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When I was pregnant, babywearing with a newborn seemed like one of those things every mom just did.
I pictured myself wearing my newborn while making coffee, folding laundry, going for walks, and getting things done around the house.
And sometimes that’s exactly what happened.
Other times?
Not so much.
What I learned very quickly is that babywearing isn’t something every baby automatically loves. It isn’t always intuitive for moms either.
Some days my son would fall asleep instantly and stay content for an hour.
Other days he wanted absolutely nothing to do with being in a carrier.
If you’re planning to try babywearing with your newborn, here are the things I wish someone had told me before I started.
I Thought My Baby Would Love It Immediately
My experience with babywearing with a newborn ended up being very different from what I expected.
One thing I wasn’t prepared for was that babies have opinions.
Even newborns.
I assumed being held close would automatically feel comforting to every baby.
Sometimes it did.
Sometimes my son would settle right down, relax completely, and fall asleep.
Other times he would fuss within minutes.
One thing I learned about babywearing with a newborn is that every baby has preferences.
I spent a lot of time wondering if I was doing something wrong.
The truth is that every baby is different.
Some babies love being worn.
Some tolerate it.
Some need time to get used to it.
And some have very specific opinions about how they want to be held.
If your baby doesn’t instantly love babywearing, it doesn’t mean you’re failing.
It might just take some trial and error.
Babywearing Takes Practice
I expected the baby to need time to adjust.
I didn’t expect that I would too.
The first few times I used a carrier, I was constantly checking straps, adjusting positions, and second-guessing myself.
Was he sitting correctly?
Were the straps too tight?
Too loose?
Was he comfortable?
Was I comfortable?
Eventually it became much easier.
But there was definitely a learning curve.
Especially with wraps.
The more often I practiced, the more confident I became.
Looking back, I’m glad I gave myself time to figure it out instead of expecting perfection on day one.
Not All Baby Carriers Feel the Same
Before having a baby, I honestly thought most carriers were pretty similar.
After trying several different styles, I realized that wasn’t true at all.
Some felt soft and cozy.
Some felt more structured.
Some were easier to put on.
Some felt more secure.
And some simply worked better for my baby than others.
My favorite ended up being the Ergobaby Embrace Newborn Carrier.
It felt like a nice balance between a soft wrap and a structured carrier, and it was the one I reached for most often during the newborn stage.
I also really wanted to love the Moby Wrap.
I loved the idea of it.
But honestly, I struggled with the learning curve and never used it as much as I expected to.
Once I got it on correctly it felt cozy and secure, but it definitely took more practice than the other carriers.
The biggest thing I learned was that baby carriers are surprisingly personal.
What feels comfortable to one mom—or one baby—might not work for another.
If you’re considering babywearing with a newborn, give yourself time to learn what works for you and your baby.
👉 If you’re trying to decide between different options, check out my full guide: Best Baby Carriers for Newborns (What I Tried & What Actually Worked)
I Didn’t Realize How Warm We Would Get
This is something I rarely saw people talk about.
Babywearing can get hot.
Fast.
Especially if you’re carrying a newborn against your chest, wearing multiple layers, or spending time outside.
There were definitely days when my son and I both seemed much happier once we cooled off.
I found myself paying much more attention to clothing choices, fabric types, and temperature than I expected.
Breathable materials made a huge difference.
The Best Part Wasn’t What I Expected
Before becoming a mom, I thought the biggest benefit of babywearing with a newborn would be productivity.
And yes, having both hands free was amazing.
Being able to grab a snack, tidy up a little, or move around while my son napped was incredibly helpful.
Especially during those early postpartum weeks when I was still recovering, having a way to keep my baby close while moving around the house felt incredibly helpful.
I share more of the things that made recovery easier in my guide to Postpartum Essentials for New Moms (What Actually Helps Recovery).
But that wasn’t actually my favorite part.
My favorite part was the closeness.
It gave me a way to soak up those newborn snuggles while still moving through everyday life.
Those sleepy newborn snuggles.
The little contact naps.
Looking down and seeing him peacefully sleeping against my chest.
Those moments felt incredibly special.
Now that he’s older, they’re some of my favorite memories from those early weeks.
Some Days I Used It Constantly. Other Days Not At All.
This is probably the thing I wish someone had told me most.
Babywearing doesn’t have to be all or nothing.
There were days when I used a baby carrier multiple times.
There were other days when I didn’t use one at all.
And that’s okay.
Sometimes my son was in the mood for it.
Sometimes he wasn’t.
Sometimes I wanted the extra closeness.
Sometimes I just wanted to put him in the stroller and go for a walk.
I stopped trying to force it and started using it as a tool instead.
When it helped, I used it.
When it didn’t, I moved on.
That mindset made motherhood feel a lot easier.
What I’d Tell a New Mom About Babywearing
If you’re thinking about babywearing with your newborn, here’s what I’d tell you:
- Give yourself time to learn.
- Don’t assume your baby will love every carrier.
- Try different styles if possible.
- Pay attention to comfort for both you and your baby.
- Don’t stress if it doesn’t work every single time.
- Use it when it helps and skip it when it doesn’t.
Most importantly, remember that babywearing is just one tool.
A helpful one.
A cozy one.
But not something you have to do perfectly.
Final Thoughts on Babywearing With a Newborn
Looking back, I’m glad I tried babywearing with a newborn, even though it wasn’t always as easy as I expected.
There were definitely moments when it made those early newborn weeks much easier.
But what I wish I’d known beforehand is that it doesn’t have to look like it does on Instagram.
Some days it works beautifully.
Some days it doesn’t.
And both experiences are completely normal.
The goal isn’t to become a perfect babywearing mom.
The goal is simply to find what works for you and your baby.
And when it does work?
Those sleepy newborn snuggles are pretty hard to beat.
Related Articles for New Moms
- Newborn Survival Guide for First-Time Moms (What Actually Helps in the First Few Weeks)
- Newborn Essentials for the First 3 Months (A Minimalist Mom List)
- Best Baby Carriers for Newborns (What I Tried & What Actually Worked)
- Newborn Routine Ideas for the First 3 Months (What Our Days Actually Looked Like)
- Simple Newborn Activities for Wake Windows (What We Actually Did)
- How to Set Up a Newborn Diapering Station That Actually Works