Let's talk… babywearing.

When my first baby arrived, he was very unsettled and he wanted to be held constantly. The carrier quickly became our best friend and he pretty much lived in it for the first year of his life, snuggled into my chest while I got on with our day.

Then my second baby came along. I've used the carrier often with her too, but she doesn't love it quite as much as her big brother did. And that's okay! Every baby is different and what works beautifully for one little one might not be the magic fix for the next.

What I do know is this: when babywearing works for you and your baby, it can be an absolute game changer. But it only works well when it's done safely.

Why I care so much about getting this right

I couldn't even count the number of times I've gone up to a parent in the park or another public place and offered to help adjust their carrier. Very often it's something small. They haven't read the instructions for the different settings, like inward or outward facing. They're not sure how to adjust the carrier as their baby grows. Or they just want to know how to make it more comfortable for their own body.

Offering help is never, ever from a place of judgement. I have been there. When I first had my baby, I remember trying to work out how to get the carrier on properly, especially when I was doing it solo, while making sure my baby was safe and supported and protecting my own body at the same time. It can be tricky!

That's why I love TICKS. It's a simple acronym that helps you remember the essentials of safe babywearing and you can run through it every single time you pop your baby in a wrap, sling or carrier. Five quick checks - that's all it takes.

In this post, you'll learn:

• Why babywearing can be so helpful in the newborn stage
• What TICKS stands for and how to check each step
• Common carrier mix-ups I see and how to fix them
• How to keep yourself comfortable too
• A bonus tip for calming your baby while keeping your hands free

Why Babywearing Can Be Such a Game Changer

In those early weeks, it's so common for babies to want to be held all day long. They've spent months curled up inside you, warm and close and hearing your heartbeat, and the outside world is a big change. Babywearing gives your baby that closeness while giving you a much-needed hands-free moment.

Here's why so many families love it:

• Closeness: Your baby feels safe, they can listen to your heartbeat and being close helps with bonding and attachment.
• Comfort: The gentle movement as you walk and sway often helps soothe and settle your baby.
• Convenience: Your hands are free while your baby is still close to you.

There are so many ways to babywear - wraps, slings and carriers - and there's no one "right" option. Some parents love the snuggly feel of a wrap. Others prefer the quick clip-in of a structured carrier. Many end up with a couple of options for different stages or different days.

But no matter which method you choose, safety is key. That's where TICKS comes in.

What Does TICKS Stand For?

TICKS is a simple safety check for babywearing. Each letter is one thing to look for:

• T – Tight
• I – In view at all times
• C – Close enough to kiss
• K – Keep chin off the chest
• S – Supported back

Let's walk through each one, step by step.

Step 1: T is for Tight

Your carrier or wrap should be snug enough to hold your baby close and upright against you.

A loose carrier can cause your baby to slump down and when a baby slumps it can make breathing difficult. That's why this step comes first - it sets up everything else on the list.

When I help parents in the park, one of the things that comes up often is not knowing how to adjust the carrier for different sized babies. Babies grow so quickly and carriers usually have different settings as your baby gets bigger. Have a read of the instructions for your particular carrier (I know, nobody loves reading instructions!) so you know what to change as your little one grows.

When it's snug and well fitted, your baby is held close and supported, and it will often feel better for your body too. Having it tight means you will not have to still be supporting your baby with one hand or constantly fixing a carrier that slips and loosens throughout the wear.

Step 2: I is for In View at All Times

Always make sure you can see your baby's face without needing to move any fabric or adjust them.

It sounds simple, but when you're wearing a wrap or a carrier with a hood or a lot of fabric, it's easy for it to creep up over your baby's face. If you need to pull something aside to check on them, it's time to readjust.

This is also where the different settings come in again. Many carriers can be used inward facing or outward facing, and each one has its own instructions. Often parents haven't read the instructions for these settings, so before you switch positions, check the instructions for your carrier so you know how it should be set up for each way.

Being able to glance down and see your baby's face at any moment gives you peace of mind, keeps them safe and it means you can keep an eye on them while you go about your day.

Step 3: C is for Close Enough to Kiss

Your baby's head should be close enough that you can tilt your head forward and kiss them easily.

I love this one, because it's such a gentle, easy way to check. Just tilt your head down and give them a kiss on the head. If you can do that easily, your baby is sitting at the right height. If you have to stretch, bend over or they feel far away, the carrier or wrap probably needs adjusting.

While you're adjusting the height, take a moment to check in with your own body too. Are the straps sitting comfortably on your shoulders? Does the waist feel supported? Making the carrier comfortable for you matters, because a carrier that feels good is one you'll actually want to use.

Step 4: K is for Keep Chin Off the Chest

Make sure there's space under your baby's chin, so their airway stays open. Their chin shouldn't be pressed down into their chest.

This is a really important one and it's worth checking more than once. You might pop your baby in, check their chin and everything looks perfect. Then you start walking, bending, shopping or chasing a toddler and things can shift.

When you're doing it all on your own, it's so easy to get busy and forget to look down again. So make it a habit. Every so often, glance down and check there's a little gap between your baby's chin and their chest. It only takes a second and it's so worth doing.

Step 5: S is for Supported Back

Your baby's back should be in a natural position, with their tummy and chest against you.

For newborns, make sure their knees are higher than their bottom, in what's called the "M" position. This helps support healthy hip development. If you look at your baby from the front, their legs should make a little "M" shape, with their bottom sitting lower than their knees.

Babywearing is about keeping your baby safe and supported, but it's also about protecting your own body. You've just grown and birthed a baby, your body deserves to be looked after too! Take your time getting the fit right, ask for help if you need it and remember that it gets easier with practice.

A Little Note If You're Babywearing Solo

Getting a carrier on by yourself for the first few times can feel like a bit of a juggling act. There are straps and buckles to find, a baby to hold (who might be crying and wanting you right now) and a list of safety checks to remember. My goodness, I remember that feeling!

If that's you right now, please be gentle with yourself. Everyone starts somewhere and nobody gets it perfect the first time. A few things that can make it feel a little easier:

• Try it out when you're both calm, rather than in the middle of a big cry, so you can take your time.
• Keep the instructions for your carrier handy while you're learning, especially for adjusting the size and switching between inward and outward facing.
• Ask for help. Your midwife, child health nurse, a friend who babywears or even a kind stranger in the park can help you check the fit. There are even options to book in with paid babywearing consultants that can help you find and fit a carrier that is right for you.
• Once your baby is in, run through TICKS from top to bottom before you head off.

The more you do it, the more natural it becomes. Before long you'll be clipping in and running through TICKS without even thinking about it.

Bonus Tip: Skin to Skin in a Wrap or Carrier

Here's one of my favourite little tricks. You can use a wrap or carrier to do skin to skin.

Placing your baby on your chest in skin to skin can be a secret weapon to help calm your baby, while also keeping your hands free. Just remember, all of the TICKS checks still apply when you're doing skin to skin - run through them in exactly the same way.

Your TICKS Checklist for Safe Babywearing

Screenshot this one and keep it handy for the next time you pop your baby in:

✔️ Tight - snug enough to hold your baby close and upright

✔️ In view at all times - you can see their face without moving fabric

✔️ Close enough to kiss - tilt your head forward and kiss them easily

✔️ Keep chin off the chest - space under their chin so their airway stays open

✔️ Supported back - natural back, tummy and chest against you, knees higher than bottom in the "M" position

Final Thoughts: Find What Works for You and Your Baby

Babywearing is about finding what works for you and your little one. My first baby lived in the carrier and my second prefers it a little less, and both of those are completely normal. Some babies love it from day one, some take a little while to warm up and some would rather be in your arms. You do you.

What matters most is that when you do babywear, your baby is safe and supported and you're comfortable too. Follow TICKS every time and you can enjoy all the cuddles, convenience and comfort babywearing can bring.

And if you ever spot me in the park, please know you can always ask for a hand. I've been there and I'm always happy to help.

Want More Tips Like This?

Come and join me over on Instagram at @nurturedbeginningsmaternity for more tips and tricks for all things pregnancy, birth and beyond. I share evidence-based, judgement-free education to help you feel informed, supported and confident at every stage.

I'd love to hear from you too. Did your baby love the carrier, or did they protest? Tell me in the comments below, and share this post with a friend who's about to start their babywearing journey. 💕

I'm here for you,

Tam xx