When can I carry my baby on my back?

"I love hearing him babbling into my ear, gasping in awe at the stars and big trees, and reminding me to appreciate the world again."

Thoughts of a parent on back carrying.

When can I carry my baby on my back?

We suggest you can start with back carrying from around 4 months when your baby is demonstrating good, strong and consistent head control.

Starry Night Afterlight Baby Wrap

Like with front carrying, we need to take care to ensure that baby's chin is not resting on their chest,their airways are open and their body supported. Safe positioning and open airways are much easier to check and monitor with your little one in front of you, but they can be done from behind too. Friends, mirrors, car reflections and even the selfie-mode on your phone can all help to check!

If you feel you need to back carry earlier than this, as is often the case with parents of multiples, please contact your nearest Carrying Consultant. These are people who are trained in showing you how to safely carry your baby –and you can find your nearest one here.

Why would I want to back carry?

Just like front carrying has lots of benefits, so does back carrying - and as your child gets heavier you'll often find it's much more comfortable for you.

How can I start back carrying?

Getting your baby onto your back.

There are lots of different ways to get your baby onto your back, and you may have seen them either in person or online. For a beginner we'd recommend using a secure hip scoot method as Lorette from Slingababy shows us here:

or if your baby's hips do not open wide enough yet for that, then a loose bundle:

Older children may well want to simply climb onto your back, and then hold on to you while you place the wrap over them; you'll know your child and whether this is a safe method for them.

Start with a Ruck

A ruck is the perfect carry to begin with and teaches you many of the tools you need to try other back carries. It's ideal as it can be done with most sizes of wrap too. This video is a great tutorial that debunks some of the 'seat making' myths you'll have seen online and shows you easily how to do it.

Practice with a spotter or somewhere soft

Not only does it provide safety for your wee one in case something doesn't go as planned, but it provides you with an opportunity to practice in confidence.

Use a mirror/reflections

A mirror and reflections are so helpful when back wrapping, and you can also use your phone on selfie-mode to check on your wee one.

Make it a game

Little ones can often sense when we're feeling stressed and anxious, and it's no better for us either. Instead of seeing it as this big, new task to accomplish, have some fun! Pop your little one on your back and play 'horsey' or peekaboo in the mirror! They'll love seeing that they're on your back and often find it very amusing! Make a game out of popping them on and off, and enjoy the learning process together.

Stand up Straight

You'll find many people often lean forward as they try and wrap a back carry. Whilst it feels natural to the caregiver, babies feel like they're falling and so react by wiggling, and pushing away. Wrapping a moving child can create more excess, making the carrier less comfortable and a little loose - so try and stand up as straight as you can.

Don't put excess fabric between yourselves

A common question online is 'How Can I Make a Seat' and a widely held myth is that tucking fabric up is a solution - but it's not. Think of a seat more like a hammock - the edge being taught in your knee pits, not loose and tucked up. You can read more here.

Pause and Enjoy the Process

Once you're ready to try with a wrap, remember you can still take breaks. As long as you are aware that the carry is not hands-free until you've finished, and so are still holding your baby you can pause.
Learning a new technique needn't be a stressful process, simply break it down into stages. Once your baby's up on your back, (while holding them and being aware of where the ends of the wrap are) you can pull faces in the mirror, or have a wander around the room - calming both of you and having fun before moving on to the next stage.

Aim for safe and comfortable, you can perfect it as time goes on.

We all love a picture-perfect carry - but the most important thing is that your baby is safe and secure. Don't be concerned over tiny tweaks, but enjoy the closeness you've created.

If you'd like to learn more there's a comprehensive blog on back carrying from Rosie Knowles here.

We'd love to hear how you got on - use the hashtag #oschabackcarry so we can celebrate with you!

Written by Jess Hippey

Jess is a mum to two boys and a Baby Carrying Consultant based in Aberdeen, Scotland.

For more info about the work that she does see: www.closeandcalm.co.uk