International Babywearing Week runs October 1–7, 2026. This guide shares general safety tips and is not medical advice. If your baby was born early, has a medical condition or is under 4 months, talk to your pediatrician before you start babywearing.
There is a moment every babywearing parent remembers. Your baby finally stops fussing, settles against your chest, and you realize you have two free hands for the first time all day. You can drink your coffee while it is still warm. You can walk the dog, fold the laundry or chase a toddler around the park.
That feeling is what International Babywearing Week is all about. The week has been celebrated every October since 2008 to share the joy of carrying babies close and, just as important, to teach parents how to do it safely.
This guide covers both parts: how to wear your baby safely, and something most babywearing guides skip, which is what your baby should actually wear inside the carrier so they stay comfortable and never get too hot.
The short version
Follow the TICKS rule every time: Tight, In view, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off chest, Supported back.
Keep baby's knees a little higher than their bottom, in the "M" position, for healthy hips.
Count the carrier and your body heat as a layer. Most of the time, one breathable outfit is plenty.
Why so many parents love babywearing
Babywearing is one of those parenting tools that fits into real life. Many parents find it helps with:
- Fussy stretches. The warmth, movement and sound of your heartbeat can help a baby settle, especially in the evening witching hour.
- Getting things done. Hands-free means you can cook a simple meal (with care, more on that below), answer emails or keep up with older kids.
- Getting out of the house. Farmers markets, hiking trails, airports and crowded stores are often easier with a carrier than a stroller.
- Connection. Babies love to be close, and a carrier gives partners, grandparents and dads an easy way to bond too.
Choosing a carrier: the four main types
There is no single "best" carrier. The right one depends on your baby's age, your body and how you plan to use it. Here is a quick overview:
| Carrier type | Great for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Stretchy wrap | Newborns and the early months, lots of snuggle time | Takes practice to tie, and gets too stretchy for heavier babies |
| Woven wrap | Every age, front and back carries | The longest learning curve, but the most adjustable |
| Ring sling | Quick ups and downs, hip carries for older babies | Weight sits on one shoulder. Newborns should be upright, not lying in a deep pouch |
| Soft structured carrier | Longer walks, partners who want buckles, bigger babies | Check the seat is wide enough to support the thighs to the knees |
In the U.S., sling carriers and soft infant carriers each have their own federal safety standard (16 CFR 1228 for slings and 16 CFR 1226 for soft carriers). Buy from a brand that states it meets these standards, and be careful with secondhand carriers that may be worn out or recalled.
The TICKS rule for safe babywearing
TICKS is the checklist babywearing educators around the world teach. Run through it every time you put your baby in a carrier:
| T | Tight. The carrier should hug your baby close to you. Loose fabric lets baby slump down, which can squeeze their airway. |
| I | In view at all times. You should see your baby's face just by glancing down. No fabric over the face. |
| C | Close enough to kiss. Tip your head forward. If you can kiss the top of your baby's head, they are high enough. |
| K | Keep chin off the chest. Leave at least a finger's width of space under your baby's chin so they can breathe freely. |
| S | Supported back. Baby's back should rest in its natural curve, with tummy and chest against you. Gently press on their back. They should not scoot closer to you. |
More safety habits to build in
- Young and early babies need extra care. Babies under 4 months, those born prematurely and those with a medical condition often have weaker neck control, which raises the risk of breathing problems in a carrier. Ask your doctor before you start.
- Watch the "C" shape. A baby curled into a tight C, with the chin pressed down, can have trouble breathing. Upright, tummy to chest, is safest.
- Skip heat and speed. Don't wear your baby while running, cycling, cooking at the stove or drinking hot coffee or tea.
- Bend at your knees, not your waist. When you pick something up, keep one hand on your baby and squat down.
- Check your gear. Look for ripped seams, torn straps and worn buckles. With a ring sling, make sure the fabric cannot slip through the rings.
- Carrier naps are for contact, not for sleep time. Babies often doze off in a carrier, and that is fine while you are awake and watching. Once you are ready to stop, move your baby to their crib or bassinet, on their back.
- Get help at first. Putting a baby in and taking them out are the trickiest moments. Practice over a bed or with a second adult nearby.
Hip-healthy babywearing: the "M" position
Your baby's hips are still developing in the first months. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) recommends carrying babies in a natural "M" position, also called the spread-squat or jockey position:
- Thighs spread around your body, supported all the way to the backs of the knees.
- Knees bent and slightly higher than your baby's bottom.
- Legs never held straight and pressed together.
The IHDI also recommends facing your baby inward during the first six months, while the hips are growing fastest. Short, occasional use of a carrier is unlikely to affect hip development, but for longer carries, a wide seat and the M position are the way to go.
What should baby wear in a carrier?
Here is the part that surprises most parents: you are a heater. Your body warmth, plus the carrier fabric, plus baby's own clothes add up fast. A baby who is dressed perfectly for a stroller walk can get sweaty in a wrap.
A simple rule: count the carrier as one layer. Then dress your baby in one layer less than you would if they were sitting in a stroller.
| Outside temperature | Dress baby in | Extras |
|---|---|---|
| 75°F and up | A short-sleeve romper, or just a diaper in a very warm carrier | Sun hat outdoors, shade, and a lightweight, breathable carrier |
| 65–74°F | One long-sleeve zip romper | Socks if the legs are bare |
| 50–64°F | A footie romper that covers the feet | A warm hat outdoors. Your open jacket can go around baby, never over their face |
| Under 50°F | A footie romper plus a thin fleece layer | Hat and booties outdoors. A babywearing cover over both of you, with baby's face always uncovered |
Take the hat off as soon as you step inside. Then do the neck check: warm and dry at the back of the neck is just right, while sweaty or flushed means take off a layer.
What makes a good babywearing outfit
- Thin and breathable. Bulky snowsuits and puffy jackets make it hard to get the carrier tight, and a loose carrier is a less safe carrier. Thin layers are safer and warmer. A soft, breathable fabric like bamboo viscose helps extra heat escape.
- Covered feet and ankles. In the M position, pant legs ride up and leave ankles bare. Footie rompers solve this in fall and winter.
- One piece, not two. Shirts untuck and bunch up under the carrier. A one-piece zip romper stays smooth against your chest.
- Nothing lumpy on the front or back. Big buttons, bows and hoods can press into baby's skin or push their head forward.
- No hoods, cords or strings. Nothing that could end up near baby's face or neck.
- A snug, right-size fit. Baggy clothes bunch inside the carrier. Our size chart helps you pick the right size for your baby now.
For summer or warm indoor days, a short-sleeve bamboo romper is often all your baby needs. If you want the full guide to layering by temperature for sleep, see our baby sleep temperature chart.
How to celebrate International Babywearing Week
- Try a new carry. Always wanted to try a back carry or a ring sling? Practice this week with a spotter nearby.
- Find a local babywearing group. Many communities have volunteer-led meetups and carrier lending libraries where you can test different carriers before you buy.
- Pass it on. Show a partner, grandparent or friend how to use your carrier safely using the TICKS checklist.
- Share your moment. Post your favorite babywearing photo with #BabywearingWeek. Everyday snapshots are the best ones.
Frequently asked questions
When can I start babywearing?
Many carriers are designed for newborns, often from 7 or 8 pounds. Check your carrier's weight range, and talk to your doctor first if your baby is under 4 months, was born early or has a medical condition.
How do I know my baby can breathe in the carrier?
Follow TICKS. You should see your baby's face, their chin should be off their chest with a finger's width of space, and they should be high enough to kiss. Check on them often.
Is facing out bad for my baby?
Facing out is not necessarily harmful, but the International Hip Dysplasia Institute recommends facing in for the first six months, when the hips are developing fastest. Many babies also get overstimulated facing out.
What should my baby wear in a carrier in the fall?
For most fall days between 50 and 64°F, a footie romper plus a hat outdoors is enough. Wrap your open jacket around baby, but never cover their face.
Can my baby wear a snowsuit in a carrier?
It is best not to. Bulky snowsuits keep the carrier from fitting tightly and can cause overheating. Use thin layers and a babywearing cover instead.
Is it okay if my baby falls asleep in the carrier?
Yes, while you are awake and watching and the TICKS rules are followed. When you are ready to stop, move your baby to a crib or bassinet on their back.
How do I know if my baby is too hot in the carrier?
Feel the back of their neck. Sweaty, flushed skin or fast breathing means they are too warm. Take off a layer and loosen your jacket.
Does babywearing cause hip dysplasia?
Not when baby is in the M position with knees higher than the bottom and thighs supported. Positions that hold the legs straight and together for long periods are the ones to avoid.
Carry them close
The baby days go fast, and babywearing is one of the sweetest ways to hold on to them. Keep the TICKS rule in your pocket, keep those knees up, and dress your little one in one soft, breathable layer. The rest is just enjoying the snuggles.
Looking for the perfect babywearing outfit? Explore our bamboo footie rompers, zip rompers and the full baby collection, all made from soft, breathable bamboo viscose. Happy Babywearing Week!
Sources: International Hip Dysplasia Institute, "Baby Wearing" and "Baby Carriers & Other Equipment"; Health Canada, Baby slings and carriers; TICKS rule, UK Sling Consortium; U.S. CPSC, Sling Carriers (16 CFR 1228) and Soft Infant and Toddler Carriers (16 CFR 1226). This article is for general information and does not replace advice from your pediatrician.
