Our Stage 1 & Stage 2 carriers have not been designed to be used in an outward facing position for the following reasons:

Tripping hazard – if you trip while wearing your baby in an outward facing position, their arms, legs and face would hit the ground first. When wearing your baby in an inward facing position, it is more likely that you will be able to use your hands to stop any part of your baby’s body from hitting the ground. This is because of the position of their limbs in relation to your body.

Breathing safety – when your baby is facing away from you, it is a lot more tricky to constantly monitor their breathing. If your baby were to fall asleep in this position, there is a great risk that their chin could fall to their chest, which can cause asphyxiation in young babies as it blocks their airways. With an inward facing position, your babies head would rest on your chest, avoiding the dropping of the chin.

Ergonomics for the wearer – your centre of gravity is totally different when you wear your baby facing outwards as opposed to facing inwards. This places a lot more pressure on your lower back and shoulders to make up for the extra gravitational force, meaning that you will feel the weight a lot sooner.

Ergonomics for your baby – the first year of life and the movement experiences you provide your baby are key to proper spinal development. All babies are born with their spine in a convex curve in the shape of the letter C. When you place your baby in an outward facing baby carrier, this natural C curve is forced into a reverse C shape, which is why you will always notice that when purchasing outward facing carriers, they will always recommend to not carry your baby in this position for more than 20 minutes at a time, as it is not optimal for spinal development. Your baby will only complete their spinal development between 12-18 months, once they have mastered walking upright.

Our Stage 1 carrier has not been designed to be used in a back carry position for the following reasons:

Safety – Our Stage 1 carrier is specifically designed to complement the physical and emotional stage of your baby’s development and has not been designed or tested to be used in a back carry position. There is no chest strap with a buckle on our Stage 1 carrier, so when wearing the carrier like a backpack over your shoulders, there is a risk of the shoulder straps slipping off your shoulders, which would result in your baby falling. We have seen some parents wear the straps in an X across the chest to avoid this falling hazard, but again – we have not tested the carrier for this position and do not recommend it, especially for breastfeeding Moms, as the extra pressure from the straps around your breasts could lead to blocked milk ducts or engorgement and interfere with your breastfeeding journey.

Emotional wellbeing – When your baby is on your back, they are not in view at all times, which is recommended during the early months of your baby’s life. Your baby is not able to look at your face for reassurance, so you have to pay even greater attention to your baby’s signals which is difficult when they are on your back. Your baby needs to have strong neck muscles to be carried safely on your back, if their neck is not stable this could compromise their breathing and could lead to suffocation if their chin touches their chest and they are not able to lift it due to their neck muscles not being strong enough. When designing our carriers we also factored in the NINO period which stands for “nine months in, nine months out”. It’s the most important stage for emotional development, when your baby needs to feel the safety of being held close against your chest and the sound of your heartbeat will almost always calm them down. Babies often go through periods of being overstimulated and struggling to fall asleep so we designed our Stage 1 carrier to create more of a hugging feeling around baby, which mimics the feeling of being held snugly in the womb and helps to calm them down so they can fall asleep quickly.

Hence why we designed our Stage 2 for back carrying for a bigger baby (9 months+) to be worn on the back when baby is more inquisitive and active and wants to see the world and explore.

Yes, the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) acknowledges the Ubuntu Baba Stage 1 Carrier as one of their listed “hip-healthy” products.

Our baby carriers have been designed to ergonomically grow with your baby, supporting their legs in the correct ‘M’ position from birth through to toddlerhood.

No, the ergonomic M position is the natural froggy position that your baby will assume if you hold them up onto your chest, there is absolutely no over-stretching of the hips involved as the seat width on our Stage 1 carrier is fully adjustable to suit the width of your babies hips.

You can set the width to the tightest setting and then thread the carrier body through the small gap between your babies legs and spread the fabric up and over their bum to support their back. Their little feet can wrap around the carrier and back under their bum again.

At birth, it takes several months for the joints to stretch out naturally. The hip joint is a ball and socket joint. During the first few months of life, the ball is more likely to be loose within the socket because babies are naturally flexible and because the edges of the socket are made of soft cartilage, if the hips are forced into a stretched-out position too early, the ball is at risk of permanently deforming the edges of the cup shaped socket (hip dysplasia) or gradually slipping out of the socket all together (hip dislocation).

Hip dysplasia or dislocation in babies is not painful so it may go undetected until walking age – that is why it is so important to make sure your baby is in the correct “M” postion when babywearing. This is the natural ‘froggy’ position your baby will assume if you hold them up onto your chest, the natural position that babies have in the uterus. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute acknowledges the Ubuntu Baba Stage 1 Carrier as one of their listed “hip-healthy” products for newborns.

When using our Stage 1 carrier with a prem baby, it’s important to make sure to tie the drawstring to its tightest position so that your baby’s legs are not being overstretched more than hip distance apart. This is achieved by having your baby seated in the carrier in the ergonomically correct ‘M’ position – the natural ‘froggy’ position your baby will assume if you hold them up onto your chest. Your baby’s legs should be lightly spread and raised so their bum is sitting lower than their knees and their back is in the correct C-curve shape.

Make sure your baby’s neck, back and spine are well supported by the carrier and that your baby’s face is always visible out the top of the carrier, to make sure that there is enough airflow and their breathing is not being compromised. The fabric should come up to the back of your babies neck and you can roll up the hood for extra neck support and tuck it in underneath the shoulder straps.

Please feel free to send us a WhatsApp on 071 342 8367 or email info@ubuntubaba.com and we will be more than happy to check your baby’s positioning and assist you with any further questions.

There is no specific time frame as to how long you can wear your baby, if the wearer and baby are both comfortable and happy, then wear them as long as your heart desires. What better way to share some extra bonding time together.

Running with your baby in a carrier can lead to something called “shaken baby syndrome”. Their little frames are just not ready for the jolting movements that come with an adult running. It’s perfectly safe to go walking or hiking, but light jogging or running is definitely not safe or recommended in a baby carrier.

Yes, our carriers are designed specifically to support your back after pregnancy by evenly distributing your baby’s weight between the criss-cross shoulder straps in the middle of your back and the padded waistband.

During pregnancy, the abdominal muscles stretch in all directions. The support normally offered by the abdominal muscles is reduced and greater care needs to be taken to avoid injury. It may take up to 5 months or more for your body to regulate and start feeling like it did before you were pregnant. The elongated muscles have weakened in their ability to contract and any postnatal activity needs to be gentle.

High impact exercises are likely to induce injury and even simple tasks such as changing nappies, lifting a car seat, getting in and out of bed several times a night add to the stress of the weakened muscles. Often backache can be the result of a weak core, which is completely normal after pregnancy – be kind to yourself and slowly start to build up your core strength again.

Ubuntu Baba baby carriers are specifically designed to complement the physical and emotional stage of your baby’s development. A newborn baby is very different to a toddler – they sleep differently, cuddle differently and they experience the world differently, so it makes sense that they should be carried differently. A newborn baby requires more support to maintain an ergonomic position of the hips and spine, and when carrying a toddler, your body needs a little extra support to carry their extra weight.

Our Stage 1 carrier is designed first and foremost to help you meet the needs of your newborn baby quickly and easily. It’s made of a softer and more breathable organic hemp fabric than the Stage 2 (a young baby is still developing their system to be able to regulate their own body temperature) and grows with your baby from newborn to 14 months or 12kgs, whichever comes first. It can only be used in the inward facing front carry position and is more suitable for the ‘NINO period’ than the Stage 2. (Scroll down for more info on the NINO period.)

There is a drawstring across the body of the Stage 1 carrier which allows you to adjust the width of the seat – once your baby reaches the full width of the seat, that’s how you know they will be able to fit comfortably into the Stage 2. Most parents who own a Stage 1 carrier will upgrade to a Stage 2 between 10 and 12 months of age, for the main reason of wanting to be able to do a back carry, however many parents use the Stage 1 all the way through to 14 months.

The Stage 2 can be used from around 9 months+ and has a weight limit of 20kgs. It’s made from a cotton canvas and hemp blend, still more breathable than any other fabric of that thickness but less soft and breathable than a Stage 1. It’s a bigger carrier in general, and designed with a more emotionally mature toddler in mind and can be used for both front and back carry positions.

There is a drawstring across the body of the Stage 1 carrier which allows you to adjust the width of the seat – once your baby reaches the full width of the seat, that’s how you know they will be able to fit comfortably into the Stage 2. Most parents who own a Stage 1 carrier will upgrade to a Stage 2 between 10 and 12 months of age, for the main reason of wanting to be able to do a back carry, however many parents use the Stage 1 all the way through to 14 months.

They’re light, breathable, easy to use and can quickly adjust to fit all shapes and sizes. Our waistbands are supportive yet very gentle on c-section healing.

Hemp is UV resistant and a great temperature conductor, keeping your baby cool in hot weather and snuggly and warm during the winter months. Hemp fabric “wears in, not out” so your carrier gets softer and comfier, the more it’s worn. The farming of hemp also offers significant benefits for the economic and environmental sustainability of our planet as it grows rapidly and requires little water and no pesticides or herbicides.

Our baby carriers are made from imported organic hemp fabric, which is very pricey but it lasts forever, which is why our products come with a lifetime guarantee. Additionally, our carriers are entirely manufactured in South Africa by local employees, who are compensated in South African Rand. Unlike many other baby carrier brands, which are often produced in China, our commitment to local manufacturing does result in higher production costs.

As soon as you feel comfortable and able to walk and hold your baby safely, you will be able to use your carrier. When wearing your newborn the waistband will be positioned around belly button height which is much higher up than your incision, so it shouldn’t place any pressure on your scar. As with anything medical, it’s always best to listen to your medical practitioner’s advice.

It will take some practice, but yes! Please see our instructional video on how to breastfeed in our Stage 1 or Stage 2 carrier.

Yes! It is safe for most women to continue to babywear throughout pregnancy. For the back carry position in our Stage 2 carrier, you can choose to wear the waist belt above or below your pregnant bump. Do what feels most comfortable for you and listen to your body for cues of when to stop.

We love our Ubuntu Papas! Yes, babywearing is a wonderful way for Dad’s to bond with their babies.

Our carriers are very easy to adjust to fit all body types and sizes, with extra long straps that can be neatly tucked away at the length needed.

Fasten all buckles and wash your carrier in your washing machine with like colours. Do not hang in direct sunlight to dry. Cool wash, do not soak. DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER – it will make the breathable hemp fabric stiff and sticky. Do not tumble dry or dry clean.

Our factory is based in Retreat in Cape Town and we are proud to say that our products are all 100% South African manufactured.

We don’t do trade-ins, however Ubuntu Baba baby carriers come with a lifetime guarantee on all stitching and workmanship, meaning they retain their resale value very well, so you should easily be able to sell your Stage 1 or Stage 2 carrier second hand on the Pre-loved Ubuntu Baba Facebook Group (please note this group is a community run group and we are not responsible for any purchases or sales made on this group – always be aware of scammers!).

We have had many requests for this over the years and have thoroughly investigated manufacturing a twin carrier – however after much thought we decided not to pursue this project. We do offer a twin special to any parents expecting twins and wanting to use two x Stage 1 carriers, we offer 20% off your purchase. Email info@ubuntubaba.com if you’re expecting twins and would like to take advantage of this offer.

We offer a 30 day money back guarantee (on orders shipped within South Africa only). Please read our terms & conditions for more detailed information on our return / refund policy.

We offer free door-to-door delivery throughout South Africa on all orders over R1,000 and will deliver your carrier to your door within 3-5 working days. Please allow an extra 2-3 working days for farms or outlying areas. For any orders under R1,000 we charge a flat rate of R85.

Yes we do! We can deliver worldwide at a cost of R1000 shipping per baby carrier. It usually takes between 6-10 working days to get to you – but this is an estimate only as it depends on flight availability and customs delays. Please note that we do not accept returns or support exchanges for international orders.

Countries outside of South Africa may be subject to additional duties to be paid. As the recipient, you are liable for all import duties, customs and local sales taxes levied by the country you reside in; payment of these is necessary to release your order from customs on arrival.

Our products come with a lifetime guarantee on all stitching and workmanship. It does not cover damage caused by normal wear and tear, improper care or cleaning, non-standard usage, misuse or negligence, or the natural breakdown of colours and materials over extended time and use.

Absolutely. Keeping your baby upright after a feed has been attributed to decreasing the effects of reflux by helping to stop the acid refluxing and your baby vomiting. As soon as your baby has settled after a feed you can put them in the carrier which will keep them in an upright position. The simple natural movement of walking with your baby in a carrier will help calm and settle them.

No, there is no such thing as spoiling your baby. Your baby needs as much love and physical touch as possible to help them feel comfortable in their new environment. This is what baby expert Meg Faure has to say on the subject:
“Until 200 years ago all babies were carried on their moms and dad, in slings and carriers. Most babies love to be carried and those who spend a lot of time in a sling or carrier around their parents’ bodies tend to cry less than those who don’t. By keeping your baby close to you, you will provide him with physical contact, security, stimulation and movement, which are all excellent conditions for his development.” Read Meg’s full article here.

In babywearing, the NINO period stands for nine months in, nine months out. It’s the most important stage for emotional development, when your baby needs to feel the safety of being held close against your chest and the sound of your heartbeat will almost always calm them down. Babies often go through periods of being overstimulated and struggling to fall asleep so we designed our Stage 1 carrier to create more of a hugging feeling around baby, which mimics the feeling of being held snugly in the womb and helps to calm them down so they can fall asleep quickly.

Like most things, babywearing takes a bit of practice. Follow these tips for a happy babywearing experience or email us and we’ll be more than happy to troubleshoot with you.