"My Baby Hates The Baby Carrier!" Here's Nine Solutions.
It can be really upsetting as a parent when you invest in a gorgeous carrier, expecting lots of lovely hands-free cuddles, and then your baby doesn’t even want to go up! You even might be tempted to give up the idea of babywearing entirely… but before you toss your carrier in the trash, I want to reassure you that things are not always how they seem.
Let’s be clear: this scenario doesn’t happen to everyone, but it is fairly common. So if this is you, or if you ever find yourself in this situation, please know that you’re not alone!
If your little one cries as soon as they’re put in the carrier, there are plenty of reasons why this could be happening, and not necessarily because they hate being up!
Hunger
Babies, especially teeny tiny ones, get hungry all the time. Their tummies are small and don’t stay full for long. And they feed for lots of other reasons too, not just hunger. So when they’re suddenly held close to their food source and can smell it (if you’re breastfeeding), but aren’t able to actually feed when they want to, it can be pretty upsetting for them. The best time to put baby up is when their tummies are full, but not totally full and they are likely to be content. Perhaps try waiting until 10-20 minutes after a feed so that the food is all settled but they are still full! You don't have to do this unless you suspect it might be the reason your little one is upset, of course.
Tiredness
Some babies go to sleep when they’re tired. Other babies (like mine), tend to stay wide-eyed and get rather cranky instead, and need a bit of help to drift off. If your baby is tired, putting them up in a baby carrier, especially if they’re unfamiliar with it, could frustrate them. When trying new things, it’s ideal to go for times when your baby is more relaxed. Soon you’ll probably find that the carrier actually helps to relax your tired baby so that they can drift off more easily.
Tummy Pain
Little babies can often suffer from tummy pain. Some babies more than others need time to adjust to the world, to their food, and even crying can result in wind and tummy pains. It’s entirely possible that your little one is upset because of this (or even other pains). Come back to the carrier when your little one is more relaxed (new things are not welcome when you’re already not feeling great!). You might even find your baby carrier can help with getting wind up (or down!).
Toilet Time
Believe it or not, babies are actually aware of when they need to urinate or do a poo. They also have a natural instinct to not do their business on another person! This instinct eventually dulls as nappies become the norm, but it may be another factor to your child's unsettledness. If you are carrying your baby and suddenly he has to wee, he may get very upset cause he needs to wee but he doesn’t want to wee on you. Take baby out, and just lay/sit/or stand them up on their own and try again in 5 minutes with a clean nappy.
Stress
If you’re a bit stressed or on edge, it’s entirely possible that your little one is sensing it, and as a result, can’t relax in the carrier. Babies can pick up on these things, believe it or not! Try to relax if you can. If you’re feeling anxious about the carrier because you’re new to babywearing, practice a few times with a demo doll (even a big teddy bear will work!) so that you’re calm and confident when you put your baby up.
New Stuff!
Like all new things, they do take some time to get use to and become ‘normal’. Keep trying your baby in the carrier at relaxed times during the day for short spurts. Go for a walk to get some fresh air and just keep moving!
Anything?!
Honestly, there could be any number of factors that might make your little darling a bit sad. Are you wearing clothing that looks or feels a bit strange to your child? Are you wearing perfume (lots... or even just a little perfume can be off-putting!)? Is the room too bright? Are there noises disturbing your little one? Wouldn’t it be great if we could read minds? :-)
Striking
This particular point applies more to older babies and toddlers. Often a baby will be quite happy to go up in the carrier, and then suddenly refuse or protest. This is colloquially referred to as a “strike”. Sometimes your child will want to be carried, and sometimes they will prefer to explore the world on their own. Don’t sell your carrier just yet! Most parents find that their babies and toddlers go through phases where they need close cuddles, and other phases where they prefer to be more independent.
The Carrier
Last but not least, it really needs to be said: YES, your baby might actually hate your baby carrier. This doesn’t mean babywearing is off the cards for you! Nearly all babies love to be held close to a trusted parent, feeling their heartbeat, keeping safe and warm. But there are a few things that could be preventing the love with your particular carrier:
- Not fitted correctly
- Not the right size (perhaps baby’s legs are over-extended or not knee-to-knee, or the back panel is too high or low)
- Not set up correctly (some carriers can take a bit of learning to get right)
- Just not the right carrier (honestly, some carriers just aren’t designed as well as others, and some may not suit you both as some carriers just work better for different individuals)
If you’ve tried everything else on this list, I would 100% recommend booking in with a babywearing consultant who can give you expert advice on helping your little one love the carrier. You may wish to also see a chiropractor or osteopath to see if there is any underlying issues causing your baby discomfort.
Mamas and Daddies… my heart hurts for those of you who just want to carry your babies. Babywearing is such a wonderful, practical tool, that enables you to hold your baby safe and close, while going about your day. So let me encourage you to persevere – it IS worth it. And in the meantime, there are always other ways to keep your baby close.
Head to a local babywearing meet to receive peer support or book a consultation with me for 1:1 help. Let's get you enjoying babywearing snuggles asap!
Consultations can take place in your home or via video chat.
Please be sure to pass this article on to any parents who might be on the verge of giving up on their babywearing journey. There’s a good chance that if they try these tips, they too will enjoy the bliss of babywearing!
- Brooke x x
Copyright Brooke Maree © 2020
Being a copycat or blatantly stealing is never cool. There is a fine line between inspiration and stealing, so please be respectful, honest, and full of integrity when sharing this piece of writing or using its information. Many hours of work, planning, and editing goes into our pieces to ensure the highest quality first-hand information. Any of our work that is plagiarised will be brought to attention. That being said, you are ALWAYS welcome to share our content, as long as you attribute and link back to the source. xxx
1 Response
Leave a comment
Comments will be approved before showing up.
Also in News
Babywearing and Hip Dysplasia
Many parents wonder if they can still use a baby carrier if their baby is in a brace and being treated for Hip Dysplasia. The short answer is usually always yes! Which is great news. It’s about finding a suitable carrier style that is comfortable for you and your baby whilst they are in the brace.
Louise
December 21, 2016
You left off one reason, you are trying to face them in when they want to face out! Both my girls hated facing in with a passion, both in carriers and when being held. As soon as they could face out, they started liking being worn but if I tried facing in or a hip carry or back carry they were not happy! Some kids just need to see the world.