Baby carriers: Australian fit and airway safety
Baby-wearing has recently become super-popular right now, but you might be surprised to learn it has a long history. Mums have been wearing various versions of the baby carrier since many centuries to keep babies close to them. Some of the early carriers were made from just a long piece of cloth wrapped tightly around the woman’s body to keep the baby close to them while they worked the fields or went about their day.
A baby carrier needs to fit both you and your baby. Keep your baby upright with their face visible, mouth and nose uncovered, chin away from the chest and back supported. Follow the exact carrier’s instructions and check your baby regularly.
What are the various types of baby carriers right now?
Baby carriers come in a wide variety and the one you choose will be the one that would suit your lifestyle. There are subtle differences between carriers but the main types of carriers are listed below:
- Baby carrier wraps: Baby carrier wraps are the oldest way of wrapping a baby. They are basically a long piece of cloth that is wrapped around your body and tied in place to hold your baby close.
- Soft-structured carriers use a shaped panel and adjustable straps or buckles. Suitable weight, size, developmental stage and carrying positions vary by model. A newborn label is not individual clearance to use it. Check the instructions and get help with fit, especially for a young baby.
- Framed backpack carriers are different from soft front carriers. They require the child’s developmental readiness and the manufacturer’s stated limits. They are not for newborns. The ACCC advises against framed carriers for babies younger than four months; reaching four months alone does not establish readiness.
Carriers, wraps and slings are not safe sleep environments. If your baby falls asleep, check their breathing and position, then wake and remove them as soon as possible to a safe sleep surface. Keep their face uncovered throughout. Babies younger than four months and babies born prematurely, with low birth weight or breathing difficulties need extra care; ask your baby’s health professional for individual advice. Consult a paediatrician before using a carrier with a premature baby. Read the ACCC’s baby carriers, wraps and slings guide and Red Nose’s sling and carrier guidance.
For a straightforward feed, pause and take your baby out of the carrier. If considering feeding in a carrier, seek individual support, follow the exact product instructions and keep the airway visible and clear. It is not a hands-free task. Return your baby to the correctly adjusted upright carrying position afterwards. Read the Australian Breastfeeding Association’s baby-carrier guidance.
The previous product recommendations are under review. Some included unsupported sleep, feeding, fit or comfort claims. This page received a limited safety correction on 15 October 2026; current Australian product comparisons are being prepared separately.
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