Child-carrying methods

How to carry your child while hiking for your next babywearing hike ? There are several child-carrying methods. Each method depends on the child’s age, your personal preferences, and the chosen activity. Here I present the main child-carrying methods.

Wrap

The stretchy wrap is a long strip of fabric that allows you to secure your baby against you using various knots. It is the most physiological carrying method, as the wrap adapts to the body shape of both the wearer and the child thanks to a knot suited to the situation. Moreover, the wrap can be used from birth and can be worn in a front or back carry position. The wrap is also the lightest piece of equipment (it is simply a length of fabric), the most versatile, and the most conducive to the baby’s « happiness »: your little one can hear your breathing and your heartbeat! Finally, the wrap helps regulate the baby’s temperature: in winter, they benefit from your body heat, and in summer, they benefit from your perspiration, which helps to cool them down.

However, it is strongly recommended to consult a babywearing consultant to learn how to tie the wrap correctly and to adapt the chosen knot to the situation. For instance, you will probably carry your small baby in a front carry for everyday activities (naps, etc.), but for hiking it is highly advisable to carry your child in a back carry with head support, in order to protect them as much as possible in the event of a fall.

The fabric of the wrap has variable properties:

  • Stretch: depends on your personal preference,
  • Length: depends on your own build and the desired knot,
  • Weight: depends on the fabric chosen.

You can use a woven (non-stretchy) wrap up to approximately 16 kg and a very stretchy wrap up to approximately 12 kg. Again, ask your babywearing consultant to show you different models so that you can choose one suited to you and your child.

Babywearing consultants

I am in contact with several babywearing consultants in the cantons of Berne, Fribourg, Vaud, and Valais. Let me know where you live and I will point you towards the nearest consultant.

Soft-structured carrier

The soft-structured carrier is a piece of preformed, ergonomic fabric equipment for carrying a baby. It is straightforward to place the baby in the carrier and to fasten it using the clips. However, the seat for a very young baby (approximately < 3 months) will be less physiological than with a wrap, as the baby will generally be too small for the size of the carrier. There are inserts that can be placed inside the carrier to reduce its size, but the ergonomic seat is not truly improved by this (whatever the marketing may claim). One thing is certain: take the time to choose the right model, which may differ for the father and the mother.

Child carrier

The framed child carrier is a sort of « hiking backpack » in which the main compartment is actually a seat for the child. It generally has a compartment for storing belongings as well as multiple pockets. It is very practical for day trips when you need to bring nappies, food, and so forth. However, it is also the heaviest piece of equipment (3 kg on average), and the sensation of the child’s weight is most pronounced, owing to the fact that the child is not pressed close to your back but is positioned several (tens of) centimetres away from the wearer.
The framed child carrier is only recommended once the child can sit up unaided, which is generally from around 6 months.
One thing is certain: take the time to choose the right model — which may differ for the father and the mother — by trying it out several times in a shop. Some models are designed for women, much like hiking rucksacks. For example, during our trials, I did not get on with the model my wife chose, and vice versa. We therefore have two child carriers…

Ring sling

The ring sling is also made of fabric and adapts to the baby’s body shape, but unlike the wrap, it is worn asymmetrically over one shoulder. It is possible to carry your child in a front or back carry position, and even to breastfeed by temporarily adjusting the sling’s support. The ring sling has the same advantages as the wrap in terms of weight, versatility, and the baby’s « happiness ». I would also strongly recommend learning to use a ring sling with a babywearing consultant.
However, I do not find the ring sling suitable for hiking.