Has my Carrier Been Outgrown?

You can't necessarily go by what is on the box to tell if your baby carrier has been outgrown. Some manufacturers go by the average height and weight for a child, but most children aren't in the 50th percentile for everything. Some manufacturers stretch the truth about the usability of their carriers. So, I am going to tell you how you will know if your carrier has been outgrown.


Your soft structured carriers and Asian baby carriers have been outgrown if:

• Baby no longer has knee to knee coverage. It's OK to stretch this one, but if you have two inches between baby's knee and the carrier, than it has definitely been outgrown
• The back of the carrier doesn't come up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is important because babies are top heavy. A baby can lean back and fall out of a carrier that doesn't support their upper back.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate. Most SSCs and ABCs are outgrown by height well before weight.

Your frame backpack has been outgrown if:

• The back of the carrier doesn't come up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is important because babies are top heavy. A baby can lean back and fall out of a carrier that doesn't support their upper back.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate.

Your sling has been outgrown if:

• It becomes uncomfortable to wear. Even though the fabric might support a baby to 40lb, doesn't mean your one shoulder can handle the strain.
• The fabric doesn't go from baby's belly button, under bum, up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is the width of the fabric. It should support baby from belly button in front, under and up to baby's arm pits.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate.

Your stretchy wrap has been outgrown if:

• Baby's bottom sags past your belly button when you carry them. Depending how good you are at tightening, this is usually around 15lb. Way before the stated weight limit.
• The fabric doesn't go from baby's belly button, under bum, up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is the width of the fabric. It should support baby from belly button in front, under and up to baby's arm pits.
• Baby has passed the weight limit for the carrier. Weight limits are calculated by how much the fabric can tolerate.

Your woven wrap has been outgrown if:

• The fabric doesn't go from baby's belly button, under bum, up to at least baby's shoulder blades. This is the width of the fabric. It should support baby from belly button in front, under and up to baby's arm pits.
• It becomes uncomfortable to wear. Woven wraps may be strong enough to tow a car, but some weaves and fabrics are not supportive enough for a toddler. You may just need to change the carry you are doing.

It is important to note that here I talk about outgrowing a carrier in size. A carrier that has been worn out is different, and should not be used, even if baby still fits in it.