If your once-snuggly baby is suddenly arching their back, pushing off your chest, or doing full-body starfish moves the moment the carrier appears… you’re not alone.

This is very common - and it’s nearly always just a phase.

What’s going on?

Between 8 and 18 months, babies are often learning big new skills:

• Crawling

• Pulling up

• Cruising furniture

• Taking those wobbly first steps
  
  

Their whole body is saying:
“MUST. PRACTISE. MOVING.”

So when you go to put them in the carrier, your baby isn’t rejecting you - they’re just really busy exploring their new superpower.

A simple tip that makes a big difference

Before you put your baby in the carrier, make sure they’ve had:

• A chance to wriggle

• Some crawling time

• Some cruising/standing/rolling time
  
  

Basically: let them use their body first.
Their carrier behaviour will change instantly when they’ve got that energy out.

The order of operations (this is the secret!)

Put your own shoes on first.
Then put your baby in the carrier.
Then head straight outside.

Fresh air + change of scene = magic.

Inside, everything is a distraction.
Outside, carrying makes sense again.

The good news

Once your little one is confidently walking, carrying usually becomes enjoyable again - for them and for you.

Because those adorable legs?
They get tired very quickly.

Suddenly you’ll hear:

“Up?”
“Carry?”
Hands lifted, expectantly.
Just like old times.

And your carrier becomes useful all over again:

• For school runs

• For nursery pick-ups

• For parks, beaches, woods, zoos

• For anywhere that’s close enough to walk… until it isn’t

If you’re worried it’s a fitting issue

Let us take a look - we offer free fit checks via WhatsApp.

Sometimes a tiny tweak:

• Higher on your body

• Softer shoulder fit

• Or switching to a back carry
  
  

…can make everything feel calmer again.

And if your child still wants to walk everywhere?
That’s ok too.
Carrying is something we move in and out of as they grow.

Final thought

If your older baby or toddler isn’t keen on the carrier right now, it’s usually just about timing and development. Give them some space to move, try heading straight outside once they’re in, and remember - phases pass quickly at this age.

And when they’re walking more, you’ll probably find the carrier becomes useful again - especially when those little legs get tired.

Carry when it works. Pause when it doesn’t.
You’re doing just fine. 💛