5 Tips To Guarantee Baby Carrier Safety

How do you know for sure if your baby carrier is safe? Where do you find out about baby carrier safety? Baby carrier safety is a topic that's been in the news this year. Certain baby carriers have caused injury and death, and that makes every parent skittish and fearful.

You have celebrities endorsing baby carriers, manufacturers pumping the benefits of their carriers, and stores that paint a pretty picture about the baby carriers they are selling. Is it all disinformation, or are there some carriers that are better than others?

There are three things you can look for to determine whether a baby carrier safety rating is bogus or true.

Materials. Fabric and stitching is a big factor for baby carrier safety. You want breathable fabrics. If the fabric doesn't breath, you and your baby are trapped. Yes, heavier fabric will keep baby warm, but you don't want her, or you, to suffocate. If you need more warmth, blankets and warm clothing will do nicely.

You don't want too much fabric. Certain baby carriers and slings boast long swaths of fabric to swaddle baby. Problem is that this extra fabric can pose a risk of burying baby, or in the case of fabric being tied around you, it can come loose and baby can come tumbling down.

And you want durable fabrics. Again, if the fabric can't hold up, gets frayed, or is just generally too iffy, the carrier could slip or tear, and again with the baby tumbling down.

You also want high quality stitching for the same reasons you want durable fabric. You'll likely use your baby carrier or sling a lot. The stitching has to hold up to baby's growing weight and multiple washings.

Less is More. Many baby carriers and slings have all kinds of buttons, snaps, buckles, or extra fabric. The more connections a baby carrier has, the more chances you'll have at something breaking or working improperly. You might want those extra pockets, but you don't have to deal with a bunch of buckles.

The simpler a baby carrier is, the less likely you'll have parts breaking, slipping, or snagging. They will also be a whole lot easier to take one and off safely.

Positioning. Where will the baby carrier ride on your body and how will the baby be positioned? One of the main factors for baby carrier tragedies was where the baby rode and how they were placed in the carrier.

You want your baby to be on your belly, back, or hip. Any lower and baby will be swinging with your legs, you won't be able to see your baby and his well-being as easily, and the strain to your back will be much greater.

You want your baby to have head support, as well as being able to sit up. This was the biggest factor in the baby deaths and injuries. The baby's position caused their heads to be at unnatural angles, chins on chest, heads lower than their body, covered by fabric causing suffocation.

When your baby is still an infant, you need the head support, yes, but your baby should be able to breathe properly. When your baby is able to hold his head up, you want him to be able to move around and sit up without fear of him falling out, or causing unneeded stress on your shoulders or back.

Follow Directions. This one is about you. Each baby carrier and sling has its own specifications and instructions. If you don't follow directions, you can miss something important. You or your baby can suffer injury by causing one or all the above problems because you didn't take the time to follow instructions properly.

Safety Reports. Check safety reports for recalls or baby carrier safety problems. A great source is the US Consumer Product Safety Commission. You can also check other parenting blogs, babywearing blogs, and the like.

Not all baby carriers and slings are unsafe, though some reports might lead you to believe that. Use these five tips as your guide to finding safe baby carriers, and you'll have greater success at finding one that not only suits you babywearing need, but is safe, too!

Better yet, buy a HugaMonkey baby sling! Our breathable, durable fabrics and quadruple stitching hold up beautifully to wear and wash. They are made to fit your specific size and shape, so positioning for you and baby are ideal. Best of all, our slings are made from one piece of fabric, so there are no buckles or extra fabric to slip, break, or fall apart!