Hey everyone,
I'm a new mom and I have been carrying my baby in a newborn carry since the day she was born. She's almost 5 months old now and I'm starting to feel like it might be time to transition her into a different carry. I want to make sure I'm doing this safely and effectively.
I've been doing some research on different options for carrying older babies and toddlers, but I'm wondering if there are any best practices I should be aware of when making this transition. Are there certain carriers or positions that are better suited for older babies? How do I know if my baby is ready to make this transition?
Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there,
I'm a mom of two and have been babywearing for over three years now. In my experience, the best way to transition a baby from a newborn carry to an older baby or toddler carry is to start slowly and gradually move to more supportive carriers or wraps.
At around five months, you can start using a soft-structured carrier (SSC) or woven wrap that offers more support for your growing baby's weight. It's important to ensure that your baby maintains a "M" shape position while being carried, with their knees above their hips, and their back straight. A carrier with a waist belt and padded shoulder straps is ideal.
If you're using a woven wrap, you can start by tying in a front carry position, and gradually move to the back carry position as your baby gains more head and neck control. Make sure to practice the new position at home first before heading out.
Also, follow your baby's cues - if they seem uncomfortable or fussy in a new position or carrier, try transitioning more slowly or adjust the carrier to find a more comfortable fit.
Hope this helps!