Babywearing is a very common part of parenting in New Zealand and features in a lot of social media. Most new parents get most of their babywearing information from social media and often don't even read their carrier instructions. So new parents are exposed to both positive and often unsafe baby carrier content in their feed.
We want your baby to be worn in the safest way as possible as we're sure want as well! We're here to help and support you to learn to use your carrier and enjoy babywearing safely and comfortably.
And if you're an influencer or content creator with a baby, it's likely at some point your baby carrier will features in your content. So while you're learning to babywear, please consider your influence and audience and ensure you show you baby carrier as safely as possible.
We're here to help as much as we can.
Resources:
We have created a guide specifically for content creators and influencers to help you create and share safe babywearing content. Click here for the guide.
Support:
- You're very welcome to drop into our DMs with photos for a fit and safety check
- You can book a free zoom lesson or safety check with one of our babywearing consultants
- We offer free in-person lessons in our Auckland office
- Bookings for in-person or zoom lessons can be made here:
- by phone - 09 8168706
- email - babywearing@thesleepstore.co.nz
Which carrier will be best for me?
Choosing a carrier which fits your lifestyle and fits your baby safely doesn't need to be difficult. We're here to help you choose the right carrier for you.
Please be aware than many aesthetic brands of carriers in particular may not safe for newborns and can be very difficult for even an experienced babywearing consultant to get a safe fit for a small baby.
Brands like Mabe, Artipoppe, Mover and others are beautiful can be too big, to tall or too loose fitting to easily meet the TICKS guidelines for safe newborn carrying. The main issue is that the back panel height is too wide and tall to fit below baby's ears and ensure face and airways are clear. You're welcome to consult with us about how the fit of your carrier can be safely adjusted for your baby.
It's useful to know that carriers may be weight tested from 3.2kg and advertised as suitable from newborn but please be aware the safety standard testing does not actually cover SAFE FIT FOR NEWBORNS - just that the demo baby hasn't fallen out and the carrier hasn't broken during testing. This is very different to ensuring the carrier can be worn in a way that a newborn baby's airways are not compromised.
If you are not sure which carrier will be right for you, book a consultation with one of our team at The Sleep Store, who have NZ's best range of safe baby carriers - babywearing@thesleepstore.co.nz
Influencer samples of safe carriers may be available. Please reach our to the Social Media Manager at The Sleep Store who provide all our carriers - social@thesleepstore.co.nz
Safety essentials for social media content
View our guide for safe babywearing content here
WEAR IT HIGH :
- Wear your carrier high on your body, just under your ribs for most carriers and most newborns
- Ensure baby is close enough to kiss / your chin can rest on their head - this means your your baby against the firm part of your chest
- One size fits all carriers are generally NOT suitable for the first 6-8 weeks unless you are very careful and modify the way the carrier is worn
- Please do not show your carrier panel up over baby's head as this can restrict breathing
- Ask us for a fit check or help to see if your carrier can be adapted to be worn safely
IN VIEW AT ALL TIMES:
- Ensure your baby's mouth and nose are visible in your content
- Make sure your wrap or hybrid carrier (eg Boba Bliss) is away from baby's face, ie no further over than the ear
- The back panel of your carrier should not be higher than the bottom of baby's ears
- Do not show your baby's head covered by the carrier, due to either the carrier being too big, neck support or hood used (these are for back carrying and tall babies)
TIGHT:
- Ensure your baby is carried snugly and can't slump down in the carrier
- Make sure your wrap or hybrid carrier (eg Boba Bliss) is not loosely worn
SLEEP / CONTACT NAPS:
- Face should be fully visible
- Do not use the carrier or hood to cover baby's face while sleeping
- Please do not give the impression you are going about your day without closely monitoring your baby while they are sleeping.
COOKING OR OTHER POTENTIALLY UNSAFE ACTIVITIES
- Please consider whether what you are showing is safe carrier use
- Please be mindful of showing content where baby or child could get burnt or otherwise injured
- Do not show baby carrier use for any activities you wouldn't do with baby in your arms - for example do not show babywearing while biking, skiiing etc
How do I know my carrying content is safe?
First stop is to check our content creator guide to safe babywearing! We have created this to help you ensure your babywearing is both safe for your precious baby and to help you share safe content to your followers. CLICK HERE FOR OUR GUIDE.
We encourage you to reach out to us for a babywearing lesson before your baby arrives to ensure you are carrying your baby safely from day one. This is also a good opportunity to check the carrier you have is suitable from newborn. This is a completely free service and can be accessed by Zoom or in-person if you are in Auckland.
We have a lot of useful videos on our Tiktok showing safe and unsafe carrying, please see if there is one for the carrier you use.
We offer a free fit check service before you post content - just DM us your photos to check baby's airways are visible, your carrier is a suitable size and your baby is safe!
if you are posting content with a Carifit, please remember that your app membership includes booking a lesson or fit check with the Carifit team in London. Just book through the app!
Why should I make sure my content is safe?
Your baby will be worn as safely as possible and your carrying will be as comfortable as possible!
You avoid any negative comments for your carrying being unsafe. Overseas it is very common for influencers to receive a flood of messages and comments if they show unsafe carrying and we certainly don't want you to experience that early in your parenting journey!
It's great for your reputation to be seen as setting a good example for sharing safe babywearing and reinforcing the safely messages that keep New Zealand babies safe.
