Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
For a newborn and young baby, the safe position is upright, facing you, high on your chest and held snugly, with their face visible and their chin off their chest. Other positions, such as facing out, on the hip or on your back, come later, once your baby has strong head control and your carrier's instructions say it is suitable for their age and weight. Whatever the position, the checks below come first.
The TICKS check, every time
UK safety bodies, including the Lullaby Trust guidance on slings and carriers, use the TICKS rule to help make sure a carried baby can breathe easily and does not overheat. The NCT guide to baby slings and carriers explains each point:
- Tight: the sling hugs your baby close to you. If it is loose, your baby can slump, which can partly close their airway.
- In view at all times: you can see your baby's face just by glancing down, without opening any fabric.
- Close enough to kiss: your baby's head is as close to your chin as is comfortable.
- Keep chin off the chest: there is always at least a finger's width of space under your baby's chin.
- Supported back: your baby's back is held in a natural position, not curled into a deep C shape.
The Lullaby Trust says the risk appears greatest when a baby's airway is blocked, which usually happens when the chin drops onto the chest. RoSPA's advice on baby slings also warns that a curled, C like position can cause suffocation. Never cover your baby's face with a dupatta, shawl, hood or blanket while you carry them.
Newborns: upright and facing you
RoSPA recommends a carrier that holds a baby firmly against the parent's body in an upright position, and the NCT says the safest carrier holds the baby upright and facing you. For the first six months the NCT recommends the spread squat, also called the jockey or "M" position, with your baby's legs spread around you and the knees bent up. It says this helps the hips develop well, which matters most if your baby is carried for long periods.
Healthy, full term babies can be carried from the early weeks in a sling or carrier made for their size. Babies born early, with a low birth weight or with a medical condition are different: the NCT and RoSPA both advise asking a health professional before you start.
Facing out, hip and back carries
The UK guidance above does not give fixed ages for these positions, so be wary of any chart that does. What it does make clear is that young babies cannot hold their heads up well, which is why chin and face checks matter so much under four months. Before you try another position:
- Facing out: wait until your baby has steady head and neck control, use only a carrier designed for it, and keep the M shaped seat rather than letting legs dangle straight. Turn your baby back to face you when they get tired or sleepy, because you can no longer see their face easily.
- Hip carries: suit older babies who like to look around. Keep them high and snug and swap sides to spare your back.
- Back carries: only when the manufacturer's instructions allow it for your baby's age and weight. Practise over a bed or with another adult helping, and check often that your baby is still upright and their face is clear.
Always check the minimum and maximum age and weight on your carrier's label, and stop using it once your baby is beyond the limits.
Wrap or structured carrier?
A wrap is a long piece of fabric you tie around yourself. It gives a very snug, adjustable fit for a small newborn and a single layer of cotton can feel cooler in Indian summers, but tying it safely takes practice. A structured carrier uses buckles and padded straps. It is quicker to put on and take off on busy days and often spreads the weight of a heavier baby more comfortably. Many families use a wrap in the early months and a buckled carrier later. You can compare both types in the baby carriers and wraps collection.
Other safety points
- The NCT says never to sleep while wearing your baby in a sling or carrier. If your baby falls asleep and you are home, move them onto their back in their cot.
- Do not breastfeed or bottle feed hands free in a carrier. RoSPA does not recommend it, and the NCT and Lullaby Trust say it is especially unsafe for young or premature babies.
- Check second hand slings for worn fabric, stitching or buckles, and do not use one if you have doubts.
- Dress your baby in light layers inside the carrier, since your body heat warms them too, and keep the face uncovered.
- After a caesarean, ask your doctor or midwife when it is comfortable to start carrying your baby.
When to get advice
If you cannot see your baby's face or they do not seem to be breathing easily, take them out of the carrier straight away and check them. Ask your doctor before carrying a baby who was premature, had a low birth weight or has a health condition, and ask if you notice your baby always holds their legs or hips unevenly.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
