that's normal. Practise a few times at a quiet moment, when your baby is fed and not tired. The manual shows how to put it on in 5 steps. You can put the Solace Carrier on by yourself, so nobody has to do up the back for you.

Try it at home

You can try the Solace Carrier at home for 30 days, with your baby too. If it doesn't suit you, send it back within 30 days.

See the Solace Carrier