I started babywearing when my daughter was 3 months old. She did not immediately warm up to babywearing. Some babies hate being worn. What do you do when you experience this? Your baby cries and screams when you try to put them in a carrier, and you’re ready to give up? Wait, when you experience your first try and fail, don’t give up immediately. Take some time to decide if your baby genuinely dislikes being worn or if you can come up with a method that suits you both.

Here are a few ideas to help you incorporate babywearing enjoyably.

1. Practice
2. Practice at the right time
3. Be sure that you use the carrier correctly
4. Try different carriers
5. Entertain your baby
6. Stick with it

Practice

If you are new to babywearing, it comes with its own set of challenges. Most newborns are babies aren’t thrilled when you are trying to figure out straps, buckles, or fabric. By the time you actually do, they are screaming inconsolably in the carrier.

Don’t quit. Use a stuffed animal to practice or attend a local babywearing meeting and try out different carriers and get some expert help.

Practice at the right time

When you’re ready to try wearing your baby, make sure that the baby is well fed, changed and is happy. Mostly it is best when they have slept well and are happily alert. While the carrier is the best tool to help you put the baby to rest, it isn’t the best time to practice babywearing at first.

Be sure that you’re using the carrier correctly

Check the directions to be sure that you’re using the carrier correctly. Make sure it is comfortable for you and the baby. If the carrier has different options for positioning, try them out. For safety instructions, click here.

Try different carriers

There are a lot of carriers available and if there’s a way to try them, get a rental package and try them. One best way is to hire a carrier from the local lending library. The educators of the library will also help with the carrying techniques. Most babies have preferences concerning carriers, my daughter loves to be carried in SSCs and needs a ring sling only for her naps. To know more about the different carriers available, click here.

Entertain your baby

Most babies love being outside, so if the weather is conducive, take your baby out for a walk. There is so much to see and feel. Otherwise, turn on some music and dance to the tunes. If babywearing doesn’t work at first, don’t plan on it initially to be the tool that lets you make dinner; instead, use babywearing just for fun and cuddling. Slowly, your baby will get accustomed and will enjoy being worn.

Stick with it

Make sure you persevere in your attempts at babywearing. Try different times a day, various locations, a variety of alertness levels, and multiple carriers before you give up.

If the baby still feels uncomfortable, try again periodically. Babies change so much in a couple of months. If babywearing doesn’t work for you right now, there is no need to shelve the idea of babywearing forever!

Babywearing is an incredible tool that almost every baby can benefit from. The important thing is to understand your baby, helping them to blossom uniquely.

I hope babywearing can be a useful and distinctive part of your journey.

Happy babywearing.

Until next time,

Sayonara!