Baby Held Upright & High on Chest, Close Enough to Kiss
The recommended and most ideal newborn position in any of the Didymos carriers is upright, tummy to tummy (or baby’s tummy to wearer’s chest if baby is very small). Whether baby is in a carrier or in arms, the upright tummy-to-tummy position for baby has an enormous amount of benefits.
Baby should always be high and tight in a Didymos carrier. A general rule of thumb should be that you can kiss the top of baby’s head easily in the carrier without having to bend down.
Keeping baby high, tight and close will also ensure a comfortable wearing experience for the wearer as the wearer’s centre of gravity will be more balanced and the weight of the baby will be evenly distributed on the wearer.
Further Benefits of Keeping Baby Upright and Chest-to-Chest
- It is a natural and calming position that helps regulate baby’s body temperature and heart rate.
- Lowers anxiety and crying.
- Aids in digestion.
- The wearer is able to follow baby’s cues and respond to baby’s needs immediately since baby is held close.
- As baby develops and grows, they are able to see the world at the wearers level. They can observe and be a part of the wearer’s verbal and physical interactions. This aids in baby’s cognitive brain development.
Baby should be snug enough in the carrier that if you move position or bend over, baby should not slump or fall to the side. There should be no slack or gaps in the fabric that is surrounding your baby. Baby’s chin should never be tilted downwards towards their chest. Baby’s cheek should be to wearer’s chest NOT their face into the wearer’s chest.
Chin Up & Face in View at All Times
Baby’s face should always be visible with chin lifted off of his/her chest. This ensures that airways do not become pinched or obstructed. A baby’s airway is as thin as a straw and when the chin drops to the chest, the airway may constrict. A general rule of thumb is that you should be able to place two fingers between baby’s chin and chest. When being worn, baby’s face should be resting against the chest of the wearer and not buried into the chest. In order to maintain proper airflow, nothing should be in front of baby’s face. Lastly, the fabric of the carrier should only reach the base of baby’s neck or to the bottom of baby’s ears without ever covering baby’s face.
The Front Wrap Cross Carry as the Ultimate Newborn Carry
For new parents and wearers, we always suggest the Front Wrap Cross Carry. It is a carry that is easily adjustable, quick to master, fully supportive, completely ergonomic in that is offers optimal support for your new baby, and is comfortable for the wearer. This step-by-step tutorial shows the basic steps. Further adjustments can be made as one becomes more familiar with finer details of precise adjustments. Happy wearing!
The Front Wrap Cross Carry