Baby Carriers (Backpacks, Slings, Wraps)
Baby carriers come in many designs and sizes. Parents generally have two choices: soft front baby carriers and baby slings. Hip carriers and child carrier backpacks will also work for older babies and toddlers.
- Soft front baby carriers:Soft front baby carriers
have a fabric seat with leg openings and straps that crisscross across
your back. Your baby sits against your chest in an upright position,
with his or her head supported by the back of the baby carrier. Some
soft front baby carriers also allow babies to face outward as they get
older. Front baby carriers make a good choice for parents who want an
baby carrier without a lot of fabric that distributes weight across
both shoulders, and allows the baby's legs to freely stretch outside of
the baby carrier.
- Baby slings & baby wraps:Baby slings,
sometimes called wraps, made of a long band of fabric, distribute your
baby's weight across your back and over one shoulder. Baby slings allow
you to nurse discreetly and you can use it in various positions
optimized for infants, older babies, and toddlers. Simply slip your
baby sling over your head to take it off. Newborns tend to curl up into
the fetal position when they're initially placed in a baby sling. If
you'd rather have your baby's legs stretch out, free of the carrier,
choose a front carrier instead.
- Hip baby carriers: Simple hip baby carriers
have a canvas seat that sits on your hip, a shoulder strap that swings
around your body like a sling, and a strap that fits around your waist.
With less fabric than a sling and higher weight limits than most front
carriers, hip baby carriers make the perfect low-hassle choice for
carrying older babies and toddlers who can sit upright unassisted.
- Child carrier backpacks:Child carrier backpacks
look like hiking backpacks and allow you to take your baby on hikes and
for long walk. Most child carrier backpacks even have a storage
compartment so that you can leave your diaper bag at home. Your baby
must be able to sit upright without assistance to go in a child carrier
backpack, usually at about 6 months old.
- Your baby will spend a lot of time in the baby carrier, sitting close to your body. Look for an baby carrier made of a soft and breathable fabric to prevent overheating. Also, choose a washable fabric for easy maintenance.
Select a Soft Front Baby Carrier
Soft front baby carriers make a perfect choice for those who want their child to sit upright against their chest. Your baby will be supported and their weight will be centered on your body. Ensure the soft front baby carrier you choose adjusts to fit everyone who plans to wear it.
Soft front baby carrier weight requirements
All soft front baby carriers list minimum age, minimum weight, and maximum weight limits. Do not use soft front baby carriers with babies who do not meet the age and weight requirements set by the carrier manufacturer.
- Minimum soft front baby carrier age requirements:
Pay close attention to minimum weight and age requirements when you buy
your soft front baby carrier. Most soft front baby carriers have a
minimum weight of 8 pounds and minimum age of 1 week old. Some soft
front baby carriers, such as the Baby Bjorn, have snaps or a piece of fabric to reduce the size of the leg openings for infants.
- Maximum soft front baby carrier weight requirements: All carriers list a maximum weight limit, usually in the 20- to 35-pound range. You may want to switch to a child carrier backpack or lightweight stroller when your baby reaches 6 or 7 months old, no matter how much your baby weighs. At this point, you'll start to feel the baby's weight pull you forward and your baby's legs will probably hit your own legs as you walk. Contact your pediatrician with any questions.
Find convertible soft front baby carriers
For the most flexibility, find a soft front baby carrier that allows you to both face your baby toward you as well as out toward the world.
- Forward-facing soft front baby carriers: Infants like facing your chest for comfort, security, and head support.
- Outward-facing soft front baby carriers: When babies reach 4 or 5 months old, they want to see what's going on around them. Outward-facing babies who have a decent amount of head support can freely kick and experience their environment without a struggle.
Select soft front baby carrier seating options
Soft
front baby carrier seats should provide complete head and neck support
for your baby. Leg openings can also have additional padding for
comfort. Look for a seat that you can fully remove or unsnap at one
side. If your baby falls asleep in the carrier, you'll be able to take
it off easily and lay your baby down for a nap.
Evaluate soft front baby carrier straps
Look
for well-padded and wide shoulder straps that crisscross at the center
of your back. Carriers that cross between your shoulder blades put more
pressure on your neck and back and are not as comfortable for long-term
use. If you or your spouse is tall, purchase a carrier with extra-long
straps or extended straps designed for larger people. More active
parents need a soft front baby carrier with a waist belt. Front
carriers with waist belts, such as certain models from Snugli and the Active Baby Bjorn, distribute weight more evenly across your body, relieving stress on your upper back and shoulders during long-distance walks.
Strap on a Baby Sling or Wrap
Traditional baby slings, popular worldwide for decades, surround your infant in fabric and can be converted into a seat for toddlers. For newborns, let the baby-sling fabric cradle your newborn close to your heart, allowing for discreet nursing. Use a kangaroo-carry position or hip-carry position for older or larger babies and toddlers who want to see more of the world. Make sure the baby sling you buy has its original instruction manual or videotape demonstrating the various holding positions.
- Padded baby slings:
Baby slings, such as the Original BabySling from NoJo, have a shoulder
pad that you can use as a newborn head support, padding on the edge of
the fabric, and a plastic ring to hold the fabric in place. Move the
fabric through the plastic ring to achieve the right fit and change
seating positions. These baby slings typically have a maximum weight
limit of 30 pounds.
- Wrap baby slings: Wrap baby slings are simply made of sturdy, unpadded cotton fabric. For example, the Maya wrap sling is made of 100% cotton, hand-loomed Guatemalan fabric. They usually have more material than traditional baby slings. The extra fabric allows for more adjustable options, making wraps a good choice for parents who drastically differ in height. Many baby wraps can also work as a back carrier. Wrap baby slings typically have a maximum weight limit of 35 pounds.
