"Baby carriers hurt my back", "Your baby will never learn to sleep on their own if they always sleep in a baby carrier". "Too much carrying is bad for baby".
You may have already heard these statements or similar prejudices about baby carriers. We would like to take the time to explain why it is possible to use a baby carrier without getting back pain and why you don't have to worry that your child will be clingy the rest of their lives.
Reality check on the most common myths:
"There is no such thing as a baby carrier without back pain"
If your baby carrier is causing you back pain, it's probably because it is not fitting properly.
An ergonomic baby carrier that fits your body and your child's age should not hurt your back. Ergobaby baby carriers have been awarded the seal of approval by the Aktion Gesunder Rücken e.V. association for being back-friendly.
If you are experiencing back pain, you may need to make a few adjustments to your carrier to distribute your baby's weight more evenly. If your carrier is too low or too loose, it can put strain on your back, shoulders or neck. A well-fitting carrier can help improve your posture and core strength by encouraging you to stand upright and activate your core muscles.
In contrast, pushing a pram, often weighed down by heavy shopping bags, can cause back pain. So can lugging car seats in and out of your car or awkwardly carrying them on one arm. Many parents therefore find carrying their baby in a carrier a more comfortable alternative.
"Baby carriers are dangerous - you could fall with your baby on your chest"
Some people see a danger for baby wearing especially when taking practical tasks such as climbing stairs or walking through busy open spaces . Most people who baby wear would naturally walk more slowly and carefully when carrying their baby. In a case where you may accidently trip, fall to the side to protect your baby. As your little one is fastened so close to your body, your baby is much better protected than carried in your arms. In a baby carrier, your baby is safe and secure and you have two hands free to support or hold onto them if necessary.
"If you carry your baby all the time, they won't want to be put down"
Babies naturally love to be carried as they are close to their parents and caregivers. It makes biological sense for your little one to be carried close to you and your body as much as possible in the first few months of life. Close contact is crucial for their neurological development. Even if they are not particularly fond of being carried at first, wearing will help your baby become more confident and secure as they develop in the first few months of life.
You don't have to worry that your baby won't eventually want to sleep in their own bed when they become more independent. The more closeness you give in the beginning, the sooner your child will become independent.
"Summer heat and a baby carrier are not a good combination"
The worry that your baby will automatically overheat in a baby carrier during the summer is unfounded. You have to do a lot of things wrong for that to happen. People all over the world carry their babies in all kinds of climates, even in very hot ones. The closeness to your body actually helps your child to regulate their own temperature and protects them from overheating.
It is important not to dress your child in too many thick layers which may cause overheating. Do not expose them to direct sunlight for long periods of time and to keep them well hydrated.
Use thin, natural and breathable fabrics for your little ones clothing. All exposed parts of the body must be protected from the sun. In addition, breathable mesh baby carriers such as the Omni Breeze, Adapt Softflex Mesh, Aerloom or Embrace Soft Air Mesh can help improve air circulation and reduce sweating.
"Carrying in winter is much too cold for babies"
As the outdoor temperatures begin to drop, you may have some uncertainties coping in the cooler weather. That’s understandable, you know that your baby can’t regulate their own body temperature in the early stages of their development.
The most important winter must-have for your baby is you, the parents. Nature is quite clever, it has made you the best heater and air conditioner for your newborn. To make use of this wonderful ability is to snuggle skin-to-skin with your baby. During winter, you can do this by wearing layered clothes or snuggle under a blanket.
However, dressing baby in too many layers of clothing could cause them to overheat. Start with fewer layers and add more if you feel baby is too chilly. When dressing baby, remember that your carrier counts as a layer of clothing and so do you as your body warms them up – particularly as your temperature is likely to increase as you’re carrying baby, along with any number of parenting essentials.
When you enter a warm house, shop or restaurant, please remember to undress your baby accordingly. In extremely cold temperatures, you can use a baby carrier with a baby carrier jacket, or a All Weather Cover over your baby carrier to keep your baby cosy and warm.
Read our Top Five Tips for Winter Baby wearing blog here.
"Carrying your baby upright is bad for baby's back"
Human babies are born at a time when they are not yet fully developed.
This is a compromise between nature and evolution. Babies who are born walking upright, with fully developed heads would not fit through their parents pelvis and birth canal during the later stage of child birth. This is called physiological premature birth.
Carrying is intended by nature so that this physiological premature birth can mature undisturbed outside the womb. It is important that you carry your baby in the M-position and your babies back is always supported in a developmentally appropriate way.
"Using a baby carrier or baby wrap is complicated"
Like most aspects of parenting, baby wearing can take practice and patience, but it's worth it.
Many baby carriers and wraps can be put on and taken off in seconds. Our Ergobaby Aura baby wrap is child's play to tie. A center marker and contrasting coloured seams give you orientation. Practice makes perfection.
Try out different carrying aids and tying techniques to see which one suits you best. If you prefer a baby carrier that doesn't have to be tied, you will find many carriers with only a few buckles in our range.
With the right baby carrier, you can make your everyday life much easier, do something good for your baby whilst having two free hands. And if used correctly, protect your back at the same time.
