How to choose the right baby carrier for you and for your baby
While shopping for your new arrival can be fun, deciding on the best products can be equally confusing for first time parents. There are so many different types and styles of baby carriers out there and choosing the best product for your needs can seem a little overwhelming. A number of factors will influence your choice, including lifestyle, the baby's size and age and their personal preferences. You also need to consider the comfort factor for you, too. If you're going to be using your baby carrier a lot, then be aware that the most comfortable position is where the baby is high up and tucked close against your body. Carriers which hang from your shoulders can be very uncomfortable when worn for any length of time, even with a small baby. If you find you have a baby who likes to be carried a lot, you'll need to choose a sling or carrier with broad straps, so that the weight is evenly distributed across your body. Below, we help you to find quickly the right carrier based on the age of your child. In addition, we explain each type of carrier in detail, along with an honest appraisal of the advantages and disadvantages of each and finally you can learn more about the different carrying positions. Ultimately, your baby will tell you whether or not they like the carrier you choose.
Which carrier should I choose for my baby?
How do the different baby carrier brands compare to each other?
What are the different styles of baby carriers?
Several styles of carrier fall into this category, with some design variations according to brand and model. Broadly speaking, they are more structured than a sling or wrap, with shoulder straps and usually a waist band. Some are designed for front carrying, some for back or hip, and some are interchangeable. Most of the support for the baby is across its bottom. Many soft structured baby carriers are suitable from birth and will have fold-down panels to ensure baby cannot slip down. Many of these carriers can be used for older babies and toddlers too, and certain styles will offer a larger ‘body’ to ensure good back support for the child.
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Brands: Manduca, Ergobaby Carrier, Boba Carrier, Bondolino, Storchenwiege Baby Carrier
Mei Tai
A Mei Tai carrier has a square or oblong body, with a long waist strap and two long shoulder straps. When used correctly, baby's knees are positioned higher than their bottom and their legs are spread at the hips. This position, known as ‘spread’ or ‘squat’, is good for baby’s hip and spine development. Pronounced “may tie”, this style of baby carrier has a long history. The traditional Mei Tai originated in Asia, where mothers often carried their babies in simple lengths of fabric that they tied to their bodies.
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Brands: Mei Tai Earth
Pouch sling
Pouch slings are simple and easy to use and ideal for newborns. They are made from a single piece of fabric and are worn like a sash, across the shoulder. The fabric folds back on itself to form a pouch for your baby. There are several variations on the pouch sling; some are non-adjustable and some can be adjusted with poppers or zips.
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Brand: Minimonkey
Ring sling
Ring slings are made from a single piece of fabric, which you thread through two rings, to form a loop. The sling is worn over one shoulder and you pull the fabric through the rings to tighten and then secure it. Some ring slings will come with padding across the rings and rails, which some women find more comfortable and others find it makes the sling bulkier, so it is a matter of personal preference.
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Brands: Storchenwiege RingSling
Stretchy sling
Sometimes also called ‘wrap around baby carriers’ or ‘wrap around slings’, or simply ‘wraps’, these work on the same principle as other types of slings, but they provide a more tailored fit, as you literally tie the stretchy fabric around the body and then place your baby inside. All elastic slings or wraps are perfect baby carriers for preemies, small babies and newborns providing the closeness and warmth that they crave, as well as the reassuring sounds of mum’s heartbeat. Wrapping the mother or father and her or his baby in a soft and stretchy wrap is a way to provide the essential skin-to-skin contact which is needed by your child so much (kangarooing).
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Brands: Boba / Sleepy Wrap, Tricot Slen, ByKay, Je Porte Mon Bébé
Woven baby sling
Babies who enjoy being swaddled will love being carried in a baby sling. Slings also offer a high degree of flexibility: you can wear your baby close to your chest or, when they are older, against your back. Slings offer plenty of comfort for babies and allow the baby to breastfeed without any dramatic position changes. A woven sling or wrap is compared to the elastic sling much less stretchy which means for some of the carrying positions you need to tie the baby wrap around your baby rather than tying the wrap first. Although you need to practice a little bit once you have mastered the simple tying techniques woven slings are a joy to use.
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Brands: Carry Sling
Organic Baby Carriers and Slings
Most major brands now offer 100% organic cotton baby carriers and slings, while others may use a blend of natural, untreated fibres. At babymaxi, we are keen supporters of organic materials, so regardless of which of the above styles you prefer, you can be sure to find an environmentally-friendly option to meet your needs. Conventional methods of cotton farming contribute high levels of soil and water pollution through the use of fertilisers and pesticides. Some research also suggests that fabrics exposed to chemical processing may lead to residues being absorbed through the skin. What’s more, organic cotton is generally softer and stronger because the fabric has not been subjected to harsh chemicals during the production process. Therefore, if you choose organic, it’s not only good for the environment, it’s best for you and your baby, too. Brands: Tricot Slen Bio, Minimonkey Organic
Which carrying position is best?There are various positions in which you can carry your baby, depending on the type of carrier you choose and the size and age of your child. Babies are often pictured in the ‘foetal’ position but there are in fact a number of options, including on the back or even on the hip, once your baby is older and stronger. There is no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ choice, provided you follow the golden rule of safety, namely to ensure that baby’s head is always positioned higher than the rest of their body, and that it is well supported until they have gained good head and neck control. It really comes down to personal preference, but if you’re new to baby carriers, you’ll find the below guide to carrying positions a useful starting point. Foetal position The foetal or cradle position is one of the positions recommended for newborns and smaller babies and can be achieved with any type of sling or wrap. To place your baby in the fetal position, wear your sling backwards so the shoulder pad can be used as a pillow, with their head towards the carrying shoulder. For the first few weeks, it is also recommended that you place a folded blanket under baby’s head and body, for additional support. Front carrier Newborn babies are still too small to be carried upright with their legs hanging outside. However they get enough support when you carry them in their natural posture – tummy to tummy - with their legs tucked in. This upright position is called kangaroo position or also upright newborn/Infant hold position and is especially recommended for premature babies, newborns and smaller babies. It can be achieved with a baby sling (baby wrap) or ring sling which are great to hold the baby skin-to-skin with his mother or father to give him warmth and comfort, like in the womb. When babies are about 3 to 4 months old and they have good head control they can sit upright in the kangaroo position with their legs dangling. We recommend carrying your baby facing you to ensure carriage in the ergonomically correct spread-squat-position which is also called M- or frog position. You can carry your baby on your front in any sling, Mei Tai or soft structured baby carrier which will have an ‘infant insert’ or where you can adjust the width of the bar in the child’s leg area according to the size of your child. There are a number of variations and you can experiment to see what suits you and your baby best. Back carrier When your baby is around 5 months old and when it can hold his head securely, it can be carried on your back using a soft structured carrier, Mei Tai or any type of baby sling. However, if your baby is a wriggler, you may find the single-shoulder carriers a little less secure than the structured carriers and Mei Tais, but it is a useful temporary position if you need your baby away from your front for a short while. As the baby gets older, the back carrying position especially in a soft structured baby carrier is generally favoured. Hip carrier After around 6 months old, hip carrying is another option. The hip carrying position can be achieved with a ringsling, pouch sling, wrap, some soft structured carriers and specially-designed hip carriers. This position is usually either a little to the front or the back of your hip. Many babies like this position as they can watch the world go by and still be reassured by being able to see your face. Babies can sleep in this position with their head resting on your shoulder, but naturally this will reduce the mobility of your arm. Some mothers find the hip carrying position quite convenient for breastfeeding. Stretchy sling
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