There’s no doubt that a baby carrier is one of the most convenient and safe ways of carrying your little one around. However, there are several questions that parents ask about baby carriers. When can a baby go into a carrier, how much weight do carriers hold, how long can you use a baby carrier, and the list goes on. For this article, let’s talk about some of the basic stuff you need to know about baby carriers and how long can you use a baby carrier.
What is a Baby Carrier?
A baby carrier is actually a piece of cloth used to carry and support a baby from the carrier’s body. Indeed, this an innovative and useful utility, but how long can you use a baby carrier? Before we dive into answering this, here are some of the FAQs you need to know about baby carriers.
What are the Advantages of having Baby Carrier?
With a baby carrier, your little one will always be close to you, without sacrificing your arms to hold them while you have a million chores to do. Baby carriers help you continue working – inside or outside the house – while your baby is sleeping in front of you.
Baby carriers are particularly helpful when traveling or visiting friends or family when pushing a stroller around is not an option. You could wait in line to pay or walk along the park, without your arms getting tired from holding your baby too long.
When Can Your Baby go in a Carrier?
Theoretically speaking, babies can be already carried in a carrier as a newborn. However, you have to remember one thing; babies need to be at least 4 or 5 months old before they have strong neck muscles to support their heads. If you carry a less than 5-month old newborn in a carrier, you need to provide adequate assistance for the baby’s head to rest on. Your baby might find it difficult to sleep inside a stiff carrier; for this reason, a baby wrap or a sling made from soft fabric that can curl up comfortably might be a better choice. To answer the question at hand: although it is ideal for getting a baby carrier for your newborn, they will be better satisfied inside a sling or a wrap.
How Long Can you use a Baby Carrier Comfortably?
Now, let’s get right into answering this question: how long can you use a baby carrier? The definite answer is that one can carry a baby as long as they are happy and relaxed. Although this is the case, you should always make sure that you keep your baby comfortable and contented at varying stages. On the contrary, your baby carrier might hurt your baby more than give them the comfort they need.
You can start using your baby carrier from day one. Most are actually meant to hold babies when they’re a newborn up to two or three years old. Babies who are younger than four to six months old should only be carried inward-facing positions with a proper head, neck, hip, and bottom support.
What is the Age Range of Babies for Baby Carrier?
Babies can already be carried in a baby carrier from day one up to about 4-5 years of age. What matters most is the type of baby carrier you’re using at a particular age group.
Every baby carrier has its own set of weight specifications that must be followed. The weight of the baby will match to its age; here’s a quick overview of the various types of baby carriers you can use at various age ranges:
- 0-4 months: This is the time when your baby doesn’t have enough neck support and shall be comfortable in a froggy or “M” position. It’s an excellent idea to use an infant insert at this stage.
- 4-8 months: By the time your baby can support his neck, you can shift to another type of baby carrier without using an insert. Most infants are comfortable with a face-forward position.
- 9-18 months: You can now use standard baby carriers. You can likewise carry your baby with a back carrier if they reach the minimum weight requirement.
- 18 months to 4 years: This age is more of a personal preference whether to use a carrier or not in this age range. If you must, make sure it’s made for toddlers and is suitable for babies older than 18 months.
Why Should you Carry your Baby?
Some findings have shown that carrying your baby has some wonderful advantages. This will encourage strong ties between you and your little one. They will have the time to observe their surroundings, which aids in the development of their brain – all these while you do your chores. Additionally, your baby will be exposed to what you are working on at any given time. They will feed, nap, and even develop maturely.
Conclusion
Baby carriers are admittedly the most convenient way of carrying your baby around. And knowing when to stop using a baby carrier is as important as knowing when to start. You don’t want to use a carrier that’s going to be too small or too large for your baby’s age. We hope that this article answers some of your questions on some basic facts about baby carriers and how long can you use a baby carrier. Know more about baby carrier.