FAQ - Babytragen, Tragehilfen

Mr X Fullbuckle von Madame Jordan - emerald Wellensittische - Tandem mit Mr X

FAQ about babywearing

Carrying your baby is not only a wonderful way to create closeness, but also practical in everyday life. As with many products that affect the well-being of your child, there are also many questions when it comes to baby carriers. Whether you want to find out about safety, correct use or care and materials, you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions in our FAQ section. We understand that parents want the best for their child and endeavour to provide transparent and helpful information. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. We are here to help and to ensure that the babywearing experience is comfortable for both you and your baby.

General questions about baby carriers:

What is the difference between a baby wrap and a baby carrier? A wrap is actually a piece of fabric that has a special elasticity so that it fits snugly around you and your baby. You tie a wrap around your body in different ways and it always fits you and your child. A baby carrier, on the other hand, consists of a back section, straps and sometimes an optional hip belt. This depends on the size of your child and can have very different shapes.
From what age can I wear my baby in a baby carrier? Generally from birth, but it depends on the right baby carrier. Many manufacturers work with weight specifications, whereby the length and weight should be seen in conjunction with factors such as the crouching/spreading of the baby's legs and the muscles. One child of the same weight will sit very well in a baby carrier, whereas another child of the same weight will slump and simply not sit well in it.
How long can I carry my child in the baby carrier? There is no limit and you can carry your baby for as long and as much as you like and as long as nothing hurts. Especially at the beginning after a birth, you should listen to your body and carry less or sit more. Your baby knows your heartbeat, your breathing, your pulse and your heartbeat, so this can be its centre of calm.

Health and safety:

Is babywearing in a baby carrier safe for my baby? Yes, if you pay attention to the following points. The baby carrier or sling should stop at the atlas vertebra (the uppermost cervical vertebra directly under the head) and fit snugly there. This ensures that your baby's airways, i.e. the nose, are free. This should always be visible from the outside of the carrier. Headrests are not sun protection and support the head of your older child. Otherwise, you can test whether the baby carrier or sling is close enough to your body. To do this, lean forwards slightly and place one hand between you and your baby's tummy. If a second hand can easily fit in there, everything must be tighter. If both of these things are not possible in a baby carrier, i.e. the airway is free and tight enough on the child's body, please do not use this baby carrier. You may be able to use it when your baby has grown.
How do I make sure that my baby is sitting in the correct ‘M position’? In a good baby carrier, like all the ones you can find here, your child automatically sits in a so-called ‘M-position’, which means that your child's knees are higher than their bottom in the baby carrier. However, the angle at which the legs are spread apart can be more important for your child's well-being, which is greater with more stable hip straps and less with thinner ones. We have therefore opted for a smaller size above the hip belt, as the child then sits less on the hip belt and has less over-spread.
Can baby carriers cause or prevent hip dysplasia? A good baby carrier supports the maturation of the hips and supports the correct angle with the squatting position. This means that your child sits from just before the hollow of the knee in the back part with both legs and the bottom is lower than the knee. If you are unsure, speak to a babywearing consultant, your midwife or talk to your orthopaedic surgeon during the hip ultrasound and show them how you carry your baby.
Are there any specific health requirements or restrictions for babywearing? Carrying should not hurt! After birth, for example, the body is still very sensitive and can compensate well for less pressure. Your baby should generally have good vital functions, but you can discuss this with the specialist team. Even premature babies can be carried. If you have physical limitations yourself, an individual babywearing consultation can help you find your way into babywearing.

Care and Material:

How do I wash and care for my baby carrier correctly? Most baby carriers can simply be washed in the washing machine. Make sure to use a low temperature, a low spin speed and do not use a tumble dryer, fabric softener or bleach. Smaller stains can also be washed out by hand. In general, excessive washing should be avoided, as most fabrics are gently coloured and are more likely to fade.
What materials are the baby carriers made from? We only use natural fabrics made from cotton, linen, hemp etc. This means that we avoid microplastics as far as possible and only use plastic parts where they make sense, e.g. because metal is too heavy or cotton webbing does not last long enough with heavy use.
Are the materials allergy-friendly and ecologically safe? We have our fabrics woven ourselves from organic cotton or regional linen. With all other manufacturers, we make sure that they are harmless. If you react to certain materials, we are sure to find something in our selection that might be suitable. It might be a good idea to have a customised carrier made from a sling of your choice.

Use and adjustment:

How do I tie a wrap correctly? In general, make sure that your child is upright, has a clear airway and is firmly attached to your body. Otherwise, you can do a test to see whether the wrap is close enough to your body. From birth, the cross wrap carrier, the kangaroo or even the simple rucksack on the back are recommended. These tying methods are easy to learn, support your child's hunched position and provide sufficient support when tied correctly. You are welcome to watch my video on the wrap cross carry in a regular wrap or elasticated wrap.
How do I adjust the baby carrier for me and my baby? In a good baby carrier, you can adjust the back panel so that it goes from knee to knee and there is no pressure there. You can easily check this with your finger. The legs should dangle freely downwards at the knee and not stick out. Otherwise, it is important to support the neck area well, which can be done with the help of a headrest, e.g. by rolling up, a cushion or a neck reduction. It is important for you to distribute the weight evenly. Sometimes you can adjust the straps differently, shorten them or add extra padding. You should have the feeling that your child is close enough to your body and that the weight is well distributed. If you feel pain, you should get help straight away or check the settings.
Can I breastfeed while wearing my baby? Yes, it is sometimes unavoidable to feed or breastfeed your child in the baby carrier. However, your baby should be stable enough and you should be familiar with breastfeeding. In general, it usually works after the first 3-4 months in almost every baby carrier. To do this, loosen it slightly, push it down and secure it again so that your baby is sitting at the required height. Here in the video I show you how to breastfeed in a ring sling.

Product selection:

My baby is already 70 cm tall, can I use size 2? Well, we start from your baby's height and optimise the back sections. If your baby is smaller, it may be that the back part is still a little long, i.e. it sits in the carrier up to the ear, although it no longer needs the support or you wear the hip belt higher and then have a less good weight distribution. If you are unsure, order a rental carrier in advance.
Which baby carrier is best for newborns? Depending on their weight and size, a newborn baby can be carried in any baby carrier in the baby size range. This is defined very differently. In our shop, we have made a preselection of the best baby carriers available worldwide. We often recommend our Mini Mei Tai, a baby wrap or a ring sling for the first few weeks. Both fit babies under 50 cm very well and you can discover babywearing for yourself.
Can I use the same carrier for both my newborn and my toddler? Very often this does not work. Exceptions are the ring sling, the podaegi or a baby sling. In general, baby carriers depend on the size of your child, but with the specific size of your children we can decide more precisely which baby carrier is best for you.
Which carrier is best for longer walks or hikes? A carrier with good weight distribution is best suited for longer walks or hikes. In general, carrying your child on your back is better for walking than in front of your belly and high enough so that your child can look over your shoulder. For children who walk, a small carrier such as an Onbuhimo or a ring sling can be used for resting in between.

Right of return and guarantee:

What happens if the baby carrier doesn't fit or I don't like it? Then you can return it within 14 days without giving a specific reason. If this period has expired, we will often exchange the baby carrier for a voucher or another baby carrier. In any case, make sure that the baby carrier is in its original packaging, complete, unused and in good condition. If you are unsure which baby carrier is right for you, we will be happy to advise you in advance and lend you a carrier to try out.
Is there a guarantee on the baby carriers? Yes, in general the 2-year warranty also applies to all baby carriers. The warranty covers defects that the product already had at the time of purchase or that occur shortly afterwards. We will repair or replace the product within this period, depending on what is reasonable or possible.

Shipping and delivery:

How long does the delivery take? We always ship from our location in Berlin. Within Berlin the delivery time is 1-2 days. Outside of Berlin this can be 2-3 days. We use DPD or DHL for shipping and choose the best option for you.
Do you also ship abroad? Yes, we ship worldwide.
What are the shipping costs? This is generally indicated in the shopping basket and also varies depending on the shipping service provider. If it seems too much for you, we can also choose a cheaper option. The choice is sometimes large letter, DPD or DHL.

Accessories and extras:

What accessories are available for the baby carriers? We produce babywearing covers that you can use in the colder months of the year. Otherwise, our clothing is optimised for babywearing, i.e. the trousers have long cuffs and plenty of room in the bum area.
Do I need additional accessories to use the carrier? No, you can use any carrier as we sell it.

Advice and support:

Do you offer personalised babywearing advice? Yes, every purchase includes free advice on adjusting and fitting the carrier, either online or in-store. More detailed advice on choosing the right baby carrier is also possible and is offered online via Zoom or in-store. You can also discuss your own baby carrier products.
Where can I find instruction videos or books? You can find photo instructions in the instructions section. You can also get paper instructions for every product and on our YouTube channel you will also find lots of videos organised in playlists.