Checking Baby’s Position in an Ergobaby Carrier
Is Your Baby Carrier Position 'Right'? Here's How to Check
You've strapped your baby in, you're heading out the door, but something feels a little off. Maybe their head looks too tucked, or their legs seem to be dangling awkwardly. If you've ever paused mid-babywearing session and thought "does this look right?", you're not alone and the good news is, the most common positioning mistakes are easy to spot and even easier to fix
There are two key things to check every time you pop your baby into a carrier: the curve of their spine, and the position of their legs
Getting the 'C' Shape Spine Right
When positioned correctly, your baby's spine should curve naturally inward, forming a gentle 'C' shape as they're cuddled against your body. This isn't just about comfort it mirrors the natural curl your baby's spine has in the womb and supports healthy spinal development
Two of the most common mistakes alongside the optimal position
If baby is hugged in too close: This can restrict their airways, increase the risk of overheating, and force the spine into an unnaturally exaggerated curve. The fix is simple loosen the straps at baby's sides slightly to let the spine relax into its natural, gentler 'C' shape
If baby isn't held close enough: This creates a real risk that baby could slump down inside the carrier, which can restrict their airway one of the more serious positioning issues to watch for. The fix here is the opposite: tighten the side straps so baby is properly cuddled in against your body. Done correctly, baby's head should sit 'close enough to kiss' one of the well-known TICKS safety rules of babywearing
Getting the 'M' Shape Leg Position Right
The second thing to check is leg position. When seated correctly, your baby's knees should sit higher than their hips, with thighs supported along their length forming an "M" shape. This positioning is widely recommended by hip health organisations because it supports healthy hip joint development
If baby's legs are hanging, with knees lower than hips: This usually means the seat of the carrier needs adjusting to better suit your baby's size and the carrying position you're using. Always check your specific carrier's instructions for sizing guidance. If you're using an Ergobaby 360 or Omni 360 carrier, make sure you're using the black seat buttons when carrying baby in the front inward-facing position
If baby's legs are splayed flat, unable to bend at the knee: This typically happens when the fabric of the carrier seat is too tight or not adjusted correctly, preventing baby's knees from bending naturally. Again, the fix is to adjust the seat according to your carrier's specific instructions
One handy trick for nailing this position is the pelvic tuck — a small adjustment that helps settle baby's hips into the optimal seated position. Brooke Maree Babywearing has a great video demonstration if you want to see exactly how it's done
Still Not Sure? Help Is Available
Positioning can take a bit of practice to get right, and that's completely normal. If you're feeling unsure, there are plenty of resources to help:
- Visit our YouTube channel for video tutorials covering all our carriers, showing correct positioning and sharing top tips along the way
- If you'd like more personalised guidance, we'd genuinely recommend giving us a call to talk it through sometimes a quick chat is all it takes to feel confident again!
Getting the position right makes all the difference to both your comfort and your baby's safety and wellbeing during every babywearing session — so it's always worth double checking
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How to Check Baby’s Positioning in your Carrier