For the Long Haul: Why Babywearing Doesn’t End with Infancy

A myth I believed when I first started wearing my nanny kids was that babywearing is a tool for the newborn stage—for naps, soothing, and getting things done with a baby on board. Once they started walking, it felt like we were supposed to pack up the carrier and move on.

That's not the case, and I’m so happy I was wrong about that.

Babywearing isn’t only about mobility. It’s about connection, co-regulation, and flexibility in a world that doesn’t always move at toddler pace. And honestly… it's just as useful (if not more so) after those first steps.

A Real-Life Reminder: Toddlers Still Love Being Worn

My partner and I took our niece and nephew to a small ice age museum north of Vegas. It’s connected to a dig site that’s a 2.5-mile hike over gravel paths, which are not stroller-friendly nor walkable doable for most littles.

The museum itself was fun, but tiny and without visiting the dig site, the long drive wouldn’t have felt worth it. So, we packed up and loaded the carriers. I wore the two-year-old in my meh dai, and my partner wore the four-year-old in a soft structured carrier. He had never worn a baby or toddler before this, so after some practice and guidance, he found that this style of carrier felt best for both of them.

I figured the kids would want to go back and forth between walking and being carried like they often do at home, only staying put once they got tired toward the end. But to my surprise, they asked to be worn almost the entire hike. The best part: there were no complaints!

We played I Spy, told jokes, and pointed out unique spots in the landscape all the way to the dig. They loved it! We stopped at the site for snacks and some exploring, but pretty quickly, they were asking to be carried again. My niece even pretended to fall asleep (complete with fake snores) so she wouldn’t have to get out of the carrier again. After a quick picnic lunch and a half-hour drive home, both kids took the best naps they had all week. All in all, it was a great day.

Without babywearing, that activity either wouldn’t have happened or it definitely wouldn’t have been fun. Instead, it became a favorite memory, a reminder that toddlers still love closeness, and that babywearing still plays a big role in family adventures.

That day wasn’t a turning point but a confirmation of what I already knew: babywearing isn’t about the walk, the trail, or the activity at all. It’s about support, both emotional and physical, for the child and the caregiver.

As toddlers grow more independent, their needs don’t shrink they shift. Yes, they’re on the move but they still need connection, reassurance, and a place to reset when everything feels like too much.

Here’s how babywearing continues to meet those needs and why I continue to recommend it.

The Practical Magic of Toddler Wearing

Everyday Ease: How Toddler Wearing Simplifies Life

Let’s start with the obvious: toddlers get tired, strollers don’t fit everywhere, and we don’t have enough arms to hold our toddler, manage groceries, and carry the rest of our stuff or other children all at once.

Wearing your toddler makes everyday logistics easier. From airports and big events to grocery stores and neighborhood walks. A carrier can help you navigate crowded spaces, small places, or moments when your toddler just refuses to walk another step.

Even at home, babywearing still has benefits. I’ve worn toddlers on sick days, overtired days, and during those long afternoons when everything feels impossible.

Short Trips, Big Feelings

Some outings are too long for holding them in your arms but too short for strollers. You know the ones: running into a store quickly, walking from the car to the park, or going somewhere without any good place for your kiddo to be. Even settling big feelings or calming down before naptime can be a big reason to grab a carrier.

In those moments, a carrier isn’t about long-term carrying. It’s about easing transitions, offering comfort, and getting things done with less stress.

Wearing for Co-Regulation, Not Just Carrying

There’s something powerful about being close to your toddler when things feel hard: for them and you.

I’ve used toddler wearing during:

• Meltdowns or transitions between activities

• Overstimulated moments when they need to “check-in” emotionally

• Times when my own nervous system felt fried and we both needed to slow down

• When the safest place for them was attached to me

  
  

That closeness helps calm their body and mine. It doesn’t fix everything, but it creates space for connection when words just aren’t enough.

It’s a Relationship, Not Just a Method

When people ask, “Isn’t babywearing just for little babies?” I gently say, “Nope. If they're still wanting to be picked up or held and you can comfortably do it, keep wearing them. We all want to feel close, supported, and connected.”

The truth is, that toddlerhood is a chaotic mix of big feelings, growing independence, and often sudden clinginess. Babywearing helps create a soft landing during those swings.

It’s not about “carrying them like a baby.” It’s about meeting them where they are.

But What About the Weight?

Yes, toddlers are heavier. But carriers made for toddlers (like meh dais, woven wraps, or toddler-sized buckle carriers) distribute weight well when adjusted properly.

If you’ve been wearing for a while, you’ve likely built up your strength for it.

If you’re new to toddler wearing or your body feels sore, here are some tips:

• Use a carrier with good support, such as wide shoulder straps and a firm waistband or a woven wrap that can be tightened to your specific body

• Try back or hip carrying

• Pay attention to your posture: stand tall and engage your core

• Wear for shorter bursts instead of long stretches

• Adjust and reposition as needed

• Reach out to a local babywearing educator

  
  

With the right fit, many caregivers are surprised by how comfortable toddler wearing can be even with a 30+ pound kiddo.

The Joyful Stuff: Wearing for Fun, Not Just Function

It’s not all logistics and meltdowns. Some of my favorite memories have come from babywearing toddlers during the happiest moments. We’ve danced around the kitchen. Walked through farmer's markets. Explored new neighborhoods. Shared whispered stories and told jokes.

It adds a little calm to the everyday. More often than not, toddlers want to be worn because they get to stay close while still experiencing the world. Babywearing doesn’t have to be reserved for outings or hard days. Some of the most meaningful moments come when you wear your toddler during the most routine parts of your day.

It’s not about finding extra time for connection. It’s about building connections into the time you already have.

Let’s Wrap It Up: It’s Not Just a Phase

Babywearing doesn't need to be a phase or a fallback. It’s a continuation of closeness and bonding—a way to keep moving through life side by side, even when life is busy, messy, or unpredictable.

If you’re wondering whether it’s “too late” to start babywearing, whether your toddler is “too big” or “too independent,” I promise you, it’s likely not. It’s just the next stage of a relationship that grows right alongside them.

You don’t need to wear them all day. You just need to know that, when it matters, you can.

And that’s what makes all the difference.

If you're curious about deepening your understanding of babywearing or want to learn more about proper fit and safety, I highly recommend checking out the Center for Babywearing Studies. Their evidence-based approach and thorough training helped shape the way I support families today.