Baby carriers and baby slings: how long can you carry your baby?
Carrying your baby close to you, snuggled in a sling or baby carrier, is a real moment of tenderness and complicity. But how long can you enjoy this sweet closeness in complete safety? If you've ever asked yourself the question, this article is for you!
When they start babywearing, it is common for parents to wonder about the duration of babywearing. And their questions are completely legitimate! They want to do well.
To be beneficial, babywearing must be done in accordance with your baby's physiological needs and your own needs, but also with the comfort it provides. Some professionals advise you not to exceed 30 minutes of babywearing, others tell you that there is no time limit... So who should you believe?
In this article, we explore the different babywearing duration recommendations , to help you find the perfect balance between comfort, security, and closeness to your baby.
The different means of physiological carrying: what impact on the duration of carrying?
If you've read up on babywearing, you'll know that there are several alternatives to strollers . Depending on your child's age, height, and weight, as well as your babywearing habits and needs, here are our recommendations:
The Sling Scarf: for short-term, everyday carrying
The Sling scarf is a baby carrier that is placed diagonally on your chest, one end on the shoulder and the other against the hip. Without a complicated knot to learn, it is easily adjusted thanks to a double ring system. Once put on, all you have to do is install your baby and adjust the length using the two rings on your shoulder. You can use it from the birth of the baby until he is around 3 months old.
If you are considering carrying a newborn , you are probably wondering how long he will be comfortable in the baby sling, what is the carrying duration to respect for his well-being (and yours). Especially since your baby will not be able to tell you that he has had enough of being carried: his crying does not always mean that you should give up carrying!
The sling is an asymmetrical means of carrying : all the weight of your baby rests on one shoulder, whether you carry him facing you or on your hip. It is therefore perfectly suited to carrying your child for short periods of time - less than an hour.
Carrying your toddler in a sling for several hours may start to feel a little uncomfortable, especially as your baby grows. At birth, when your baby is still very light, the carrying time may be longer.
After an hour, the carrying position may start to become uncomfortable for your baby who wants to move. In this case, it's time to put him down!
With the Sling scarf , opt for short carrying sessions, from about ten minutes to an hour. The sling is perfect for everyday use : at home, while running or for short trips.
The Duo baby carrier: the optimal carrying solution
With its two bands, the Duo baby carrier is more suitable for longer carrying times.
From 2 months, you can safely install your baby in it. This baby carrier model is worn on both shoulders and distributes the weight of the child over your entire back .
When using a baby carrier, you need to pay particular attention to your baby's posture: once installed, your baby is facing you, with their legs on either side and their head mobile enough to explore the world, but not enough to risk hurting themselves. If you have any doubts about the ideal position for your baby, you can consult our page dedicated to safety when carrying or watch the Duo baby carrier installation tutorial . Studio Romeo also offers video babywearing workshops : an approved babywearing instructor will answer your questions and give you the keys to carrying your child in the best possible way.
With this type of carrying, you ensure better weight distribution and improved comfort, even during long periods of carrying (whether for the carrier or the carried!). The best is to start with about ten minutes in the baby carrier to get your little one used to it, then gradually increase the carrying time.
If you can carry your baby for several hours with the Duo (on a walk or at home), it is still advisable to take regular breaks . But we'll talk about that later!
In any case, it is important to listen to your baby: if he shows signs of discomfort or unusual agitation , it may be time to put him down or respond to his needs (feed him, change his diaper, etc.).
The onbuhimo Up&Go: the versatile baby carrier
The Up & Go model is for babies from 6 months and future adventurers. As soon as baby can sit up on their own , they can be worn in an onbuhimo, a versatile baby carrier that can be worn on the front or back .
Padded at the seat and shoulder straps, it is ideal for long outings and hikes . And a little bonus point: it adapts to the growth of the baby, allowing you to keep it until your child weighs 15kg or more ! Its seat is adjustable in width to hold the baby as best as possible, and its shoulder straps are adjustable for the pleasure of parents.
It offers better weight distribution while ensuring physiological carrying.
Here again, we advise you to take regular breaks to put the baby down. A break every two or three hours is ideal! And of course, between each break, listen to your child: does he seem comfortable? Does he show signs of discomfort?
Taking breaks when using a baby carrier: it’s essential!
Whichever model you choose, you will need to take regular breaks . Whether it is to avoid back pain or to ensure your baby's comfort, you must limit the time you are carrying your baby, or at least cut it up.
Physiological models are all adapted to the baby, to his development and designed so that he is as comfortable as possible. But put yourself in his shoes: could you stand to stay seated in the same seat, in the same position for hours?
Well it's the same for your child!
Very often, break times correspond to the natural needs of babies : changing diapers, feeding, hydrating, etc. We advise you to take a break every two to three hours on average (excluding baby slings which are not made to be used for too long).
But that doesn't mean you have to watch the clock to the minute. For example, if your baby is napping, you can go a little over schedule. The main thing is that you're comfortable.
The important thing is that during the awakening, your child takes advantage of moments on the floor to stretch his legs and rest a little. 10 or 15 minutes is usually enough (but if you want to extend the duration, it's up to you!).
And even during carrying times, always take a minute or two to check that your child is still in the right position and that he seems comfortable.
If you have any doubts about the optimal positions for your child, do not hesitate to consult our tutorials by models . You can also find the video versions of these tutorials .
What are the benefits of physiological carrying?
"If you have to take breaks, it's because carrying isn't great, right?" or "If you carry him all the time, he'll never grow up and will remain dependent his whole life!"
There are many prejudices and opinions about physiological carrying, but we should not listen to them all... Many studies on child development prove that physiological carrying is an extremely beneficial practice for the baby and its development .
Carrying develops the child's motor skills
In addition to being carried safely, the carrying method develops his motor skills . Because although he may seem to only pay attention to the landscape, it is all the movements that the baby's brain actually analyzes when he is carried: his own, but especially yours!
Right next to you, the child feels your slightest movements. His body assimilates that your arms and legs are moving. Thus, he will naturally assimilate this information to reproduce it over time. He learns how your muscles move and learns to do the same .
Similarly, his inner ear develops when he is carried. The latter's function is to keep the body balanced when moving. So, even when carried, the child learns to walk in a way! Practical, right?
Baby's cognitive abilities develop faster with carrying
And it doesn't stop there. At your height, carried on your stomach or back, your baby discovers the world and gradually improves his cognitive abilities. He gets to know colors, smells, landscapes... All the information he needs to develop well.
And what about emotional dependency in all this? Again, this is an urban legend that has long been disproven by serious studies. In fact, it is quite the opposite. In contact with their parents, right next to them, the child is surrounded by love and feels safe. It has the same effect as a hug : carrying causes a wave of endorphins that reinforce self-confidence and the feeling of being able to do anything - or almost anything. It is therefore a very important element for your child to grow up with confidence!
The more an infant is held and physically close to his parents, the more likely he is to become confident and confident as he grows up.
The physiological baby carrier: much more than an alternative to the stroller
Physiological babywearing is much more than an alternative to a stroller . Not only does it allow you to transport your child to places that are difficult to access with a stroller, crowded or narrow, it is also lighter and easier to carry . Slip it into a bag and off you go for moments of discovery together!
Beyond its technical skills, it is a real well-being tool to use (almost) without moderation. It greatly helps to calm tears, fever, rejections, etc. It is also an unparalleled bond creator and above all a considerable aid to the cognitive and motor development of children.
And little extras: it promotes restful sleep and facilitates breastfeeding . How? By making breastfeeding more intuitive for the child and by placing the latter in a position that is as comfortable as it is suitable. In addition, it offers maximum discretion to the mother.
How often should you wear a baby in a baby carrier?
To determine the time limit for this type of porting , several points must be taken into account:
- The baby carrier model
- The child's age , weight and height
- The needs of the child being carried (if he shows irritation or becomes a little too agitated)
- Your own body's signals .
The golden rule is therefore to listen (to yourself and to the baby). At the very beginning, when carrying is still something new, you have to take the time to adapt , discover and test over short periods - a few dozen minutes maximum.
Then, when both the child and the parent adapt and get used to this way of being carried and carrying, you can extend the carrying sessions , always little by little.
And even when the routine is established, don't forget to listen to your needs and feelings . Find the rhythm and carrying methods that suit you both, don't forget to take breaks (put him on the play mat for example) and change shoulders from time to time if you use slings (whether they have a knot or rings).