Manisha in PA wants to make sure that her baby doesn’t need to use the infant insert:

One question, my little guy just turned 4 months but he’s a long skinny thing yet to hit 12 lbs.  I tried using the infant insert as directed on the DVD, but it looks like he doesn’t need it.  Is it okay to not use it even though he’s not 15 lbs? He has pretty good neck control.

Beco fan, Lissi from Sprout Soup, lets her know:

The infant insert is used for babies up to fifteen pounds. This doesn’t mean you have to use it if your baby is under fifteen pounds, but tall enough to sit in the main part of the Beco Butterfly. I like to make sure that the top of the carrier ends at least half-way up baby’s head. With the adjustable insert in the Butterfly II, you can lower the seat to keep the top of the carrier properly supporting your baby’s neck. But of course do not lower the infant insert beyond the marked line on the inside of your Beco! Once your baby is tall enough that more than half of his head is over the top of the carrier with the infant insert is set on the lowest position, it’s time to graduate to the larger, main section of the carrier.

Here’s a couple guidelines that will help determine if your baby is too small to sit in the main part of the Butterfly and needs to remain in the infant insert. First, your baby needs to be able to sit with one leg on each side of the body of the Butterfly. If his legs can’t straddle it, then he needs to stay in the infant insert where the seat is narrower. Second, the side openings of the carrier may be too large for your little one, make sure that where the shoulder straps come around and attach to the sides of the carrier is lower than half-way between your baby’s armpits and his thigh. Finally, make sure you can lean forward and kiss the top of your baby’s head when he’s riding in the carrier. This ensures that he is high enough and in the most comfortable position for you!