Babywearing
Carrying safely
Everything that matters about safe babywearing in one place. The T.I.C.K.S. rule, a clear airway, sleeping in a sling or carrier, overheating, falls and checking your sling or carrier.
3 min read
Babywearing in summer
In summer, two bodies snuggled together turn into a small oven. You can still carry in the heat, just for shorter spells, in the shade and with frequent checks.
The sun
The NHS recommends keeping babies under six months out of direct sunlight, and older babies in the shade as much as possible too, especially between 11am and 3pm. Sunscreen is not recommended for babies under six months; from six months, use at least factor 30 with both UVA and UVB protection.1 When babywearing, this means:
- go out in the morning and late afternoon, and look for shade around midday,
- give your baby a light hat with a peak or brim that doesn’t cover the face,
- cover the legs and arms that stick out of the carrier with light fabric, not cream (under six months),
- an umbrella or parasol over you helps more than any screen in front of your baby’s face.
Overheating
Check your baby on the tummy, back or the back of the neck, not on the hands and feet.2 A sweaty neck, a red face and listlessness are a signal to stop in the shade, take your baby out of the carrier and cool them down. If your baby is listless, refuses to drink or their condition worries you, call your paediatrician or 155.
Sweat builds up between you and your baby. What helps:
- thin clothing, or just a bodysuit, on your baby,
- a thin cotton or linen layer on you,
- shorter stretches of carrying, and breaks.
Drinks
The Lullaby Trust says that fully breastfed babies do not need extra water before they start solid foods.2 In hot weather, though, they may want to feed more often. Offer the breast or, if your baby has formula, follow your paediatrician’s advice.
A sling or carrier for summer
| Material | In summer |
|---|---|
| a thin woven wrap of cotton or linen | one layer of fabric over the baby, breathes well |
| a ring sling in a thin fabric | one layer, quick to put on |
| a carrier with a mesh panel | better airflow |
| a thick stretchy wrap | more layers over the baby, can be warm |
Whatever the material, T.I.C.K.S. and a clear face apply.3 Never put a muslin or a wrap over your baby’s face “against the sun”: it restricts airflow and you cannot see them.
When it is better not to carry
In the worst of the heat, when you are feeling it yourself, shade, a pram in the shade or staying at home is better. Babywearing is not an obligation.
Where this comes from
The numbers in the text refer to these sources. The links go to the publishers’ own pages; we simply cite them.
- NHS (United Kingdom):Keeping your baby safe in the sunBabies under 6 months out of direct sunlight; sunscreen is not recommended for them.
- The Lullaby Trust:Temperature (factsheet)Check temperature on the tummy, back or back of the neck; fully breastfed babies do not need extra water.
- UK Sling Consortium (via babyslingsafety.co.uk):The T.I.C.K.S. Rule for Safe Babywearing
We last checked these sources on 13 October 2026.
Further along the path
Baby
Dressing your baby for the temperature
How to dress your baby at home, outdoors and for sleep. Checking temperature on the chest and back of the neck, layers instead of thick items, a hat outdoors but not indoors, and the sun under 6 months.
2 min read
Babywearing
Babywearing in winter
How to carry your baby in winter without overheating or getting cold. Layers, a babywearing coat or insert, hats and feet, checking temperature, and a clear face.
2 min read