Not all baby carriers are hip-friendly—what should parents know about babywearing?
Not all baby carriers are hip-friendly—what should parents know about babywearing?
Author: Dr. Ákos Morvai | February 13, 2026
Carrying a baby is a natural part of daily life for many families. It’s comfortable, practical, and most parents feel that this closeness is good for the baby. However, when the term “hip-friendly carrier” is mentioned, few people know exactly what it means from a medical standpoint.
Studies in recent years have analyzed in detail how babywearing affects an infant’s hip development, muscle function, and nervous system, as well as how it impacts the parent’s physical and mental well-being. The summary below, based on these findings, helps provide clarity on the topic.
What does “hip-friendly carrying” actually mean?
Infants’ hip joints are still immature at birth. The connection between the femoral head and the hip socket becomes more stable during the first few months, so the position in which the baby spends extended periods of time is crucial.
Tight swaddling, in which the baby’s legs are stretched out and held together, has been shown to increase the risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH). In contrast, the so-called “M-position”—in which the thighs are raised and spread apart—supports the natural development of the hips. This is the basis for what the literature refers to as a “hip-friendly” position.
Dr. Ákos Morvai
Chief Pediatric and Neuro-Orthopedic Physician
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A wide- or narrow-based carrier? There really is a difference
Studies have shown that not all baby carriers provide the same hip position. Wide-based carriers allow for a posture that is beneficial for the hips and similar to the position provided by devices used to treat hip development abnormalities.
In contrast, narrow-based carriers can result in a measurably less favorable hip position, which does not optimally support the joint’s development in the long term.
That is why, from a pediatric orthopedics perspective, the design of the carrier really does matter.
How does babywearing affect a baby’s spine and muscles?
Muscle development in infants is closely related to the body positions in which they spend their time. According to measurements, lying on the stomach activates the back muscles the most, while carrying a baby in a carrier or holding it in one’s arms also triggers significant neck muscle activity.
In contrast, spending long periods of time in a car seat or other passive device reduces muscle function. Carrying a baby in the proper position therefore provides more active muscle engagement for the baby than a prolonged, immobile position.
The Effects of Proximity on the Nervous System
The closeness between a baby and a parent has not only an emotional impact but also a physiological one. Studies show that while being carried, the physiological functions of the baby and the parent—such as heart rate—become more synchronized.
This co-regulation helps calm the baby’s nervous system, reduces the stress response, and supports the development of a sense of security.
What does pregnancy mean for a mother’s mental state?
Research has also shown that carrying a baby can help reduce mothers’ negative thought spirals and improve their sense of mental well-being. It was not the frequency of carrying the baby, but the experience itself that had a positive effect.
Carrying a baby can thus be a simple, natural way to reduce parental stress.
How does carrying a child affect a parent’s body?
According to biomechanical studies, using a baby carrier puts less strain on a parent’s joints than carrying a baby in one’s arms for extended periods. Carrying a baby in one’s arms significantly increases the strain on the knee and hip joints, especially over time.
No significant difference was found between wraps and buckled carriers in terms of the physical strain on the parent, provided that the carrier is adjusted ergonomically and the weight is distributed properly.
What should parents keep in mind regarding this?
- “Hip-friendly carrying” is a concept with genuine significance in the field of orthopedics, and the design of the carrier is important for the baby’s hip development.
- Carrying a baby in a carrier supports the baby’s muscle development, helps calm the nervous system, has a positive effect on the parent’s mental state, and is gentler on the parent’s body than carrying the baby in one’s arms.
- It is important to note, however, that being carried is not a substitute for lying on one’s stomach and free movement, but rather a valuable complement to them.
Carrying a baby is therefore more than just a matter of convenience. The correct body position and the design of the carrier are important from both a physiological and an orthopedics standpoint.
By making an informed choice, parents not only ensure their own comfort but also actively support their child’s healthy development. For infant hip screenings or annual pediatric orthopedics exams, please consult the specialists at BMM!
References:
- Siddicky S, Eckels J, Rabenhorst B, Mannen E. Ultrasonographic evaluation of infant hips in the Pavlik harness compared to body-worn commercial baby carriers. J Orthop Res. Nov 2023;41(11):2495-2500. doi: 10.1002/jor.25571. Epub May 3, 2023. PMID: 37080928; PMCID: PMC11060426.
- Taboada-Iglesias Y, Domínguez-Estévez A, Rodríguez-Gude C, Gutiérrez-Sánchez Á. Physical and Physiological Consequences of Babywearing on the Babywearer: A Systematic Review. Healthcare (Basel). September 2, 2025;13(17):2193. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13172193. PMID: 40941545; PMCID: PMC12428022.
- Vaidya S, Aroojis A, Mehta R. Developmental Dysplasia of the Hip and Postnatal Positioning: The Role of Swaddling and Baby-Wearing. Indian J Orthop. September 25, 2021;55(6):1410-1416. doi: 10.1007/s43465-021-00513-3. PMID: 35003533; PMCID: PMC8688658.
- Williams L, Standifird T, Madsen M. Effects of infant transportation on lower extremity joint moments: Baby carrier versus carrying in-arms. Gait Posture. May 2019;70:168-174. doi: 10.1016/j.gaitpost.2019.02.004. Published online March 8, 2019. PMID: 30877855.
- Wu CY, Huang HR, Wang MJ. Baby carriers: a comparison of traditional slings and front-worn, rear-facing harness carriers. Ergonomics. Jan 2017;60(1):111-117. doi: 10.1080/00140139.2016.1168871. Epub 2016 Apr 7. PMID: 27054475.
- Siddicky SF, Bumpass DB, Krishnan A, Tackett SA, McCarthy RE, Mannen EM. Positioning and baby devices impact infant spinal muscle activity. J Biomech. May 7, 2020;104:109741. doi: 10.1016/j.jbiomech.2020.109741. Epub March 9, 2020. PMID: 32178849; PMCID: PMC7188598.
- Schoppmann J, Teismann T, Holleck-Weithmann VA, Hundertmark E, Jandewerth K, Obereiner P, Rudolph D, Seehagen S. Infant carrying is associated with reduced maternal repetitive negative thinking and improved maternal mental health. J Reprod Infant Psychol. September 2023;41(4):456-469. doi: 10.1080/02646838.2021.2012647. Epub 2021 Dec 9. PMID: 34882494.
- Han JH, Rankin L, Lee H, Feng D, Grisham LM, Benfield R. Infant and parent heart rates during a babywearing procedure: Evidence for autonomic coregulation. Infant Behav Dev. Dec 2024;77:101996. doi: 10.1016/j.infbeh.2024.101996. Epub Oct 5, 2024. PMID: 39369660.