How long can I carry my child in a stretcher / sling?
It is possible to carry the child for several hours a day in a baby carrier or a sling. Carrying is not harmful for the baby if the correct posture is observed. However, you should also take care of your own body so that the person carrying the baby does not get back pain.
As a rule, it is not common for carrying a baby to cause back pain when the correct technique is used, as the muscles of the back are more likely to be strengthened by carrying. If back pain does occur, a baby carrier with a hip belt is helpful because the hip belt distributes the weight to the hips and does not put so much weight on the shoulders and spine. It can also be helpful to change position from time to time, so that the baby is carried on the hips.
In the long term, it is relatively open as to when the child can be carried in a stretcher or sling. In most cases, the child is no longer carried from the age of 3-4 years onwards, as it becomes more and more mobile and can walk better. However, it should be decided according to the child’s own feelings and the child’s liking, up to what age the child can be carried.
What do I do if it rains?
If it is raining and you still want to go outside with your baby, there are ways to protect your child from the rain. The possibilities are similar to protection from the cold. Here, for example, the carrying cover is used again.
This is pulled over the baby carrier or sling when it rains and thus surrounds the baby. There are covers which are water-repellent and can therefore be used as a rain jacket for the child. These rain covers usually also have hoods so that the child’s head is also protected.
Alternatively, you can also go out with a carrying jacket when it rains. This protects mainly against cold, but also against rain due to its water-repellent properties. Alternatively, of course, a very large rain jacket can be pulled over the carrying parent and child. If you do not have the above mentioned equipment at home, an umbrella from the surface should also be sufficient to protect the carrying parent and the child. Of course you have to take into account that afterwards only one hand is free and certain activities can only be carried out with restrictions.
Stretchers for hiking
If you want to take your child with you when you go hiking, you should make sure that the head and neck of young babies are sufficiently supported. Hiking in partly uneven terrain leads to strong movement. As newborn babies are not able to support their own head easily, it is important that the baby sits securely in the sling or that the baby carrier is equipped with an insert and head support.
Once the baby has good head control, a baby carrier designed for walking can also be used. These are also called “Kraxe”. The advantages are that the person carrying the baby sweats less because ventilation is more strongly ensured than with a sling. In addition, particularly good padding on the back and shoulders is a good prerequisite for long hikes. The “Kraxe” also often has pockets and additional storage space where provisions can be stowed away.
