When to Stop Using a Baby Carrier?

Stay informed of the right time to stop using a baby carrier from this blog post I wrote from my own personal experiences and research!

Many parents stop using a baby carrier with their kids after 18 months. Especially when their toddler is learning to walk and asking for more floor time. However, if you have a good back, you can carry a 4-year-old kid in a carrier.

Uncertain about which baby carrier to get? Take a look at this list of the best baby carriers. I have put lots of hours into this baby carrier buying guide, and you’ll find the ideal carrier for your child!

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Everyone asks when it’s okay to start using a baby carrier; I know I did too. But knowing when to stop is equally important. I’ve seen far too many parents using a baby carrier when their baby was clearly too big for it.

Yes, I know baby carriers can be life-saving and help you multitask as nothing else can. On the other hand, using them beyond their weight and age limit can actually pose a threat to both your baby and you!

When To Stop Using a Baby Carrier?

Truth be told, it’s a little tricky to know the exact time when a baby is too big for a baby carrier.

There’s always the option of switching to a different kind of baby carrier, one that can accommodate the weight of your baby. There will come a time, however, when no type of baby carrier will suit you or your baby.

In fact, the first few signs that it’s time to bid farewell to your favorite baby carrier is when you start getting pain in your muscles. Especially after carrying a large-sized baby in a carrier for too long.

Your baby might also start demanding more floor time – that’s when you really know that your days with the baby carrier are numbered.

Baby carriers come in all different shapes and sizes, each with their own specific weight requirements. There’s both a minimum weight and a maximum weight indication that you should follow. In my opinion, that’s the best way to know when you need to stop or switch to another baby carrier that has a higher maximum weight indication.

Choosing the right baby carrier for a growing baby can do a number on your wallet, I know! But that doesn’t mean you should jeopardize the safety of your child (or your spine, for that matter) by overusing that one baby carrier you bought in your life.

When to Stop Using Infant Insert with Baby Carrier?

Infant inserts can come in handy when you have a newborn that you need to carry.

Regular baby carriers are never small enough to safely support an infant, especially if he’s at the lower end of the weight chart. That’s why infant inserts were made – to snugly secure your baby until he’s old enough to switch to a carrier without the inserts.

The question is – how long do you have to keep using the infant inserts before you can safely remove them from your baby carrier?

When it comes to newborns, you need to make sure they have enough neck support to be carried in a baby carrier safely. Typically babies will have strong neck muscle control by 4 to 6 months which is when you can take out the inserts.

Your baby should also be comfortable with their legs splayed instead of a froggy position to fit in a baby carrier without an insert. This also usually happens around the same time neck muscles develop.

Weight is also another critical factor that plays in. Usually, an infant of around 5-6 kg should be able to support himself without needing an infant insert.

When to Stop Using Baby Carrier with a Newborn?

When I became a new dad, I wanted to take the safe, universally-tested route with my baby. That meant no baby carriers until I was completely sure my baby was old enough for one.

That’s just how many (or most!) over-careful parents think.

The truth is, newborns can actually be put in a carrier right away. Heck, you can bring the baby carrier to the hospital if you like. The critical thing to remember is to make sure your baby meets the minimum weight requirement or if he needs inserts.

Baby carriers for newborns need to be stopped or switched to a different variety once your baby meets the maximum weight criteria for the baby carrier for newborn. This is usually around 4-6 months when the baby starts developing good neck support.

Once you switch from a newborn baby carrier to a carrier for slightly older babies, the face-forward position is an excellent option to consider. Face-forward carriers allow the baby to interact with the environment, all the while staying close to the parent.

When to Stop Using Baby Carrier with a Baby?

This is a tricky age group, to be honest. From 9 months to 18 months, your baby grows fast! That essentially means that you’ll always have to switch to different baby carriers to find the most comfortable option for that particular age.

Usually, when your baby is over 9 months old, you can carry them on your back or in the face-forward position whatever they prefer. The vital thing to note is the maximum weight limit for the baby carrier that you opt for.

So, in essence, baby carriers with a baby can be switched from time to time, depending on the growth and preference of your child. After 2 years, you might start to find baby carriers a bit of a hassle and pain primarily when you use them on your back. That’s a sign that you should stop using a baby carrier altogether.

When To Stop Using Baby Carrier with a Toddler?

A toddler is a baby anywhere from 1 to 4 years, so this age group overlaps with the one I discussed under the last subheading.

Many parents, including me, find it hard to keep up with a baby carrier when the toddler is over 2 years old. That’s not only because he’s just too heavy to be carried for a long time. But also because the toddler will prefer to crawl, walk, or just get some more floor time. Walking and running is a normal milestone at this age and should be encouraged. That’s why using a baby carrier in toddlerhood can actually be a hindrance to healthy development.

However, if you’re a strong advocate for baby carriers, then you can always go for baby carriers that are made for babies 18 months and older. Some parents just prefer carrying their toddler even till they are age 5 on their backs. Anything after that might just not be right for both your child and your health.

Here are my two cents on when to stop baby carriers with toddlers: if it works for you, go for it but when your child is clearly grown enough (I’m talking 4 years+) perhaps it’s time to let them explore the world on their own two feet.

What is the Baby Carrier Age Range?

By now, it should be evident that babies can be carried in a baby carrier from day one to about 4-5 years of age. What matters is the type of baby carrier you’re using at each age group.

Every baby carrier will have its own set of weight requirements that you should follow.

The weight of your baby will correspond to the age; here’s a quick overview of the different types of baby carriers you can use at different age ranges:

• 0-4 months: This is when your baby won’t have enough neck support and will be comfortable in an ‘M’ or froggy position. It’s a good idea to use infant inserts at this stage.
• 4-8 months: Once your baby can support his neck, you can shift to other types of baby carriers without using an insert. Most babies will be comfortable with a face-forward position at this time as well.
• 9-18 months: Think standard baby carriers for your baby. You can also carry your baby in a back carrier if they meet the minimum weight requirement.
• 18 months to 4 years: This is more of a personal preference to use a baby carrier or not at this age range. If you must then make sure it is made for toddlers and accommodates baby older than 18 months.

Takeaway

Knowing when to stop using a baby carrier is equally important as knowing when to start it.

You don’t want to use a baby carrier that is too small to support your baby securely. Also, you definitely don’t want to carry a large toddler and experience everyday joint and muscle pain.

Select the right baby carrier for your baby and make sure to read the user’s manual that comes with it, so you know exactly what to choose.