Learn how to choose the best baby carrier that holds your child securely and is comfortable for you and your child.
A carrier is a good way to keep your child near you while you are hands-free for other activities.
Babywearing makes it simpler to go on family outings, run errands, and do housework. The variety of carriers and slings on the market can be overwhelming if you’re looking to buy your first one. Baby carrier selection tips will help you choose the best baby carrier that fits you and your child.
Types of Baby Carriers
The ideal baby carrier is safe and comfortable. It’s cozy for you and the infant, is easy to use, and provides the utility your lifestyle demands. Yet, there are now more options for carriers than you can think. New baby-wearing techniques crop up every other day and modern technology doesn’t disappoint when adding more comfort and convenience to what is already available. Here are different types of baby carriers and slings.
Classic Carriers
Classic baby carriers support your baby’s head, back, and bottom with a padded construction. You secure them to your body by adjusting straps and plastic buckles. Some have a newborn insert included. In a classic carrier, the infant would face outward or toward the wearer’s chest. You can also wear some designs on the hip or back.
Soft Structured Carriers and Mei Tais
You can wear Mei Tais and soft-structured carriers on the front, back, and hip. Both designs feature a sizable rectangular fabric with straps at each corner. To form a pouch for your child to sit in, attach the bottom straps of the carrier around your waist.
Mei Tais often has long fabric that you wrap and tie around the body. Soft-structured carriers include padded straps with buckles. Both designs are present in some carriers; you can use most of them for newborns.
Backpack Carriers
You can wear backpack carriers like a backpack or rucksack. They have a framed seat for your infant and have storage underneath the frame. Most backpack carriers have straps around your chest and waist for safety.
This type of carrier positions your infant in a seated posture behind your back. Notably, they are only appropriate when your infant can support her head and body.
Pouch Carriers
Pouch carriers are long pieces of fabric stitched together to form a loop. The material is often cotton or a cotton blend. You wear the material by folding it twice diagonally from one shoulder to the opposing hip. Your baby can sit in a little pouch made of a curved seam. You can carry older babies facing outwards and newborns can face your front.
Ring Slings
A ring sling is a long, soft, non-stretchable fabric, such as cotton or linen. It has two small rings at one end. To make an adjustable fastener, thread through one ring and tuck under the other. The sling runs diagonally across the body between one shoulder and the opposing hip. Most parents opt for a ring sling to carry their child on their hip or in front of them. You can also use them to hold an older infant or toddler facing outward.
Wraps
Wraps are designed with one long piece of fabric that you can tie around your body in various ways. They are available in a range of lengths to accommodate most body types. Stretchy wraps and woven wraps are the two most common types.
Cotton jerseys and other elasticized materials are used to make stretchy wraps. To fit your baby in, you tie the wrap around your body, then stretch the material over your baby.
The woven wraps are made of cotton, or a combination of cotton and another material like linen. Parents of older babies prefer woven wraps because of the stronger material.
Choosing a Baby Carrier
Finding a suitable baby carrier can be difficult due to the wide array of options on the market. Here are some tips to guide you in choosing the best fit for you and your baby:
Baby weight and age
Some baby carriers can fit the smallest infants, including preterm and newborn infants. Others are only appropriate for older kids, such as toddlers and preschoolers. Numerous carriers offer adjustable features to accommodate your child’s growth over time.
When choosing a carrier, consider the rapid growth experienced by children during their early years of life. As a result, you should consider how long the carrier will last and remain appropriate for your child’s changing weight and age.
Comfort
Various carriers may appear more comfortable to different caretakers depending on their childs’ size and shape. Wide waist belts and adjustable, padded shoulder straps are generally well-liked by wearers. Unpadded, thin waistbands may cause backaches. Furthermore, unpadded, cutting-edge straps tend to dig into the shoulders and neck. Baby carriers with lumbar support are the best for people who experience back pain.
Carrier maintenance
Most babies try to chew on the shoulder straps and this causes them to drool a lot. If your carrier isn’t cleaned, drool can leave stains and cause your carrier to smell. For this reason, choose carriers that are machine washable. You can also buy teething bibs or pads to wrap around the shoulder straps, protecting it from drool.
Ease of use
Wraps need several steps, but ring slings and soft structured carriers are simpler. Read the ‘how to use’ directions before buying a carrier. Also, soft-structured carriers may be too large to fit inside a diaper bag. Contrastingly, you can fold wraps and slings to fit in.
Size
It’s important to consider who you will be sharing your baby carrier with while choosing one. Will it be someone much bigger or smaller than you? Everyone who will carry your infant should be able to use the carrier. If your XXL spouse will also use it, do not buy a slim carrier made for a small wearer. Select carriers that offer ease of adjustment, especially if multiple caregivers utilize them.
Wide seat for the baby
Ensure the carrier enables your baby’s legs to be in the “M” position. And knees are higher than bottoms. This is good for their hip development and lowers the risk that your child may develop hip dysplasia.
Safety
Make sure your baby is safe at all times. Remember to observe T.I.C.K.S :
T – Tight. The wrap or carrier should be sufficiently snug keeping the child securely against your body.
I – in the view at all times. Make sure you can see the baby’s face by looking down. That way you can check their breathing and check on their mood.
C– Close enough to kiss. Can you kiss the top of the head without much effort? If not, reposition your baby until they are close to your chin.
K– Keep chin off chest. Ensure there is a space of two fingers between your baby’s chin and your chest.
S– Supported back. Avoid over-tightening the carrier over your baby’s back. You should support the back tight enough so they are not curled into a C shape.
A baby carrier is essential for keeping your infant close and comfortable during activities. There are various types of carriers; including classic carriers, soft structured carriers, pouch carriers, ring slings, and wraps. The ideal carrier should be secure, ergonomic, and provide the necessary utility for your lifestyle.
When choosing a baby carrier, consider the baby’s weight and age, comfort, care, ease of use, size, wide seat, and safety. Choose carriers that are easy to adjust and accommodate many caregivers. Remember to observe T.I.C.K.S. (Tight, In view at all times, Close enough to kiss) to ensure your baby is safe and comfortable.