Glossary of Babywearing Terms

When learning a new skill you are not just learning the practical aspects of how to do the skill.  It also comes along with a host of words and phrases that you need to learn the definitions of to be able to understand instructions and be able to participate in discussions about the topic.  I have compiled a list of common babywearing terms and phrases for you, to help make your introduction to carrying your child just that little bit smoother.  

 

Apron Style Carrier

With most carriers, the back panel is attached to the top of the waist band.
With an apron style carrier, like the Ergobaby Embrace, you put the carrier on apron style. This means that the back panel comes from the bottom of the waistband, and forms a hammock for baby to sit in when the back panel is lifted.

 

Back panel

Pictured from left to right - Lenny Lamb Lenny Up, Ergobaby Embrace, Beco Eight , Boba Air (Image Credit - Boba)

The back panel makes up the majority of the fabric of the carrier, and it can be made of a wide variety of fabrics which varies depending on the features of the carrier.  

Some are made from the same fabric as a woven wrap, to give a plush strong fabric (left), soft stretchy fabrics are a favourite for newborn specific carriers such as the Ergobaby Embrace (second from left). Mesh fabric is a popular option to increase air flow, and light weight carriers like the Boba Air have much less bulk so they can pack down small.  The back panel can be a plain block of colour or display unique prints.

Brands also vary by the amount of padding they have at the edge of the back panel to cushion your child's legs and neck.  

 

Back Panel Adjuster

Pictured from left to right - Boba X, Fidella Meh Dai, Beco Gemini, Ergobaby Embrace

There are numerous different techniques which manufacturers utilise to help change the size of the carrier to make them fit a wider age range of children.  

The first two pictures on the left show two different variations to shorten the height of the back panel by cinching it down and securing it, either with a ladder lock buckle or a tie.

Carriers such as the Ergobaby Embrace and many meh dai are able to shorten their back panel by rolling the waist band.

Other carrier manufacturers address this issue by offering an alternative to lengthen the back panel height from its base setting.  They do this by having a panel extender which folds up and buttons or clips in place to allow extra back support for taller children, or by unzipping the panel to lengthen it such as with a Manduca.

 

Back/Chest Strap

Pictured from left to right - Ergobaby omni 360, Boba X, Beco Eight

The name of this part of the carrier changes depending on if you are performing a back carry or a front carry.  

The strap is on sliders which allow you to adjust where it falls on your body, or in some cases is completely removable and just loops around the shoulder straps.   For comfort generally you want to aim for it to be somewhere between the centre of your shoulder blades and your armpit.  At this height it can be quite difficult to do up yourself unless you know the appropriate techniques to help you achieve this.  

The back/chest strap also can be adjusted for its length. When tightening this strap you want to have just enough tension that the straps won't be at risk of falling off your shoulders, but not so much that it distorts the fall of the shoulder straps.

 

Base

Pictured from left to right - Boba X, Beco Gemini, Ergobaby Omni 360, Fidella meh dai

The base of the carrier is where the back panel attaches to the waist band.  This is the part of the carrier which is used to create a "seat" for your child to sit on.

Standard versions of carriers often have a fixed base size, while others can adjust to adapt to the size of your child as they grow or change the base size to allow for forward facing in the carrier.   Buttons, poppers, slides, velcro or ties are all different ways to allow the base to be resized, depending on the brand.

 

Buckle Carrier

A buckle carrier is another term often used for a soft structured carrier.  It is a type of carrier which has a back panel with straps sewn in to it.  This style of carrier generally allows for less variability in how you carry your child than a more carrier like a wrap.  However, they are very popular as they are easier to learn to use and adjust correctly.

 

Capping

Capping is a term used to describe the way you can spread the fabric of your carrier across your shoulder to help distribute the weight more.

You use this technique with ring slings, woven wraps and some more structured carriers with wrap style straps such as meh dai or the Ergobaby Embrace carrier.

 

Cinch

Image credit - Manduca

One of the ways that the base of the carrier can be narrowed to fit smaller babies appropriately is a strap which cinches in the base.   

One example of this is the Manduca's Size-it.  Other carriers have built in cinch which you tighten, then tie to secure.   Lillebaby also have a similar product which you thread through loops inside the carrier to make it narrower, rather than wrapping around the whole base. 

  

Finger Walking

Finger walking is the term used to describe working your fingers through each part of the width of a wrap or sling, bit by bit, to make sure it is not twisted.

Usually you do this at the rings or near a slip knot, to make sure the fabric is not tangled and so slides smoothly when you tighten.

This is particularly helpful if you have left your ring sling pretied and it has rattled around in the bottom of your bag or the footwell of your car for a while before you put it back on.

 

Forward Facing Adjusters

When adjusting your carrier for forward facing, often the back panel is adjusted to make it easier to obtain a good seat and more comfortable for your child.  Some manufacturers adjust the back panel width at the base while others adjust with a slider or buttons part way up the panel. 

Please remember to follow the manufacturers guidelines for readiness to forward face, as this position is less supportive of your baby and requires them to have sufficient strength to maintain their own airways as they also compensate for your movement.

 

Half Buckle

This is a style of carrier that is a hybrid between a meh dai and a soft structured carrier.  It is essentially a meh dai with a buckled waist band rather than a tied waist band.  This gives the comfort and versitlity of a meh dai, with some of the convinience of a soft structured carrier.

 

Hip Carry

Hip carrys are a fantastic option as your child grows and wants to see a bit more of the world around them.
They still offer your child a lot of support, while giving the option of resting their head when tired, or hiding from the world if they get a bit overwhelmed.

From the time you find yourself naturally propping your child on your hip when you hold them in your arms, you will generally be ready to start carrying them this way in your carrier too.

Hip carry friendly carriers include ring slings, meh dai, woven wraps and some buckle carriers.

 

Hood

Pictured from left to right - Fidella meh dai, Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air, Boba X, Lenny Lamb Lenny Up

The hood is a good accessory to offer some protection from the elements or help provide head support for a sleeping child.

These can be removeable, held in place with domes, or sewn in.   In some cases there is a pocket at the top of the back panel to store the hood in when not in use, which can also double as a handy wee pocket for snacks or keys.

The hood is held up in place by attaching to the shoulder straps using a tie, dome or elastic.

It is important to remember when using a hood that you want to ensure you are able to view your babies nose and mouth easily to ensure that their airways don't become compromised.  Because of this I prefer to attach the hood to the opposite shoulder as pictured above.  This allows additional support without restricting your view.

 

Infant Insert 

Pictured from left to right - Ergobaby infant insert, Beco Eight infant insert, Tula infant insert

An infant insert is one way that we are able to extend the range of ages which a carrier is suitable for.   The infant insert serves two main functions.

1. To boost your newborn higher within the carrier, making it easier for their head to clear the back panel.
2. To provide a narrower seat for your child to sit on, so their legs do not get over extended.

Some infant inserts also have a section which extends up behind baby, and this helps to fill up some of the space within the carrier to help hold your newborn in position more securely without slumping or leaning

 

Knee-to-Knee

Knee to knee is the term used to describe how an ergonomic carrier supports your child all the way along their thighs when they are seated in the carrier. This makes it much easier to ensure you child is seated in the carrier or wrap in a comfortable position, with the majority of their weight being supported on their bottom.

If a carrier is too large for your child, extending beyond their knees it can cause the fabric to bunch at their knee pits or overextend their joints, which can be very uncomfortable.

If the base of the carrier is narrower and does not extend from knee to knee it isn't necessarily the end of the world, but it will not be quite as comfortable or supportive for your wee one. 

If you have a child with hip dysplasia, or a family history of hip dysplasia it is best to have a carrier which does support from knee to knee.  This is because a narrow based carrier has the potential to worsen any underlying hip instability.  

 

Lumbar Support

Pictured from left to right - Beco Eight, Ergobaby Omni 360

Not all carriers have lumbar support, though you are able to purchase the support separately and this generally can be used on other styles of carrier if required.  

If you generally do not suffer from back pain, but do struggle with this when babywearing, I suggest that you have a fit check by a qualified babywearing consultant before considering purchasing lumbar support.  Often very small tweaks to how your carrier is set up can make a huge difference to your comfort when you carry.

 

M-Position

When we talk about the M-position, what we are referring to is the shape that a child's legs make when they are seated in a carrier with their knees higher than their bottom.

If a child is seated like this in the carrier it means the weight of their body is placed on their bottom, it is less likely the edges of the carrier will dig in to their legs, and it keeps their hips in a more ergonomic position.

 

Meh Dai

Meh Dai are based on traditional Chinese carriers.  The consist of a back panel and wrap straps which secure around the waist and shoulders. 

The shoulder straps of a meh dai can be more structured and padded, or be wrap straps which are a single layer of fabric which moulds to your body.

 

Narrow Based Carrier

A narrow based carrier is one that does not help to support your child from knee-to-knee in the optimal M-position.  Many children are still carried happily in this style of carrier, though they may be less comfortable over longer periods of time as they are not as supportive of your child's legs.  They are also best avoided if you have any history of hip dysplasia in the family or if your child has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia.  This is because they have the potential to worsen any underlying hip instability.   A narrow based carrier will not cause hip dysplasia in a child who has normal hip development however.

 

Onbuhimo

Our modern onbuhimo carriers are based on a traditional Japanese carrier.
They consist of a back panel and shoulder straps, but no waist band.

Because there is no waistband, the fabric at the base of the carrier comes up between you and your child and the shoulder straps help to hold it up there. This means that your child's legs go through the arm straps too.

Generally onbuhimo are used for a high back carry, with your child's shoulders level with yours.  However there are some onbuhimo carriers available overseas which are designed for both front and back carrys.

This is a great option for quick up and down carries with toddlers, for when you are pregnant to avoid the discomfort of a waistband around a growing belly, and to avoid clashing straps when tandem carrying.

 

One-Way Stretch

One-way stretch is the term used to describe the properties of a stretchy wrap which has stretch along its width, but not along its length.

Because of this property you need to use a different technique to properly tighten the  wrap when you wear it compared to a two-way stretchy wrap.

 

Parent Facing

Parent Facing is the term used to describe a carry where your child is held tummy to tummy with you.  It is a very ergonomic carrying position for both yourself and your child.
Your little one can see your expressions and learn from your reactions.  Likewise you can see their expressions and are able to pick up on their cues far earlier than you might otherwise.  Also in this position your chest gives them the perfect spot to rest their head when they are tired or need to escape the stimulation of the world around them.

 

Pelvic Tuck

To perform a pelvic tuck, you place your baby securely in the carrier, then reach within the carrier and gently grasping baby's thighs, you scoop your hands towards your body slightly.   This tilts baby's pelvis to settle their weight down on their bottom and brings their knees up higher.  

This is a much more comfortable way for your baby to sit in their carrier than having their legs dangling.

Performing a pelvic tuck also helps to encourage an ergonomic curve to your baby's spine and helps position a young child so their head rests on your chest, rather than falling back.

 

Perfect Fit Adjusters (PFAs)

Pictured from left to right - Boba X, Lenny Lamb Lenny Up, Manduca, Soul Onbuhimo

 

Pockets

Pictured from left to right - Ergobaby Omni 360, Lillebaby Serenity (Image credit - Lillebaby), Beco Gemini, Lenny Lamb Lenny Up

As a parent we suddenly have significantly more things that we need to carry around with us on a day to day basis.  Whether it is a pocket big enough to fit a spare nappy and snacks, or just a small pocket so you don't need to dig around in the bottom of your nappy bag for your car key, the pocket on your carrier will be well utilised. 

Most carriers have a pocket at the waist band, with some even being removeable.   Another popular position for a small pocket, is at the top of the back panel.  It's intended purpose is to store the hood when it isn't in use, but if you have a removable hood that you do not usually leave attached, then this can be a good place to store your keys or other small items. 

  

Purse Clip

Pictured from left to right - Lillebaby Serenity (photo credit - Lillebaby), Boba X

This feature is found on the Boba X and the Lillebaby Serenity carriers.  If your bag is always falling off your shoulder, then this handy wee domed loop is the solution to your problems.  It is also a very convenient place to tether a toy or dummy to prevent it dropping the the ground or to clip your keys if you are really short on pocket space. 

 

Rail

With ring slings and woven wraps we often talk about the top or bottom 'rail'.
This refers to the hem or edge of the fabric that runs along it's length.

When you are learning, particularly with woven wraps, it can help to have a different colour for the top and bottom rails. This means it is easier to tell if the wrap or ring sling is twisted.
At times we deliberately twist the fabric, bit if it is done unintentionally, it can cause your carry to be uncomfortable and poorly tightened. 

 

Rings

The rings used for babywearing are a single piece of aluminium, with no welds or joins.  This means they are exceptionally strong, with no weak points or sharp joins which could cause wear on the fabric of the carrier.

Rings are used for a number of different carriers, including ring slings, meh dai, onbuhimo and woven wraps.  They are used to hold the fabric of the carrier in place instead of a buckle or a knot.

 

Ring Sling

A ring sling is a short length of woven fabric with two rings sewn into one end.
A good quality ring sling will generally have aluminum rings which have no weld or join to form a weak spot in the metal.

You can use a ring sling from birth, with young babies being worn centrally on your body. As your child grows you can move to a hip carry.  It is also possible to wear toddlers and older children with a ring sling, provided they fall within the weight range recommended by the manufacturer.

 

Safety Clip

Pictured from left to right - Ergobaby Omni 360, Manduca

Toddlers can be pretty good at escaping when they are somewhere they don't want to be.  Yes, I have had my child undo a buckle as I was wearing them, and a safety clip would have prevented this from occurring. 

With this style of buckle it requires you to lift or push another portion of the buckle clip at the same time as squeezing the buckle to release the strap.  It generally means you need to use two hands to undo the buckle, but it prevents the accidental release of a clip by inquisitive fingers. 

 

Safety Elastics 

Pictured from left to right - Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh, Beco Eight, Lenny Lamb Lenny Up

Some carriers have safety elastics for you to feed the buckle clip through before securing it.  This gives extra security in case a clip fails or a toddler tries to free themselves by releasing the buckle.  Although it takes a few seconds longer to properly fasten the buckle when using a safety elastic, please make sure you do use it.  You never think you need it until you actually do!

 

Seat

When you babywear using an unstructured carrier like a wrap or a ring sling, you need to create a seat to support your child's weight.

The seat positions their bottom and knees similarly to sitting on a hammock with your legs hanging over the side.

If you perfect your seat making, then your child can be supported with only a single layer of fabric, though many carries have extra passes that reinforce or pin the seat in place for extra security.

 

Shoulder Straps

Pictured from left to right - Beco Eight, Boba Air (Image Credit - Boba), Ergobaby Embrace, Lenny Lamb Lenny Up

There are a number of shoulder strap features to consider when purchasing a new carrier.

The amount of padding varies a lot between different brands and styles within a brand.  Some styles of carrier, rather than having padding, have wide straps that mould to your body to spread the weight of your child instead of having padding to cushion their weight.

Whether the webbing adjusts from near the back panel, on the end of the shoulder strap or at both ends, changes the range of motion required from your arm and wrist when adjusting the strap tension.  It is very common to have a preference on which direction of tightening you find more comfortable, so having a try before purchasing if you are not familiar with tightening carrier straps is a very good idea.   

Another feature which can be preferred by those who have narrow shoulders or have trouble with back pain, is the ability to cross the shoulder straps.  In order to do this, your shoulder straps need to have a buckle clip fastening at the end of the webbing, or have straps which fasten by tying such as in meh dai and half buckles.

For carrying very small babies, having the ability to fasten the shoulder straps under the child's bottom, rather than half way up the back panel can be really helpful to avoid the straps digging under your armpits or in the side of your breasts when the panel is adjusted to its shortest setting.

 

Sling Meet

A sling meet is another name for a babywearing group. These are gatherings run by experienced babywearing volunteers, where you can meet with other babywearers and share knowledge and experience.

Many groups have a library of carriers, so they are a perfect solution if you want to try out a few styles before purchasing a carrier. Some even hire out carriers for a small fee.

We are lucky in New Zealand that we have a number of groups throughout the country. If you would like to see if there is a group near you, Babywearing Aotearoa has an up to date list of babywearing groups on their website.

 

Strand-by-Strand Tightening

The term 'strand by strand tightening' refers to the method by which you tighten each portion of the wrap separately. It can also be used to describe how you tighten a ring sling or a meh dai with wrap straps.

In tightening each portion of the wrap individually, it means you get a snug fit of the wrap without any loose sections or digging areas.
At the minimum you want to tighten three 'strands' - the first edge, the central portion and the opposite edge. But the more sections of the wrap which you tighten individually, the more precise you can get the fit, and the more evenly the weight of your child will be spread across your body.

 

Stretchy Wrap

A stretchy wrap is a long length of fabric which you wrap around your self.  Generally you will pre-tie the wrap and then slip baby in and out of the carrier as needed.  

A stretchy wrap is a perfect option for newborns, as they are very soft on newborn skin and can give a perfect fit to even a very small newborn with the appropriate technique.  

As your child gets heavier though you will find that your stretchy wrap is no longer quite as supportive as it once was, and you will want to look for a more structured carrying option.

 

Soft Structured Carrier

A structured carrier is another term often used for a buckle carrier.  It is a type of carrier which has a back panel with straps sewn in to it.  This style of carrier generally allows for less variability in how you carry your child than a less structured carrier like a wrap.

 

Tandem Carry

With a tandem carry you carry two children at once. With young babies of similar age, such as twins, you can tandem carry with both on your front or hips.
When there is a bit of an age gap then usually you will end up with the younger child on your front and the older one on your back.

There are a wide range of different carrier combinations that can work for a tandem carry.  The one that works best for you will depend on the age of your children and what carriers you have available to you.

 

T.I.C.K.S

The acronym TICKS is one of the most common memory aids to help you remember all those important checks to make sure your child is safe and comfortable in their carrier.

T - Tight - to remove the fall risk and stop baby slumping in the carrier.

I - In sight - to make sure baby's mouth and nose are free of any obscuration and they don't over heat.

C - Close enough to kiss - this keeps baby's head on the firm part of your chest helps ensure clear airways, and a high carry is generally more comfortable for you too!

K - Keep their chin off their chest - just like in car seats, a gap of two finger with between baby's chin and chest means their airways remain nicely open.

S - Supported spine - supports baby's posture when they do not have to core strength to do so on their own, preventing slumping in the carrier.

 

Toddler Extenders

Pictured from left to right - Boba X (photo credit - Boba), Lillebaby (photo credit - Lillebaby)

Generally your carrier will stop giving knee to knee support for your toddler long before they outgrow the carriers weight limit.  A solution for this is to have an additional support which you can attach when needed and allows you to comfortably carry your toddler in the same carrier for a little longer. 

The Boba X uses an extender which zips on to the base of the carrier to widen it and provide extra support. 

The Boba 4GS and Lillebaby have stirrups which attach to the carrier to help support your child's legs when they are older.

 

Two-Way Stretch

This is the term used to describe the properties of a stretchy wrap which has stretch along its length and along its width.  This is probably the simplest style of stretchy wrap to get correctly tightened. 

 

Waist Band

Pictured from left to right - Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Mesh, Ergobaby Embrace, Beco Gemini, Baby Bjorn Mini

Waist bands on carriers can vary in width, length and rigidity.  The majority of buckle carriers on the market have a more structured waist band where the back panel comes out the top of the waist band.  

The second image shows the Ergobaby Embrace, which has an apron style waist band.  This is where the back panel is attached to the bottom of the waist band, and curves back up, forming a hammock for the baby to sit in.  

Some carriers have a small pocket or bag attached to the waist band which can be handy to carry bits and pieces while you are out and about.

The adjustment to the waist band of most structured carriers is via webbing and a sliding buckle.  Most adjust from only one side of the buckle, but some can adjust in either direction. 

Carriers such as meh dai's tend to have less structured waistbands which fasten by tying a knot.  

Not all carriers have waist bands however.  Some models of Baby Bjorn carriers, such as the one in the far right of the image above, have no waist band at all. Onbuhimo carriers also do not have a waist band.

  

Waist Band Extender

Plus sized parents do not have to miss out on the wonderful benefits of babywearing.  A waist band extender clips to the existing buckle on your waist band to give extra length when needed. 

 

Webbing

Webbing is the name for the fabric that forms the adjustable part of the shoulder strap or waist band.  It slides through the buckle to provide the adjustability to the strap. 

Other parts of the carrier that can utilise webbing include the perfect fit adjusters and panel height adjusters.

 

World Facing

World facing is the term used when baby faces the same way in the carrier as you do. It is a great option for those nosy infants that don't want to miss out on anything, but there are a few things to consider before turning your child around to see the world.

You want your child to have good core and neck control, to ensure they can protect their airways in this position. This is usually around 4 months old, and a good milestone to look out for to indicate their readiness is being able to tripod sit.  

Over stimulation can be a problem in this position and it is not safe for your child to nap facing this way.

This can also be a slightly more uncomfortable way to carry your child, for them and for you, so if you are not successful with this carrying variation, don't worry, there are other options you can explore that will also help your child see everything they want to see.  

Not all carriers support forward facing. So before you world face your child, check your carrier does offer this option. Generally you will also have to adjust the base setting of your carrier before turning your child to face the world

 

Woven Wrap

A woven wrap is a length of fabric woven for strength and comfort, which you wrap around yourself and baby.  It is one of the most versatile babywearing options, but the one with perhaps the steepest learning curve.  They can vary in length from as short as 2m to over 6m.

The thing l love about a woven wrap is that just one wrap can do many different styles of carry for all age ranges, from newborn right up to an adult if you had the strength!

Wrap Straps

Many meh dai and half buckle carriers are made using woven wrap material. This gives them the option of using wrap straps instead of more structured, padded straps.

Because of the wide spread of fabric used to make a wrap strap, you are able to strand-by-strand tighten them. This means tightening each section of the strap individually allowing the strap to hug your body and distribute the weight of your child evenly. Because of this, you can achieve an amazingly comfortable carry without needing bulky padding on your shoulders.