Toddlerwearing: Beyond Babywearing

​One day, your baby suddenly isn’t a baby anymore—they’re a toddler, full of energy and curiosity. You may think it’s the end of babywearing, but sometimes it can be just the beginning! Toddlerwearing can be a great resource for caregivers when toddlers need a way to snuggle in when life gets overwhelming, stay close to an adult in a hands-off area, or simply get a better view at the zoo.

Whether you’ve been happily wearing your baby since birth or are looking to wear your little explorer for the first time, we can help find a carrier to suit you and your family’s needs.First, let’s establish what children could benefit from a larger carrier. Just because a child can walk or is over a year of age doesn’t necessarily mean they’re ready for a toddler or preschool carrier. The true determining factor is how big your child is and the size of your current carrier.

---

​
You may want to move to a larger carrier if…

• the panel of the carrier no longer reaches your child’s armpit,
• your child’s legs are no longer supported in the M positioning and they are not yet walking,
• your child wants to be arms-in and the carrier is no longer tall enough for them to achieve that,
• you or your child are uncomfortable in the carrier.

You may want to stay with your current carrier if…

• the panel of the carrier reaches your child’s armpits or higher,
• your child’s legs are still supported in M positioning or they are already walking,
• your child is not large enough to fit into the next size of carrier, or
• you or your child are comfortable in the carrier.

​
Ready for a larger carrier? Let’s review your main carrier options.

As a general rule, ring slings and woven wraps are one-size-fits-most for children. If you currently own one of these options, you can still safely wear your baby. If you feel uncomfortable now that your child is heavier, we can help you find carries that will help relieve some of that weight or steer you towards another carrier that may offer more support.

Carriers that are sized are meh dais (MD) and soft structured carriers (SSC). When your child outgrows these carriers, you have a few options.

For MDs, if the panel height is still sufficient, you can position the straps to support more of your child’s leg (see picture below).

For SSCs, if the panel height is still sufficient, add on leg extenders or stirrups. Tula Free-To-Grow Extenders, Boba Carrier Foot Straps, or Lillebaby Stirrups are some of the accessory options (see picture below).

If you want to size up to another carrier, check to make sure your child is big enough to fit comfortably in the carrier. We want to see the panel supporting your child’s legs and back, but not extending past their knees or face. Their feet should be free to kick and the panel should not be higher than their eyes.

Below is a handy chart for you to find out more about the MD and SSC options available. SSC info courtesy of BWI of Colorado Springs. 

Can’t decide or want to try one on to see how you like it? We have many options in our lending library for you to try on at one of our monthly meetings. One of our accredited educators will be happy to help you find a great fit.

Photo is courtesy of BWI of Birmingham

Photo is courtesy of Tula Baby Carriers

Click here to see the above chart in a full screen!