Buckle carriers are perhaps the most well-known type of carriers in our Western society. They are popular for their perceived simplicity and ease of use, as well as their convenience in bad weather! There are many types of buckled carrier. The most useful ones are designed to be respectful to baby and parent’s anatomy as well as comfortable for long periods of time.

Like all carriers, buckled carriers need to be used safely and the TICKS guidelines should always be followed. The most important consideration is to protect baby’s airway; a baby should be held snugly chest to parent, the neck should never be folded in half and two fingers should fit between their chin and their chest. Neither should they be leaning away with a gap between themselves and their parent. A carrier that swings free when parent leans forwards is not a safe one.

The most frequently adopted, anatomically respectful position for carrying young babies is upright and facing the parent, with legs slightly spread apart (the M position) and head well supported against parent’s chest, as this will also protect growing hips and spine. Awake babies will look around, then regather their strength by resting their head on the parent’s chest for a short while; this is the safest way to carry, rather than leaning back loosely into a large head-rest.

The buckle carrier has a structured panel, often a waistband, and two shoulder straps that all buckles together to hold the child close to the carer’s body. Good full buckle carriers are designed to keep baby snugly close and high up (close enough to kiss) and ensure the airway is protected for safe breathing. A baby should never be loose enough to swing free when parent leans forwards. They should not be too tall for the baby – too tall carriers or an over-focus on “head support” can cause airway issues.

Good buckled carriers should ensure baby’s spine is able to curve gently into the natural fetal tuck with the knees above the bottom that is so comfortable and natural for babies and children, thereby supporting them gently from the kneepits up to the back of the head (with head support if needed for those who want to look around).

Carriers like this are usually very comfortable for the caregiver, so much so that children are often carried happily and contentedly well into the toddler years and beyond (as compared to typical narrow-based high street brands which can feel uncomfortable quite quickly).

What kind of buckle carriers are there?

There are many variants on the basic model, such as the type and structure of the waistband, the way the straps fasten (cross straps or rucksack straps), and the height and width of the panel. Some carriers can be adjusted to fit younger or older babies while some have separate inserts for newborns.

Generalisations such as “you need a carrier with a waistband for support if you have back pain” or “you’d be better off with a carrier that crosses the straps if you want to front carry” can be unhelpful.

Each parent-child dyad is unique and it is ALL about how each carrier distributes the weight around the body, which varies enormously from parent to parent, and also from child to child. An adult’s body shows its history as it stands; how active it has been, how sedentary, any injuries, any chronic postural habits. When you load this body with a baby, all sorts of mechanics come into play, such as the convergence or divergence of centres of gravity, which joints end up being loaded and at which angles, and so on.

Babies themselves play a part in being carried; they may be more or less active participants. Sleeping babies or those who have “low tone” are harder to carry, as are those who are wriggling and twisting and turning to be able to see past straps too close to their faces.

One size does not fit all, and this is why sling libraries, sling meets and sling consultants exist, to give parents a chance to identify what fits their baby, their own physiology and their circumstances best. You can read more about how to choose a sling here.

Adjusting buckle carriers for newborns

On the whole, most buckle carriers fit babies from three months upwards, and stretchy wraps or ring slings can be more useful with newborns. However, there are a few full buckle carriers that can be used from birth, which have adaptations or inbuilt support structures for babies of 7-8lb and upwards.

Some have unpadded webbing waistbands that can be rolled and cinched with straps to fit baby’s smaller knee to knee spread and narrower torso while they are small, and be gradually widened as baby’s legs grow longer. Others have foldable corners that can be poppered into a narrower shape for little legs; all can be widened as baby grows to ensure there is always a good fit while hips are still growing and forming.

Using inserts with newborns

Many other carriers have separate inserts to make the volume inside the panel smaller. Baby perches on the insert in the seated squat position, and the panel is brought up over their backs. Small babies may need the “back” section of the insert to hold their little bodies securely inside the wide panel. Here is a a handy photo tutorial for how to use an insert.Here is a a handy photo tutorial for how to use an insert.

Inserts can feel very warm in hotter weather, so do dress your baby carefully and ensure they don’t overheat.

Many people will find that they enjoy buckle carriers most once their small babies have grown a little bit stronger with more muscle tone and a little bit of head control (around three months), but with care and attention, young babies can be carried safely. Always remember that baby must not be slumped over to one side or folded in half.

What positions are best with buckle carriers?

Newborns and young babies under four months should be held facing in towards their caregivers. Thus position allows good airway, spine and hip support for babies who have not yet developed significant muscle strength and endurance, and who still have the curved spines of infancy. This keeps them safe. Babies should not have their spines artificially straightened but should be held in their natural fetal tuck, the M and J shape as seen from the back and from the side.

This “seated squat” position is a safe position to sleep when needed; heavy little heads resting against a carer’s chest with free airflow and not buried deep in cleavage. This is why “close enough to kiss” matters.The facing-in position keeps the baby and caregiver’s centres of gravity as close together as possible for greater all-round longer lasting comfort. Weight is distributed better around the body as baby curls in, rather than the parent needing to lean back to offset the weight hanging from the front.

Lastly, being able to see the parent can allow active “social referencing”. This is also known as “triangulation” – where a baby experiences something in her field of vision and is able to turn to see what her caregiver makes of this same experience – three corners of a triangle, environment, baby, caregiver. This allows baby to assess and process a new experience in the light of her caregiver’s response, thereby allowing learning from a “safe place”.

Manufacturers usually suggest short periods of time for facing out for those with good head control, this is usually four months at the least, due to the fatiguability of young muscles, and the time it takes for the infant brain to learn how to focus on one stream of information and zone the rest out. A child should never sleep facing out, as this can pose a risk to airway.

There are now some more thoughtfully designed carriers on the market that allow both facing in and out and provide better seated positions and thus great comfort for both parent and child. Furthermore, carriers with wider top panels will allow an elbow and shoulder to move freely which increases a child’s visibility enormously.

Some buckle carriers can also be used on the hip (some are designed specifically for this) and many will also carry on the back.

Read more about facing out carrying here

Having trouble with the shoulder straps creeping to your neck? Read our guide to fixing this here.

Here is a photo tutorial to remind you of the basic position of a child in a buckle carrier. Please click/swipe through each image.

Here is a video to show you how to do the pelvic scoop/tuck with a buckle carrier.

The pelvic tuck/scoop technique of encouraging a child to sit in a position that creates a “J shape” (from the side) or an “M shape” (from the front) in a carrier is very helpful. Such positioning is more comfortable, more respectful of anatomy, and also helps preserve open airways. The aim is to raise the knees up, allowing the bottom to settle downwards into the classic “M shape”. Read more here.

Useful videos can be found here and the photo tutorials here.

Feeding in buckle carriers

Feeding is possible in buckle carriers worn on the front, with a little care to ensure baby’s airway is well protected. Typically, for breastfeeding, this involves loosening the panel in stages so baby is lowered gently to the nipple.  No breastfeeding is hands free, and it is usually a good idea to get some help and advice from people who are familiar with how to do it. Please note that when baby has finished feeding, he must be returned to his safe snug upright position, close enough to kiss.

You can read more about how to breast and bottle feed here.

When can I start back carrying with my buckle?

Many families love this way of carrying an older baby, and it also allows the child to see where they are going when carried!

On the whole, most people feel that the best time to begin back carrying in structured panelled carriers is when baby’s upper body and torso muscles are strong enough. They need to have enough endurance to be consistently able to support themselves and hold their heads upright for a significant amount of time without tiring. This typically occurs when babies are beginning to sit unaided (or nearly). This commonly happens around six months, on average – it varies from child to child. This is in contrast to wraps or floppy meh dais (formerly known as mei tais) as these can be controlled and tightened carefully to mould around baby’s body, to ensure neck support to heavy heads.)

Some children may take longer to develop upper body control, but their parents may be struggling to carry them on the front; do go and get some help from a professional who can help you find some solutions to this problem and keep you carrying. Generally, if the carrier fits your child properly and provides the necessary support with no slumping when a hand is not available for support, you can back carry in it. This will apply to children with disabilities for example; it can take longer to gain head control but back carrying may be important.  This may also apply to twin carrying, where a parent just needs to survive. The right carrier that fits well and is used optimally may work just fine.

Read more here about beginning to back carry.

Meh Dais/Bei Dais(formerly known as Mei Tais) and their variants are marvellous carriers, often overlooked amidst the huge range of other types. They are among the oldest style of carriers in the world, combining the flexibility of a woven wrap with some of the convenience and simplicity of buckled carriers.

Like all carriers, bei dais and their variants need to be used safely and the TICKS guidelines should always be followed. The most important consideration is to protect baby’s airway; a baby’s neck should never be folded in half and two fingers should fit between their chin and their chest.

The most frequently adopted position for carrying young babies is upright and facing the parent, with legs slightly spread apart (the M position) and head well supported, as this will also protect growing hips and spine. The fabric should be adjusted snugly around baby for the perfect fit.

Bei Dais and other long-strapped carriers can be used for hip or back carries, and some variants (such as the onbuhimo) are designed particularly for back carrying older babies, often with their arms out.

What is a mei dai?

A meh dai (also known as a bei dai, formerly known as mei tai) is the common name given to a type of Asian carrier that originated in China many years ago; consisting of a fabric panel with long straps that are wound around the parent’s body, to be tied or twisted or tucked away securely. The Chinese name for this type of carrier (mispronounced as mei tai) has become eponymous for the style, but different cultures have their own variants of these cloth carriers, which all consist of fabric panels with long straps that are wound around the parent and baby for a secure carry.

These styles of carrier have been made from many different fabrics; from reeds and grasses, to woven cloths covered with beads. Some can be cultural heirlooms with great ritual significance, many are beautifully made;  painstaking displays of cultural craftmanship, yet extremely practical for daily life. 

They have been the inspiration for many, many Western carriers today. Most modern meh dai and variants are made from cotton or canvas and some are made from woven wraps. including the modern buckled carriers.

What’s so good about meh dais?

In the Western world of babywearing, meh dais are popular with those who appreciate the mouldability and support of woven wraps but prefer something with more structure and definition than a length of fabric. A meh dai consists of a fabric panel that has two straps at the base that are tied (or buckled, in some variants) securely around the waist, and two straps from the top of the panel that can be wrapped around the parent and baby to ensure a snug and comfortable fit. Baby sits in the pouch with legs on either side of the panel, and the long straps allow a great degree of adjustability to all shapes and sizes.

Some people prefer the flexibility of the meh dai to the more structured and fixed shape of full buckle carriers, and with practice, meh dais become very speedy to use. As the straps are wrapped around and knotted, they can be tightened and adjusted to fit around the body exactly, which can be more of a challenge with some buckle carriers which are limited by the placement of buckles or the length of webbing. 

Wide straps made from wrap fabric are popular as they can add an extra level of support if needed across the upper and mid back. They can be spread across the wearer’s shoulders and wrapped around baby’s bottom for extra lift and support, as well as creating a wider seat for longer legs. Broad, slightly padded straps are more comfortable than the thinner, narrower straps that are often found on cheaper brands, which don’t distribute the weight as well.

Variations on the Meh Dai

Half buckles are meh dais with buckled waistbands, but long shoulder straps for tying like a meh dai. (The buckle at the waist can be useful if you feel uncertain which knot to untie first to get baby out.) These are popular with people who want the sturdiness of a buckled and padded, yet flexible waistband. They are usually made to order by specialists.

Onbuhimos are the traditional Japanese back carrier, which have metal rings or fabric loops at the waistband for the long straps to be threaded through. Western versions of these have webbing and buckles. They are designed to work especially well for back carries. “Onbu” means to carry on the back, and “himo” means a rope or string; the rope is tied securely around the child’s legs to keep him seated safely. There is no waistband as the carrier is meant to be worn high. This can be useful if your child wants to see the world, or if are pregnant and carrying your toddler!. Read more about onbuhimos here

Korean Podaegis have two straps at the top of a long blanket that is wrapped around baby. The straps are tied around the parent’s body and back around the baby to hold him in place. There is no waistband with this carrier either. Traditional podaegis have the straps tied under arm but most Western carrying with the podaegi is done with the straps coming up over the tops of the shoulders.

South Korean Chunei carriers are similar to jackets fastened around the parent’s body that have a pocket for baby to sit in.

Here is a photo tutorial for a upright meh dai carry with a baby. Please click/swipe through each image.

Here is a separate link to the tutorial.

More videos and tutorials can be found on the useful videos page here.

Feeding in Meh Dais and their variants

Feeding is possible in these soft strap carriers, with a little care to ensure baby’s airway is well protected. Typically, for breastfeeding, this involves loosening the panel in stages so baby is lowered gently to the nipple.  No breastfeeding is hands free, and it is usually a good idea to get some help and advice from people who are familiar with how to do it. Please note that when baby has finished feeding, he must be returned to his safe snug upright position, close enough to kiss.

You can read more about how to breast and bottle feed here.

When can I start hip and back carries with a meh dai or similar carrier?

Babies can be carried “off centre” on the front from early on, as long as their natural tucked narrower M shape position is preserved. Lateral hip carries tend to work best when babies begin to sit comfortably the parent’s side, this is typically about 3 months or when baby begins to roll.

It is possible to back carry with a meh dai and a podaegi from a relatively young age, especially with one made with a woven wrap, as the panel and straps are very mouldable to ensure a safe open airway and no slumping.

Onbuhimos are designed primarily for back carrying and many families find this easy to do, they are best with older children. The weight is all taken on the upper body and shoulders which will suit some people better than others.

Back carrying is harder to do than the front and hip carries, seek help if you need it!

Read more here about beginning to back carry.

Hip carriers such as ring slings can be very useful for parents who prefer a slightly “off-centre” upright positioning, or those who have children who want to see more of the world, but aren’t yet ready to consider back carrying. Hip carrying preserves the visual connection of parent-facing positions and can be very quick for mobile children who want to be up and down frequently, or for a lightweight carrier for occasional use. Hip carriers can be fabric based ring slings, pouches (for use with older babies), some buckled carriers and a few “carrying aids” that are not hands free.

Here is a quick link to a video about how to use a ring sling; as if you were having a consultation with Rosie herself and Lucy (from Little Lifts)

Like all carriers, ring slings and other hip carriers need to be used safely and the TICKS guidelines should always be followed. The most important consideration is to protect baby’s airway; a baby’s neck should never be folded in half and two fingers should fit between their chin and their chest.

The most frequently adopted position for carrying young babies is upright and facing the parent, with legs slightly spread apart (the M position) and head well supported, as this will also protect growing hips and spine. Most frequently this will be the simple upright position slightly “off-centre” from the midline, with the fabric being adjusted snugly around baby for the perfect fit. There are ways to use a ring sling to hold a baby safely in other positions, but these need to be done with care. Pouch slings are best used for babies from three to four months and up and MUST fit the adult’s body properly to be safe; loose fitting pouches can pose a risk to the airway.

Ring slings are very versatile, and can be used for front, hip or back carries as babies grow. They have been around for thousands of years in many traditional formats to allow parents to carry babies on their front or hips, from the Mexican rebozo to the Welsh babywearing shawl and the German Hockmantel..  simple, practical, incredibly useful.

A ring sling is a piece of woven fabric usually about 2m long and 60cm wide that has one end sewn securely into two strong rings.

They are worn on one shoulder with your child sitting in a pouch on the opposite side of your body, with the loose end of the fabric threaded through the rings in such a way that the tension holds the fabric firmly and the weight is distributed across your shoulder and back.

They are derived from the ancient practice of tying short cloths around the body with a knot at one shoulder, such as the Mexican rebozo shawl (which is a multipurpose cloth).

Ring Slings are very versatile for a wide range of ages, and can pack away small, which is great for portability and convenience. Once you have the knack, they are very quick and easy to put on.

They can be used from birth, and allow preservation of the natural foetal curved position with knees tucked up into the M shape, and many babies will sleep contently in a ring sling, allowing the carrying parent to be hands free (which can be very helpful with toddlers around).

They are useful for feeding as they can provide discreet cover, or allow semi-cradled or sideways seated positions for breast or bottle access. They can be perfect for quick up-and-downs with toddlers, or to keep in the car for emergency carrying needs.

For babies who love to see where they are going (and not yet ready for back carries) a ring sling allows a comfortable off-centre or hip carry that still preserves healthy hip position. Children can see past the nearside shoulder and also look directly ahead. This position allows a child to turn its head into the carer’s chest, away from too much stimulation. Babies have not yet learned to organise and “zone out” of their multiple sensory streams, and need to be able to retreat and sleep safely.

Types of Fabric

Many ring slings are converted from cotton woven wraps, as cotton is easy to care for, soft, strong and supportive. Some may be made of blends of cotton, wool, linen, hemp, silk or bamboo. These fibres can add features such as extra supportiveness, grippiness, softness or glide, and people will often have their preferences. Linen, silk and hemp are extra supportive for older children, but can be a little rougher than cotton, whereas bamboo adds softness and smoothness. Some grippier fabrics can be harder to work with, while slippy fabrics can feel as if they are loosening a little

Some ring slings will therefore be thinner and cool to wear, some are dense and blankety for extra comfort.

Wrap fabric works very well as a ring sling, as it moulds well around a child and the wearer’s shoulder and is easy to work with and tighten through rings. Ring slings made of cheaper cotton or with things like padded rails or shoulders can be much more difficult to use well and safely. I do recommend going to your local sling library to try a few out and see the difference for yourself.

Types of shoulder

The most common types are simple gathered shoulder and pleated shoulder. They are all different and most people find one style suits them best, it is worth trying a few out from the sling library or sling meet to see which works best for you; what is right for one person may not suit another.

Simple gathered shoulder; this enables a good spread of fabric across your shoulder in a cupped distribution, as well as spreading widely across your back. Most ring slings have this shoulder.

A popular variation of this is a “floating” shoulder, where the seam is sewn about 9-12 inches away from the rings. This keeps the seam behind the shoulder (which can help to keep the rings nice and high) and the double layer of fabric adds to the feel of cushiness.

Pleated shoulder (typically with knife pleats): the fabric is kept in a narrower distribution to the top of the shoulder but still spreads widely across the back.

There are many variants of pleated shoulders, such as

The Eesti shoulder is a pleat at each edge with simple gathering in the centre, it will spread widely to cup the shoulder, but less broadly than the gathered.

The box pleat shoulder (with knife pleats) is of medium width across the shoulder so keeps it a little constrained for a tidier look at the front while still spreading across the back.

Here is a photo tutorial for a upright ring sling carry with a baby. Please click/swipe through each image.

Here is a separate link to the photo tutorial.

Useful videos can be found here and the photo tutorials here.

Feeding in Ring Slings

Feeding is possible in ring slings and some buckled hip carriers, with a little care to ensure baby’s airway is well protected. Typically, for breastfeeding, this involves loosening the panel in stages so baby is lowered gently to the nipple.  No breastfeeding is hands free, and it is usually a good idea to get some help and advice from people who are familiar with how to do it. Please note that when baby has finished feeding, he must be returned to his safe snug upright position, close enough to kiss.

You can read more about how to breast and bottle feed here.

When can I start hip and back carries?

Babies can be carried “off centre” on the front from early on, as long as their natural tucked narrower M shape position is preserved. Lateral hip carries tend to work best when babies begin to sit comfortably the parent’s side, this is typically about 3 months or when baby begins to roll.

It is possible to back carry with a ring sling and many families find this a quick way of carrying an older baby. It is harder to do than the front and hip carries, but your local sling educator (find them at Sling Pages) can help. This French video is one that I like and use myself.

Read more here about beginning to back carry.

Can I face my child forwards in a ring sling?

Indeed you can, once they have head control (typically about 4 months). This is known as the Buddha position and some babies love it! Their legs are crossed into a buddha position with feet in front of the tummy (so weight is not placed on the ankles).

Pouches and Carrying Aids

Simpler than ring slings but very similar, pouches are “tubes” of non-stretchy fabric, usually cotton, which are folded in half along their length and then partly unfolded to make a deep pouch for baby to sit in.

You need the right size for your body shape for them to work well so they do need to be fitted, and used properly. They can be risky if used badly as it is very easy for a young baby to slip down inside the pouch and end up with the chin pressed forwards onto their chest or their face squashed against the parent. That said, once a baby is nearer four months or so with robust upper body control, pouches can be very useful for quick carries as they pack down so small.

Carrying aids are not technically slings at all, as they are not hands-free and the parent will need to support the carried child with one arm. These are things like shaped mesh cross body sashes that a child can ride on the hip (some of the weight borne by the opposite shoulder) or small shaped seats that are buckled around the parent’s waist for a child to perch on.

Buckle Hip Carriers

There are a few buckled hip carriers such as the Scootababy that support children fully and are hands free; many parents find them invaluable tools for getting on with daily life with a child held comfortably on the hip, where they usually tend to rest when in arms. They can be used for central front carrying and back carrying (with caution) and fit best from around 4months up.

If you need some more support, please get in touch with your local sling educator.