Choosing a carrier for a Newborn

Posted on June 13, 2008 by Orit

How would you know your carrier is suitable for carrying a Newborn?

First, I would like to state that my definition of a Newborn is a baby still incapable of holding its head firmly. Some babies remain in a newborn state for 2-3 months, some more and some less. When I’m asked about choosing a carrier I always ask not only how old is the baby but also how well he or she hold their heads, because age alone isn’t enough; babies of the same age may differ greatly.

As the Newborn can’t hold his head, or support himself in any way, your carrier has to answer one important criteria: it has to offer support to the entire body of the baby, including head and limbs. A good carrier for a newborn is one where you can’t see the baby at all once it is worn. It could be a wrap- as seen in the picture- but also a sling, a Mei tai or a Podegi. All of these allow carrying positions with both head and limbs inside the carrier as long as needed (however, when baby grows it is possible to vary positions and let the head and limbs outside, so all of these carriers are useful from newborn to toddlerhood).

There are carriers that offer head but not limb support- I don’t like these very much. I think it’s just common sense not to carry baby just outside the womb with his limbs dangling in the air unsupported.