How Many Hours a Day Can I Use a Baby Carrier or Sling? | Baby Carrier & Slings (2024)

FAQs

How Many Hours a Day Can I Use a Baby Carrier or Sling? | Baby Carrier & Slings? ›

And just as there isn't an upper limit on how many hours a day you can spend cuddling and holding your newborn baby, there's no real upper limit for how long they can spend in a sling or carrier.

If your sling supports your little one safely and in a spread squat position then you don't have to limit their time in a sling. Carrying your baby in a wide-based, ergonomic sling is great for their physiological development.

While experts agree that there's no such thing as too much babywearing, Ketchum gave one caveat — ensuring your baby is positioned correctly. Ketchum advised, “The baby always needs to be positioned appropriately so their hips are not spread too wide. This can cause issues with the child's developing hips.

Your child can stop wearing the sling when the fracture site is no longer tender and your child can move the arm fully with little or no discomfort. In children, this is usually after three weeks, but can take as long as six weeks.

Any device that restrains a baby's legs in an unhealthy position should be considered a potential risk for abnormal hip development. It is also important to assess the size of the baby and match the device and carrier to the size of the child so that the hips can be in a healthy position during transport.

How long should you carry your baby for each day? Good news: there's no upper limit!

There is no official time limit for carrying your baby in a carrier, however, there are safety and developmental risks that need to be considered when using a carrier for prolonged periods. Such risks include suffocation, positional asphyxiation, overheating, hip dysplasia and container syndrome.

Slings and baby-carriers are useful for holding a baby hands-free, however they are not always used safely. Although there is no reliable evidence that slings are directly associated with SIDS, there have been a number of deaths worldwide where infants have suffered a fatal accident from the use of a sling.

Key Takeaways. As long as your baby's essential needs are being met and you actively and lovingly engage them, how much or how little you hold them is entirely up to you. If you want to hold them, do. If you want to put them down, even if they cry, that's also fine.

Infant carriers

If you choose the path of having a “classic” infant carrier for your newborn, these are typically used to approximately 12 months and feature a carrying handle that makes it easy to bring with you outside of the car. Infant carriers are always installed rear facing in the car.

Can you wear a sling too long? ›

But a sling can create problems. Keeping your arm in one position for too long can cause serious problems, such as frozen shoulder.

18 Months to 4 Years

But there are actually no developmental reasons to stop carrying. Children at this age usually love to be independent. That means they'll let you know when they want to get down and play. But they'll often want back up again when their legs get tired, and the sling is a great place for a nap!

Baby Carriers Pose a Risk of Falls

If not properly secured inside a baby carrier, an infant can fall and suffer from serious and even deadly injuries.

Absolutely avoid bag-style slings. They are unsafe as they put babies into a dangerous position, lying down without support – bringing their chin to their chest, and they cover a baby's face with fabric .

Yes, incorrect positioning may interfere with hip development in some infants. As noted by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, there is ample evidence showing that holding a baby's legs together for long periods of time during early infancy can cause hip dysplasia or even lead to hip dislocations.

Framed baby carriers and backpacks aren't recommended for babies under 4 months of age. Young babies have limited head control. This increases their risk of airway blockage and neck injuries if they're placed in framed carriers and backpacks.

As long as they are safely supported it is fine for your little one to have a daytime nap in a sling, though it's important to remember that they should be constantly monitored, their temperature checked, and that the sling may need adjusting to ensure that they're always sleeping in a nice upright position, their chin ...

Romper asked Emily Edwards, M.D. , a Board Certified Pediatrician with Saddleback Medical Center in Laguna Hills, California, if it's possible for babies to overheat in a sling or other infant carrier, and she confirms — it is possible.

It is safe for a baby to sleep upright in a well fitting and supportive sling if the appropriate guidelines are followed.