To check the fit of any baby sling or carrier, from a ring sling or stretchy wrap to a buckled carrier, go through T.I.C.K.S., the UK Sling Consortium's checklist:
- Tight: the carrier hugs your baby close to you.
- In view at all times: you can see your baby's face by glancing down.
- Close enough to kiss: your baby's head is as close to your chin as is comfortable.
- Keep chin off the chest: there is at least a finger's width under your baby's chin.
- Supported back: your baby's back is in its natural position, tummy and chest against you.
If you wear Konny FLEX, follow Konny's fit steps further down. Konny FLEX, a slip-on carrier you pull on like a T-shirt, should be worn snug, not loose. Konny also gives two size checks, one before your baby goes in and one after.
Credit: T.I.C.K.S. is by the UK Sling Consortium (babyslingsafety.co.uk), for anyone "wearing a sling or carrier." Its T.I.C.K.S. PDF explains each letter. The US tips below come from the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) carrier safety tips and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) carrier tip card.
Still choosing a sling? Start with Best Baby Sling Carrier: How to Choose by Type.
Before you start
- Check the carrier itself. Look over the buckles, straps, rings and other hardware, and make sure no parts are broken (CPSC).
- Follow the instructions that came with your carrier, including its warnings and its age and weight recommendations (CPSC).
- Adjust it to fit you first. Get a comfortable, secure fit on yourself before your baby goes in (CPSC).
T is for Tight
Wear the sling or carrier tight enough to hug your baby close to you (UK Sling Consortium). Loose fabric lets your baby slump down, which "can hinder their breathing."
For FLEX, that means wearing it snug, not loose. The steps are under How to fit Konny FLEX below.
I is for In view at all times
You should always be able to see your baby's face just by glancing down (UK Sling Consortium).
In any carrier, check on your baby often. Their mouth and nose should not be blocked by fabric or your body, and air should flow freely (AAP).
Warning: "Infants born prematurely or with respiratory problems should not be placed in backpacks or other upright positioning devices, as the positioning in these devices may make it harder for them to breathe" (AAP).
C is for Close enough to kiss
Keep your baby's head as close to your chin as is comfortable (UK Sling Consortium).
K is for Keep chin off the chest
Keep at least a finger width of space under your baby's chin (UK Sling Consortium). In a sling, your baby's neck should be straight and their chin not pressed into their chest (AAP).
Warning: "The Consumer Product Safety Commission warns about the suffocation hazard to infants, particularly those younger than 4 months, carried in infant sling carriers" (AAP).
S is for Supported back
Hold your baby with their back supported in its natural position and their tummy and chest against you (UK Sling Consortium).
How to fit Konny FLEX
- Pick the size by your pre-pregnancy clothing size, not by your baby's age or weight. If your weight after giving birth is more than 22 pounds (10 kg) above your pre-pregnancy weight, choose a larger size. Dads can go by their usual T-shirt size. The Size Guide has the chart.
- Set the size adjuster. FLEX's size adjuster goes from 1 to 13. Set it before your baby goes in.
- Put FLEX on. Center the back panel on your back and pull it down as low as it goes. Spread the shoulder sashes wide over your shoulders, like a shawl.
- Check the size on the empty carrier. Stretch it out. Two to three fists should fit between your chest and the carrier.
- Tuck your baby in.
- Check the size again. Look down: you should be able to kiss the top of your baby's forehead easily. If you can't, adjust the size adjuster until you can.
- Check the shoulder sashes. They should reach all the way from your baby's thighs to the crook of the knee.
Then go back through T.I.C.K.S. with your baby in. The Size Guide shows each step.
Common mistakes
- Wearing the carrier loose.
- Skipping the size check on the empty carrier.
- Letting fabric cover your baby's face, mouth or nose.
- Bending at the waist to pick something up. Bend at the knees instead, or your baby may tip out of the carrier and you may hurt your back (AAP).
Ask Konny to check your fit
If you're still not sure, send Konny a photo of you wearing the carrier through live chat, and the team will check the fit. Find Your Carrier also helps you choose between Konny's carriers. To compare sling types first, see Konny's sling guide.
FAQ
What does T.I.C.K.S. stand for?
Tight, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss, Keep chin off the chest, and Supported back. It is a checklist from the UK Sling Consortium.
Is T.I.C.K.S. a US rule?
No, it comes from the UK. In the US, see the AAP's carrier safety tips and the CPSC's carrier tip card.
How snug should Konny FLEX be?
Snug, not loose, once your baby is in. Before that, check the size on the empty carrier: two to three fists should fit between your chest and the stretched carrier. The Size Guide has the details.
Can Konny check my fit?
Yes. Send Konny a photo of you wearing the carrier through live chat, and the team will check the fit.