Baby Carrier a No No?

Question

I’ve been using a baby carrier with my son since he was about a month old. I enjoy carrying him around and he enjoys taking a nap or two with mama. My son just turned 3 months old and my mom said that I shouldn’t be letting him nap in the carrier r because then he will get used to it and not want to nap on his own. He doesn’t want to nap on his own - that is true, but we are working on that separately along with him sleeping in his bassinet at night instead of in our bed. What do you think? Can carrying him in the carrier for a couple of hours a day cause harm? Is it preventing him from learning independent sleep habits?

Answer

This is a tough one. I feel like I inadvertently created sleep associations in the past few months that are currently biting me in the butt. My LO is five months old and won't sleep once set down until she is completely conked out. I feel like I created this problem by holding her while she slept all the time as a newborn. So... you likely are creating sleep associations. But I feel you because I understand how babies just want love and cuddles/comfort and it's hard not to give it to them!! I'm not sure what the right answer is for you on this one.

Answer

I say who cares lol seriously though... parenting is about survival first of all and second of all it is NORMAL for infants to need to sleep close to their parents... we as a society need to be okay with this. The real question here is are you happy with him napping in the carrier? If the answer is yes then that's all that matters.

Answer

My son is 8 months and i still wrap him to me all of the time. He loves us and sleeps in it, on his own, whenever/wherever. It's comforting and promotes bonding, and we've never had a problem with his sleeping :)

Answer

Honestly, my daughter who is now 8.5 months fell asleep when we were out and about in her carrier and still does sometimes. She was an awful sleeper but just within the last 2 weeks has started to put herself to sleep and sleeps great! I really didn't change anything and I think developmentally she hit the next leap and is just able to self soothe now as they say usually babies aren't able to until around 9 months. I would snuggle as much as you can, to a certain point, they are only little for so long.

Answer

I do the same, my baby doesn’t like being put down for naps either. There’s nothing wrong with that. Yes it’s probably not ideal or convenient for us to hold them all day & all night, but who ever said parenting was going to be convenient or easy. My take is love, hug, hold as much as needed, they’ll go down on their own when ready. My little guy created his own routine, I just follow his lead & it’s working wonderfully for us. I breastfeed on demand & carry him during all his naps, he sleeps on me at night from 9:30pm up until 7:30am most nights feeding about 3times which we both basically sleep through once I check he is latched. 
I’m a first time mom & what I realized is, don’t second guess your instinct & not all advice is worth holding onto if it doesn’t feel right to your individual baby needs. Hope this helps 💙

Answer

Hubby always carried baby in the carrier and baby zonked out every time but t never affected his sleeping habit, he would sleep every night in the bassinet or pack n play. He loves being baby roo and gets super excited if you ask him that

Answer

Sleep is important and sometimes that means you get him to sleep any way you can. However, I would try to get him used to sleeping independently for naps, just as you are for night sleep. Is he taking every nap in the carrier? If he is, then try getting him to sleep independently for 1 nap a day, then once he has that down, then try 2 naps a day, then 3, etc. Ease him into it. I saw someone else mentioned the drowsy but awake. That can take time, but it can work for some babies.

Answer

I was more proactive about not letting my oldest pick up any habits that would be difficult to break. No pacifier, had him in his crib in his own room since birth, etc. It totally worked for us. But I’m expecting our second and in my head I’m like.... ehhh, survival. This time around I plan on having the baby in a bassinet next to us, will be baby carrying a lot, and intend on using a pacifier this time around. It’s possible that yes, your baby may get attached and you may have a hard time breaking habits. But if you’re aware of that, do what you think is best for your situation. If that’s something you want to avoid, then sure, try finding a more independent sleep method. If you don’t plan on having another baby anytime soon, and you’re okay with your baby wanting you for sleep, then stick to it. It seemed like you guys were happy before someone said something. Do what’s best for you guys.

Answer

I used my carrier with my son until he was too big for it. We got him sleeping in his crib by three months and he still fell asleep in the carrier. I don’t think you are doing anything wrong. You know your baby.

Answer

if you’re talking about the car seat, you want to make sure that very young infants don’t sleep in the carrier for any amount of time outside of the car. it can cause a baby with no head control to asphyxiate due to an improper recline and head slump.
even after they have head control, it is not recommended, for the same reason, but if you do, don’t leave baby for more than an hour and definitely not unattended. also, be sure to leave their straps buckled and snug, to prevent baby from tangling in the straps.
if your referring to a wrap or sling carrier, i don’t see any problem with him falling asleep there. but i would encourage you to try and put him down for naps alone, occasionally. it will teach him to nap alone and will give you a break!

Baby Carrier a No No?

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