Oscha Bairn Baby Carrier - why choose & how to use

The Oscha Bairn Baby Carrier is a full buckle carrier that is simple to use and made with beautiful Oscha sling fabrics. It features an in-built adjuster that allows the carrier to grow with your child, lasting from newborn to around 2 years old.

Why Choose the Oscha Bairn Baby Carrier?

• Easy and fast to put on
• Lightweight
• Newborn to 2 years
• Front, back and hip carries
• Hip Healthy Approved by the International Hip Displasia Institute
• Recommended by experienced Sling Consultants
• Hand crafted in Scotland, UK from specialty sling fabric
• Can be used as a support for breastfeeding

Simple and intuitive to use with the elegance you would expect from an Oscha carrier, the Bairn is made from Oscha fabric making it wonderfully soft and mouldable.

The lightweight, flexible padding on the shoulder straps gives soft mouldability, without compromising comfort, and keeps the carrier lightweight and portable. The Bairn is perfect for popping in your bag when you're on the go.

Unique Features

Integrated Panel Cinch

Ties at the lower body panel allow you to ruche the fabric to adjust so it fits your baby knee to knee from newborn to about two years, with no extra inserts or accessories. The carrier forms an ergonomic seat for your baby that is optimum for hip development. It is approved by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

What does 'apron style' mean for a baby carrier?

Many seasoned babywearers prefer to use a baby carrier that is tied around the waist 'apron style'. This means that you lay the carrier around your waist so that the waistband and panel are hanging down fully, rather than folding the waistband over against you before you clip baby in.

What are the benefits of an apron style baby carrier?

When there is no padding at the waistband the baby carrier it fits a wider range of people because there's no potential digging. A lack of waistband doesn't mean a lack of support. Without a bulky waistband, which only fits certain shapes, you gain mouldability. Waistbands with slightly less structure can sag. So having no padding at all and wearing it apron style solves both those issues.

Dual Adjuster Buckle

The shoulder straps of the Bairn have buckles that allow you to tighten the webbing in both directions. The benefit of this is that you're not having to tighten behind you at an awkward angle, which is the case for many baby carriers. Instead you can loosen the front webbing and simply tighten in a forwards and downwards motion once the carrier is on. 

 Shop the Oscha Bairn Baby Carrier

Are crossed or clipped straps better for front carries

Most people find that crossing the straps of a baby carrier at their back is more comfortable than using the 'chest clip' to connect them at your back. This is because the straps tend to sit more smoothly over your shoulders and distribute the weight better. In addition it can be a lot easier to put the carrier on with crossed straps. It is also easier to take the carrier off as you don't have to reach behind your back to reach and un-clip the chest strap.

Padding & Fabric

As with our other carriers, the Bairn features lightweight padding on the shoulder straps for a soft mouldability without compromising comfort on the shoulders. This padding adds to the carrier's soft, minimal feel and keeps the carrier from feeling too bulky. 

All of the fabric used on the Bairn is our ethically crafted Oscha fabric, which is woven in the British Isles. Designed by our in-house designers and woven with responsibly sourced yarns, you can be sure that our fabrics will be soft in hand and gentle on delicate skin. We use colour matched-webbing on the straps and waist to compliment the fabrics.

Learn how to use the Bairn Baby Carrier

How to front carry with the Bairn Baby Carrier

Here's a quick demo of how to use the Bairn, scroll down for written instructions and a full video tutorial.

• Adjust the integrated cinch so that the panel will fit your baby from knee-pit to knee-pit, ensuring an ergonomic position
• Clip the waist on so that the label is facing away from you
• Bring the waistband up higher on your torso for a newborn and lower for a toddler
• Place baby on your front with their pelvis in front of the waistband
• Bring the panel up over their back. It should come to the nape of their neck for younger babies, top of the shoulders for older babies and at least to their armpits for toddlers. If the panel comes up too high or too low then put baby down and adjust where the carrier is sitting around your waist as described above
• Place the straps over each shoulder
• Holding baby with one hand, reach behind you with the other and grab the opposite strap
• Pull downwards to tighten, then bring to your side and clip. Repeat on the other side

Learn to Keep the Straps Away from Your Neck

This video shows you how to tweak the shoulder straps on any cross strapped baby or toddler sling or carrier. The key is to tighten the strap in a downwards motion before moving it across your back, this keeps it away from your neck and also ensures a more snug and supportive fit for your baby.

Mastering the 'M' Position - Learn the Pelvic Tuck

This video shows you how to position your baby correctly in any baby carrier. It will show you how to achieve the recommended 'M' position for healthy hip development and will help your baby be more comfortable. It will also make your carrier fit more effectively.

Adjusting the Check Clip for Neck and Shoulder Comfort

If you do like to use the chest clip instead of crossing straps, here are some handy tips on how to make it the most comfortable and avoid any discomfort you may be finding at your neck or shoulders when carrying.

Some people may find that their baby sling is hurting their neck or shoulders. Often this is because they are putting on the carrier so that the chest clip is really high, sometimes even sitting right at the base of the neck. Simply by ensuring that the chest strap or clip is positioned further down your back and tightened enough you will find the sling comfortable as the weight distribution is moved downwards and less pressure is being put across this vulnerable area.

How to back carry using the Bairn Baby Carrier - Hip Scoot Method

Here's a quick back carry demo, scroll down for a full back carrier tutorial and written instructions.

This tutorial guides you through how to safely move put your baby or toddler on your back using the 'hip scoot' method.

To carry your baby on your back in a bay carrier using the hip scoot method:

For baby's with full head control, who can sit unaided and are over 6 months. Practice with a doll until you are comfortable. Have a spotter and practice over a soft surface the first few times.

• Clip the carrier with the panel hanging down at your front, the chest clip should be attached and unclipped. The shoulder straps should be clipped in and the webbing loosened off.
• Seat baby in front of the waistband and bring the panel up over them
• Bring one shoulder strap behind you, up over the opposite shoulder
• Scoot baby round to your hip, holding on to them the whole time
• Bring your arm up and over baby, supporting them under bum
• Thread your other arm through the other shoulder strap
• Scoot baby all the way onto your back
• Lift baby up as you tighten the shoulder straps and do up the chest clip

Shop the Oscha Bairn Baby Carrier

Watch the Babywearing safety video

How to Breastfeed in a Baby Carrier

The Bairn Baby carrier can be used as a support for nursing. You can loosen the straps and adjust baby into the position. Always keep one hand on baby and support their head - don't force their head forward and allow them to unlatch at any time. The video below demonstrates nursing in a baby carrier.

 Learn About the Oscha Cairis & Coorie baby carriers