Six Tips to Master Back Carry
If you are ready to wear a baby on your back in the TwinGo Carrier, here are six tips to help you gain the skills and confidence required for the Back Carry Position. We suggest you also read the following articles:
- What are the Safety Concerns of Babywearing?
- Is My Baby Ready for Back Carry in the TwinGo?
- Tandem Babywearing: Proper Positioning for Babies in the TwinGo
Tip #1: Review The Warnings And Instructions
Babywearing is a lifestyle choice. Although babywearing has been practiced for hundreds of years, the Consumer Product Safety Commission reports that user error is the number one concern of babywearing. Please read the Owner’s Manual carefully and watch the instructional videos before using your carrier.
Please also review this article: What Are The Safety Concerns Of Babywearing? so you know how to protect your child.
Tip #2: Start Practicing When Developmentally Appropriate
Begin practicing with one baby in the Front Carry Position. After you and your baby become familiar with your TwinGo and perfected the fit, you can start practicing Back Carry once it is developmentally appropriate. If the carrier is worn properly, a child may be safely carried on the back in a TwinGo if the child meets ALL THREE of the following criteria. Please note that ALL criteria must be met for readiness.
- Development—Baby must have strong and consistent head/neck control when awake and asleep.
- Size—Baby must be tall enough his head is outside the carrier and his legs must be long enough to comfortably straddle the panel with knees extending over the edge of the carrier.
- Age—Baby must be 4+ months corrected age in good health.
*If your babies have any medical conditions—including prematurity—you should seek one-on-one guidance from your child’s pediatrician.
Please also read Is My Baby Ready For Back Carry in the TwinGo?
Tip #3: Get A Spotter
Practice moving your baby to your back with another adult acting as a spotter for the baby. The spotter should be there to verbally guide you through the process and provide physical assistance in a way that promotes your learning. Once the baby is on your back, the spotter should be able to assess fit (i.e. verify baby’s back is fully supported, centered and well-seated in the carrier, his airway is opened, and head is free to move).
Please also read: Tandem Babywearing: Proper Positioning for Babies in the TwinGo
Tip #4: Practice Over A Soft Environment
While you are learning to move your baby to your back, you should practice over a soft surface. Standing next to a soft raised surface, like a couch, bed or pile of pillows, is strongly recommended. When removing your child from the carrier, new users may want to sit on the edge of the couch and allow the back of the couch to support the child while you remove the shoulder straps and waistband.
Tip #5: Check As You Go
Ideally you should practice in front of a mirror or other reflective surface so you can see what you are doing and where the baby is in relationship to the parts of the carrier. After the baby is in the carrier, you should be able to verify that your baby is properly positioned: his back fully supported in an upright position, his airway opened, and head free to move. Don't forget that your cell phone can aid you in assessing your baby no matter where you are!
Please also read: Tandem Babywearing: Proper Positioning for Babies in the TwinGo
Tip #6: Assess Your Confidence
You should practice with a partner until you are fully confident that you can safely position a baby on your back by yourself. If you do not feel confident, you are not ready for unassisted Back Carry.
