“Monitoring” is a Baby thing, not just a Babywearing thing.

It's common to tell our clients to “monitor” their baby while using a carrier. But what does that actually mean - in practice?

For many caregivers, “monitoring” might feel vague—or worse, intimidating.

The word can unintentionally evoke ideas of strict vigilance or overly complicated processes. But here’s the truth:

Monitoring baby is something caregivers are already doing -  maybe without even realizing it.

In this post, we’ll break down what “monitoring” means, why it’s important, and how you can empower the caregivers you serve to feel confident in their ability to check on their baby—without fear or overwhelm.

How about a quick definition?

• monitor | ˈmänədər |
  verb [with object]
  observe and check the progress or quality of (something) over a period of time; keep under systematic review.

That sounds doable.

To Monitor is to See, Observe, and Notice.

You already teach your clients to monitor their baby (and themselves) in your instruction. So you simply need to build on that, as we cover in the Foundations in Babywearing Education and Consultation course.

Let’s explore how you might answer an explicit question such as:

“What do you mean by ‘monitor’?”

- which you will definitely get asked at some point. Before you start to reply, why not stop and ask them:

"What comes to your mind when you think about monitoring?"

This information will provide you with more details about their thinking and concerns so that you may be more specific in your reply and support of their learning.

 "Monitoring Is Simple and Manageable - You Already Do It."

I might frame the discussion with my client as such.

"Monitoring is about checking in with your baby throughout the day—not in a way that disrupts your life, but as an easy habit that blends into your existing caregiving practices.

This is something you already do - all day - while caring for your baby, so it’s easy to continue doing it when using your baby carrier.

We naturally keep an eye on our little ones—listening for a cry, glancing at their face when they make a sound, or noticing their warmth when we hold them close. Monitoring while babywearing builds on these instincts and is the addition of a few intentional moments of attention to ensure baby is safe, comfortable, and well-positioned."

You might be asked,

"When should I Check In?"

An easy way to help your clients feel confident with monitoring is by providing simple guidelines for when and how often to check in with their baby.

Here are some essential moments to recommend:

• When transitioning between activities or locations:
  • Going indoors-to-outdoors or moving from seated-to-standing and vice versa are natural moments to pause and check-in.
• During periods of increased distraction:
  • If the caregiver is busy, like shopping, walking in a crowd, or attending an event, setting a reminder for regular check-ins might be a helpful reminder.
• When there's a significant change in sensory stimulation:
  • When there’s a sudden or growing amount of external sensory stimulation, it’s common for a baby to react and, depending on their development, may need assistance in adjusting, and sometimes the carrier may need to be adjusted as well.
• When the baby is sleeping or bundled up:
  • A quick check of baby’s positioning and breathing is especially important when they’re snoozing or dressed for the cold, as bulky layers or deep sleep can affect their positioning and temperature.
• During feeding:
  • Emphasize the importance of readjustment and retightening after active feeding is done.

A natural follow-up question would be:

"What am I checking FOR?"

You can help ease your client's minds by breaking down what monitoring looks like in real-life circumstances:

Encourage caregivers to pause, turn their attention to the baby, and quickly note the ABCs of babywearing. 

Frame their check-in with some of these tips:

• Breathe and Heartbeat:
  • Feel the baby’s chest or back, and notice their heartbeat and breathe. This small moment of connection can reassure that everything is as it should be.
• Position:
  • Reposition and Retighten: Check whether the carrier has loosened, especially if the baby has fallen asleep. 
  • Has the baby shifted or changed position from the last time they checked? Has the baby settled lower on the caregiver’s body? Have they slid to the side? What, if anything, is different from before?
  • Is the baby’s head aligned with their shoulders, chin off their chest - not dropping back, forwards sideways exaggeratedly?
• Temperature:
  • Feel the baby’s skin to ensure they’re not too hot or cold, especially if bundled up or in a new environment.

Empower Your Clients to Build a Check-In Practice

The key to encouraging effective monitoring is to make it feel manageable and natural for caregivers. 

You can:

• Use Positive, Non-Scary Language:
  • Avoid terms that might feel overwhelming, like “safety checks.” Instead, focus on words like “connection,” “awareness,” and “check-in.” This helps caregivers approach monitoring as a loving and intuitive part of their babywearing experience.
• Normalize Monitoring:
  • Refer to the spectrum of baby care they do and how baby monitoring is something they are always doing, and when wearing, this simply continues.
• Educate on the baby carrier's functional role:
  • Be mindful about how you promote babywearing and the role of a baby carrier. At all times, the caregiver is the one responsible for the carrying and caring of the baby. 
  • Ensure your instruction is consistent and you build this awareness into your work with clients.
• Educate on the true purpose of a ‘sleeping hood’ if their carrier has one.
  • And provide guidance on ensuring continued, intentional attention to baby's wellbeing and positioning when using the hood.
• Highlight Sensory Cues:
  • Help clients tune into sensory signals, like the feeling of the baby’s breath, warmth, or the sound of their contented cooing. They’re likely already noticing these cues, and we can affirm their ability to use them effectively.
• Encourage Habit Building:
  • Suggest simple practices, like pairing check-ins with natural pauses in their day (e.g., every time they move from sitting to standing or move to a new location or room). If needed, a timer can help them establish the habit initially.
• Provide a Handout: A clear, concise handout summarizing when and how to check in can be an invaluable resource for caregivers to refer back to after your consultation. Don’t worry, we’ve made one for you already!
  
  

  Click here to download a parent handout on monitoring while babywearing!

Why Monitoring Matters

Your clients monitor their babies 24/7 already, so doing so while babywearing is no different. A baby carrier is not a babysitter, of course, and your support and education will help increase their comfort and confidence in using their baby carriers.

With simple, manageable tools and affirming language, you can empower caregivers to feel confident in their ability to monitor while babywearing. Monitoring doesn’t have to feel like an added burden—it’s about checking on the baby while deepening the caregiver’s connection to their little one. 

By framing monitoring as an intuitive practice they’re already equipped to do, we help caregivers see babywearing not just as a tool for convenience but as an opportunity to foster closeness and connection. 

🍼 What Does It Mean to Monitor Baby?

Help your clients feel confident and informed about babywearing! This handout provides practical tips to ensure safety, comfort, and connection while monitoring their baby during wear.