Baby Wearing for the Conceal Carrying Parent | Back Carry

Earlier this year I wrote Baby Wearing and Conceal Carry for New Mothers. In that article I heavily focused on carrying baby on my front, and only briefly mentioned carrying baby on my back. I did this in part because I had not seen any other resources discussing how to baby wear an itty bitty baby on your front, while also conceal carrying. Also, I was not a confident back wrapper, and Baby Primer Peak (PP) was not big enough to be safely worn on my back in a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC) or Onbuhimo.

Some months have passed and Baby PP is now one. We’ve continued to baby wear, and I’ve gained confidence back carrying. Without further ado, this is what I’ve learned.

Safe Back Carrying for a Conceal Carrier

How to back carry safely is going to vary a little between the types of carriers. We will look at how to safely back carry in both a wrap, as well as with a SSC.

Wraps

I want to begin by saying that it is NEVER safe to back carry with a stretchy wrap. Only attempt to back carry with a woven wrap. A woven wrap is made from natural fibers, and there is no stretch to the fabric outside that of the weave (like a towel). A stretchy wrap will often have spandex or spandex blends, and will stretch more like leggings or a t-shirt.

When back carrying with a woven wrap you want to be mindful of your child’s positioning. We still want to have an “M” position for their legs, and a clear airway. You want the rails (edges of the fabric) to be tight holding baby in, and you want them to have a good seat so they won’t fall out.

Be sure to practice at home so both you and your child are comfortable getting on and off your back.

Soft Structured Carriers (SSCs) and Onbuhimos

Most SSCs on the market allow for safe back carrying. Additionally, carriers, like the Onbuhimo, have been traditionally used as a back carry method for centuries. In order to back carry your baby safely you need to first read the manufacturer’s guide and see what is required for their product (and to confirm it is safe to do so).

Before back carrying with a SSC or Onbuhimo, your baby needs to be sitting independently and have good head and neck control. If baby is not able to sit independently they risk slumping over in the carrier and that can inhibit their breathing.

Baby also needs to be able to spread their legs across your back so you can still get that desired “M” shape with their legs. As a refresher, the “M” shape looks like their bottom resting below their knees. If your baby has issues with their hips, or still prefers to have “froggy legs”, back carrying with an SSC or Onbuhimo might not be an option.

Safe Donning and Doffing

Whether you decide to back carry with a woven wrap or with a SSC you need to know how to get baby on your back safely. It’s recommended to practice over your bed until you are comfortable in whatever method you choose.

When I put Baby Primer Peak on my back with our Onbuhimo, I like to sit them into the carrier, and put them on like a back pack. Then I will wiggle and adjust so that they are properly situated, and we are both comfortable. You can find a video example HERE.

With a woven wrap I have practiced a “Santa Toss” to get them up and over my shoulders. You can accomplish this by laying them in the wrap with some bunching under their bottom. Bring both ends of the fabric together and lift them up like they are a little sack. Then you gently toss them over your shoulder and move the tails around before you begin wrapping. You can find a video example HERE.

There are a lot of other great ways to get baby/toddler onto your back, these are the two ways that I like and am most confident in. If there is a certified baby wearing educator near you, you could reach out to them. There are also a number of baby wearing educators online that you can schedule online consults with, like thebabywearing.ot on Instagram. You can also find videos on YouTube that can walk you through the process.

Additional Safety Considerations

Just like with front carrying your baby, you still need to maintain situational awareness. You need to be aware of potential tripping and other fall hazards are around you. My family recently took a trip to the coast of New England and we spent a day walking along the rocky beach. We had a lot of fun, and Baby PP enjoyed being carried on my back. At times I struggled to maintain solid footing, so my husband offered me a hand as I climbed over rocks and the uneven surfaces, just to make sure Baby PP and I didn’t fall down.

You also need to be aware of the baby’s limbs. Baby PP is still pretty small, and their limbs do not reach around to my front. But very soon their little legs will move closer to my sides, and their hands will be able to reach out in front of me. Be sure to practice your draw stroke with your little one on your back. Make sure no little arms and legs get in the way.

While baby wearing is not covered in Citizen’s Defense Research’s class, The Armed Parent/Guardian, they do teach tactics covering how to shoot when you have children with you. If you haven’t taken it yet, I recommend that you do.

Advantages of Back Carry for the Conceal Carrier

If you have the option to back carry I would highly recommend it. Back carrying opens up a lot of space on your front allowing you to keep your firearm forward of your hips. Baby is also “out of the way” allowing you to see better out in front of you.

Back carrying also offers a new perspective of the world for your curious baby. Unlike forward, or world facing, with back carry baby is able to tuck their head back into you if they become overwhelmed. This prevents some overstimulated tantrums when out and about, allowing you to focus on the tasks at hand. It is also safe for baby to sleep while you are back carrying, which is not a safe option if world facing.

Ways to Back Carry for the Conceal Carrier

There are many different carriers on the market that allow for back carry. Much like with front carry, there are not many that I have found to be conducive with conceal carry. Here I will share my personal recommendations and reasoning behind these choices.

Woven Wraps

In my previous article I shared why I am a fan of woven wraps. There are two reasons why I think woven wraps are great for the conceal carrier who wants to back carry their babies.

First, you can back carry a newborn with a woven wrap. As far as I know, there is no other product on the market that allows you to do so. Many products and carriers require baby to be sitting unassisted, but you can safely back carry a newborn with a woven wrap.

Second, there are a lot of different ties, or finishes, you can do with a woven wrap that keep a pass away from your waistband. You can check out The Wrapping Gallery for step by step guides.

Onbuhimos

We’ve been carrying Baby PP around in a Happy Baby Carrier Onbuhimo a lot these past few months. I wrote more in depth why an Onbuhimo was a good option for a conceal carrier in my previous article. The reasoning is the same when you look to apply it to back carrying. The biggest advantage to an Onbuhimo carrier is that there is no waistband to get in the way of your firearm. Whether you choose to carry AIWB, or in a Flashbang, both are options when back carrying with an Onbuhimo. In fact, this is the only baby wearing method that allows me to use the Flashbang, which is very important as I cannot carry AIWB at the moment.

Conclusion on Baby Wearing for the Conceal Carrying Parent | Back Carry

Baby wearing has easily been one of my favorite parts of motherhood. I love being able to keep my baby close as we run errands, and I am comforted feeling their weight on me and knowing that they are still there. Being able to back carry them on my back has been a huge help both in and outside the home. Back carrying can be scary the first few times you do it, but it’s definitely worth exploring, especially if you need a new way to access your firearm while you continue on your baby wearing journey.

Don’t forget to check out our other articles on conceal carry for new parents below!

First Trimester

Second Trimester

Third Trimester

Fourth Trimester

Training While Pregnant

Conceal Carrying for New and Expectant Fathers

Conceal Carry Methods and Baby Wearing for New Parents [2025]

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