How to use a structured carrier with a small baby

How do you modify a Hipababy full buckle to make it a better fit for a small baby?

With a custom made carrier you the option is available to add a built in cinching system and some in stock carriers will have this available too. If your carrier doesn't  have the built in adjustments you can modify your carrier by cinching the base with a ribbon and/or wearing the waist apron style.  Wearing the carrier with the carrier a little higher on your body than shown below will also shorten the body panel further.

​A baby size carrier (38cm x 38cm/ 15"x 15") is suitable from around 6 months or so but when cinched will work from around 6kg/00 clothes (or around 2-3 months).  Infant size (35.5cm x 37cm/14" x 14.5") works from around 4 months uncinched or from newborn (4kg cinched).  Don't use a larger sized soft structured carrier with a small baby as you will not have enough back support increasing the risk of slumping. 

​When using a full buckle with a baby under 4 months baby's back must be well supported and baby's chin must not fall onto their chest (which can obstruct breathing). Baby also must not be buried right down into the carrier.  Ideally you would want the top of the carrier (where the straps are attached) no higher than  earlobe level.   

Below are  some tips and tricks on how to use the built in adjustments, or if you have basic carrier without built in cinching some tips to help to get a better fit. 
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The carrier in these instructions is a baby sized carrier with adjustable base and sides.  The demo doll is wearing 00 clothes so is around the size  of a 3 month old.

How to modify with a ribbon

If you have a standard carrier with no built in adjustments you can use a ribbon or accessory strap to cinch the base of the carrier to a narrower setting.  It is easier to tie the ribbon on with the waistband already clipped around you as the waistband will lay flatter that way. Tying with a ribbon will also shorten your carrier a little.  If you need to shorten the height even further you can wear the waist apron style (more on that later). 

Waist worn non apron style cinched with a ribbon.

Waist worn apron style (for a shorter height)

Using a carrier with built in adjustments

If your carrier has built in adjustments cinch the carrier as shown in the photo below and then put your carrier on as normal. Pull the height adjustment ties to scrunch the fabric to the desired height and tie in a loose knot.  Fold the edges of the waist back on itself like an accordion.  This will keep the fabric from slipping back and will  cover the Velcro strip.  For an in between width, fold more loosely or just scrunch the waist instead.  Remember make sure your baby is close enough to kiss! This will ensure you can monitor baby's airway and the higher you wear the waistband the shorter the panel will be which also helps to get a good fit.

How to wear apron style

Wearing apron style will shorten your carrier even further.  You will need to remove the buckles and re-thread them the opposite way for this method so your buckles don't end up upside down.  Flip the waistband so the reverse side facing out and the panel is hanging down like an apron. You may also need a ribbon for this as the folds on the adjustable waist tend to spread a bit wider when worn apron style.  Put the panel on as you normally would. When you are finished you will not see the waistband under baby's bum as you would when wearing in the regular way.  If your carrier has a built in height adjustment you can cinch the panel before putting the carrier on and that will shorten the carrier the maximum amount.

Height of the panel uncinched.

Height of the panel cinched with the built in drawstring and headrest folded down.