There are a lot of baby carriers out there, but before you fork over the fifty or hundred bucks for one, consider what type you need.
Here are three of the most important things to keep in mind when weighing your options:
The carrier’s versatility: How many ways and for how long can it be worn?
Your infant’s development: Can baby control neck and head movement? Do you need to switch carriers when baby can sit unassisted?
Your wearing circumstances: When do you plan to wear your baby? While walking? While breast-feeding? While multitasking? These three criteria will steer you toward buying a carrier that will last.
The Five Types of Carrier
- Soft Front and Back Carriers. (Birth to 10 months) Think kangaroo pouch, but with openings for arms and legs. The ones worth consideration have padded shoulder and waist straps that adjust to fit.
- Side Carriers. (6-18 months) Babes in arms are most often carried on a parent or caregiver’s hip. This carrier type puts baby in the same position and frees up your hands. Look for padding and adjust-to-fit straps.
- Slings. (Birth to 14 months) Known for their soft hammock-like feel, baby slings are ideal for the newer baby who likes to sleep on you. The gentle rocking of your movement lulls baby to sleep. Slings are also known for their longevity and can be used from birth to 2 years.
- Wraps. (Birth to 10 months) Basically a long swath of high quality stretchy fabric. What I love about wraps is that they have many of the plusses of slings: soft breathable fabric, ease of sleeping and breast-feeding, versatile positioning. Three great features exclusive to wraps: maximum adjustability, maximum closeness, and stylish fun fabric choices.
- Framed Back Carriers. A super-sturdy option for longer walks or hikes, they are a bit more expensive and have a narrower range of uses. Baby sits behind and slightly above you, backpack style. Imagine your baby’s hands resting on your shoulders (or using your head as a drum). A metal frame, lots of padding, adjustable straps, and zipper or mesh pouches for water, snacks, and diapers are standard. Look for one with an attachable sunshade.
Which Carrier is Right for You?
Most parents end up buying one or two. If you’re already balking at the baby gear crowding your house, focus on when you’ll be wearing your baby and the carrier’s longevity (Will it take you from newborn to toddler?). Consider your baby’s age, weight, development, and wearing needs:
- Newborn (0-2 months): 5-10 pounds, on average. No neck control. Baby is worn mostly for soothing, eating, sleeping, and hands-free carrying so you can multitask. Recommended: Slings and Wraps.
- Newer baby (3-5 months): 11-17 pounds, has neck control, visual contrast development makes the world a very interesting place. Baby is worn for soothing, sleeping, nursing, and sightseeing (Hey, even the grocery store is exotic for baby, at this point). Recommended: Slings, Wraps, or Soft Front/Back Carriers.
- Sitting baby (6-8 months): 18-20 pounds, grasps toys, is playful and alert. Now that baby is eating solids and taking semi-regular naps, wearing at 6-8 months is primarily for “sightseeing”, errands, and hands-free-of-baby activities (vacuuming, dog walking). Recommended: Wraps, Front/Back Carrier, Side Carrier (Baby must be able to sit unassisted before side carrying).
- Baby in Motion (9-16 months): 21-25 pounds, moves and crawls, may pull self up, vocalizes. Baby is worn for the same reasons as 6-8 month-olds, but may begin to protest being slung around. Most slings or carriers out there are good up to 35 pounds. But what about your back? Aside from framed backpack carriers, most parents stop wearing their babies when they reach 23 pounds or so. Recommended: Front/Back Carrier, Framed Back Carrier.
I’ve tried too many of the carriers out there by buying them. Fortunately, the baby gear resale market is thriving.
Do it the smart way: find a small retailer with a large selection and ask the salesperson to demonstrate how to wear them. Aim to find a carrier that has at least some versatility (two wearable positions). Buying online is likely cheaper, with the trade-off being that you can’t try it out first – check the online merchant’s refund policy.
Best Bets for Baby
Nursing and sleeping newborns: Sling by Balboa Baby ($60), Moby Wrap ($40), SleepWrap ($35). All are adjustable. View baby slings for these models.
Quick Off and On: Peanut Shell Sling ($36), BabyBjorn ($60), Ergo ($105). Note: The Peanut Shell is nonadjustable. The other two are quick to put on if already adjusted to fit you. I found the Moby to be an unlikely favorite in this category, because the store clerk wisely suggested I put it on at home (without baby!) and wear it while driving to our destination. View baby slings for these models.
Easy on the Back and Shoulders: The Ergo, the BabyBjorn. View structured front packs for models.
Best All-around: Slings and Wraps. Baby can be worn on your front (facing in or out), back, or side. Slings edge out wraps as baby nears 18 pounds. A padded shoulder sling will take you from zero to sixteen months for under a hundred bucks. View baby slings and wraps for styles and models.
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