Baby Carrier Guide

New parents have so many choices available to them from deciding what name to call their baby, to which crib they will sleep in, or even what diapers or formula they will use.  Among these many choices, parents need to determine what infant products they really need and which ones they don't.  I found that by the time I had my fourth child there were many products I could live with and without. Many things I thought were absolutely essential with my first child no longer seemed as important, but one product that remained an essential and necessary product to use as a new mother of one or four was a baby carrier.  

Advantages to purchasing a baby carrier or baby sling:

• Carriers encourage bonding between parent and infant
• They make it easy to nurse in privacy
• Carriers cut down on your infants' exposure to strangers: people are less likely to touch an infant in a carrier or sling attached to your body, than one in a car seat or stroller.
• Baby slings may decrease the risk of postpartum depression by holding your child often (Source: The Baby Book, by William and Martha Sears)
• Fathers find it easy and more comfortable to carry their infants in slings/carriers
• Infants and babies enjoy the movement of your body in an infant carrier
• Carriers soothe colicky babies
• Slings keeps babies close to your body, where they are secure and comforted by the sound of your heartbeat
• Keeps your hands free for other tasks such as holding the hand of another child while walking
• Slings and carriers keep you baby warm in the winter
• Easier to transport, clean and not as heavy as a stroller

When I first started using a baby carrier, my choices were very limited. But that was 20 years ago, and now with my youngest, now age 1, there are several different types of baby carriers and baby slings available and they basically fit into four types: Front carrier, Backpack carriers, Asian style carriers, and Sling Carriers

Here are descriptions and Examples of the Four Major Types of Baby Carriers and Baby Slings:

Front Baby Carrier:  Front carriers are known as the classic baby carrier of the carrier/sling product family.  Versions of it are at least 20 years old.  They are relatively easy to use and adjustable for the different heights and weights of parents.  Usually quite simple in structure and design, the front carrier is like a backpack on your chest, with straps that loop over your shoulders, then wrap around your waist to finally lock into place in the front.  Most front carriers have a padded head rest that baby can rest on when facing the parent's chest, but that must be folded down when the baby is facing outward. Much of the support for the baby is in the crotch area as well as the support provided by the shoulder straps. They are large in size and weigh more than baby slings. Many have adjustments across the seat or crotch to make support more secure and baby more comfortable.

Examples:  Popular styles of front baby carriers include Baby Bjorn Carrier in Original, Air, and Active models, Evenflo Snugli Carrier, Jeep 2-1 Baby Carrier, and Infantino Eurorider

Backpack Carrier:  Usually designed with metal frames, padded shoulder straps, cushioned head rest and crotch seat, sunshade, and small pockets of storage.  Occasionally, they are the front carrier product fastened on your back. More structured in design, not foldable, designed for babies who can hold their head up, approximately 6 months old and usable up to approximately 40 lbs.

Examples:  Kelty Adventure Kid Carrier, Deuter KangaKid Backpack Carrier, Kozy Carrier,  Babyhawk Mei Tai , and Chicco Smart Support Backpack

Asian Baby Carriers: Sometimes referred to as Wrap Arounds, Asian style carriers are usually long strips of cloth which are wrapped in an elaborate design around your body, waist, shoulders, and baby and then tied into a knot. Many use a quilted material and colorful designs.  They can be wrapped so that baby is facing forward or back, and located on either your chest or back.

Examples:  Parents of Invention 5-1 Wrap, Moby Wrap and Baby K'Tan  

Sling Carriers:  There are many variations on the "sling" carrier.  They are wide swaths of cloth that are supported by a single shoulder strap. It can be made with padded, unpadded, quilted, un-quilted material and may or may not have rings, which are used to adjust and secure the material. They may have "rails" of padding along the two outer edges for more comfort.

Examples:  Maya Wrap, Baby Wrap Sling, HotSlings Stretch, Kangaroo Korner Fleece Pouch, Mama's Milk and Kalea Baby Ring Sling

Quick Analysis of Each Baby Carrier Type

Front Baby Carrier:

• Easy to get on and off, machine washable, distributes babies weight evenly, provides secure support, provides eye contact between baby and parent, fathers seem to prefer this type of carrier. Some newer styles allow you to switch from front carry to back pack carry.
• Downside: Usually not good for over 20 lbs, limited in the length of use, plain designs, only two positions (baby is either front or back), difficult to place child in car seat or crib while wearing

Back Carrier

• These are great for families on the go and for camping or hiking. Extended use available as the weight limit on these carriers often is 40 lbs. Men seem to prefer this type of carrier also. Many come with sunshade and kick stand for easy storage.
• Downside: Too large, too bulky, cannot be folded or place in diaper bag, very heavy, you can't see your child, not appropriate for infants or young babies, and often places child's head above yours and situates their hands where they can pull you hair.

Asian Style Carriers/Slings 

• Wonderful for newborns and very young children, variety of positions, distributes the baby's weight for more comfortable carrying by the parent, because of size of cloth it is truly one size fits all for women.
• Downside: Difficult to get the wrapping just right, no padding for places like shoulders, waist, or neck of parent, not able to put it on quickly, men do not like the style and some parents as well as children do not like the feeling of being "wrapped" up, finding it too confining.

Sling Carriers 

• Plenty of material to allow mom's to nurse discreetly, loose fitting, pouch and ring slings are easy to get on and off, good for all ages of infant and toddler, ring slings may have padding on edges making it more comfortable to wear and the wide material helps to distribute the weight of the child between the shoulder and hip.
• Downside: All that material can be bulky and take up too much space to be in a diaper bag or purse, can cause shoulder pain with heavier children positioned on your hip, can be warm because of all the layers of material, pouch slings are not easily adjustable, and children may quickly outgrow.

My personal favorites: The Baby Sling and The Front Baby Carrier 

• For the money, Infantino Eurorider, front baby carrier, but if you have the budget for it, the Baby Bjorn Carrier is the easiest to use, both for taking on and off as well as moving baby around. Since neither of these are easy to transport in a diaper bag because of their size and bulkiness, you may also enjoy the Maya Sling. This one is my favorite sling and travel carrier and many other people also enjoy because of the versatility, quality and variety of fabric designs. I love the lightweight fabric since we live in a warm weather climate as well as the variety of positions and the ability to use it even on toddlers. Not only that, but it combines the advantages of the sling, front carrier and Asian wrap around, without the confining layers and complicated wrapping.

Question to Consider for Purchasing Your Infant or Baby Sling/Carrier

Safety: Pediatrics for Parents issued an alert regarding baby carriers, stating that carriers, "may put the baby at an increased risk of dehydration and even heat exhaustion."  It warns that "the increased body warmth of the parent, exposure to the heat of the sun, and insulating characteristics of the carrier can lead to overheating of the baby. So watch your baby's temperature, be sure to choose materials that allow the flow of air (like cotton), and choose light colors, especially if you live in warm weather climates.

It is also important to make sure that your child is safely secured within the carrier; that the fastenings for the adult are sturdy.  Other important factors include facing your baby the correct way based on age and according to manufacturer's instructions.  Make sure if you have a head rest that it is completely folded down and will stay in place when your child is sleeping so as not to pose a suffocation hazard.

Comfort for parent:  Is the sling or baby carrier comfortable to you? Is the feel of the material soft?  Do you have padding, if needed, in the appropriate places to make sure you don't have any burns or bruising from too much pressure exerted from holding the baby in position within the carrier?  Does it leave you with an aching back or shoulders?  If you are uncomfortable, you won't be using it; wasting money and losing out on the wonderful advantages of finding and using just the right carrier for you.

Comfort for baby:  Is the material soft and soothing?  Is it engaging in color? Does it adjust, providing room for quickly growing babies?  Is there padding for a baby to lay his/her head on to rest?

Ease and Frequency of Use:  Will you be using the baby carrier or sling frequently?  Do you plan on using it for the mall, grocery shopping, walks in the park, and as a substitute for a stroller?  If so, you need to make sure that you choose a carrier or baby sling carrier that is easy for you to put on and take off. If you need someone to help you with it, but you plan on using it a great deal, you may want to continue searching for one you can not only put on, but position without assistance.  Can you imagine laying your child down in their crib, car seat or stroller easily when using the sling or carrier you are interested in?  If not, keep looking, because there is nothing more frustrating than to have the motion of your body and the sound of your heart beat put a fussy baby to sleep, only to awaken them while transferring them to the crib.

Machine Washable: Babies drool, spit up, throw up and their diapers can leak.  Mom's and Dad's can spill their Coke and even drop food crumbs on the carrier or sling, if holding baby while eating-and you never know; it may be the only hands free moments to eat in peace you have all day! So it is important that your carrier or sling is machine washable and dryer safe, or at the very least quick drying.  This way you can quickly remove, pre treat is needed, wash and dry, hopefully long before you will need it again.

Choice of Positions:  Do you need several positions for your baby to be comfortable?  Are they easily moved into another position for rest or feeding? Do you need to be able to move them from facing out to facing front frequently for nursing?  If so, then the sling or Asian sling may be the choice for you.  If you are bottle feeding, a sling or front carrier maybe the best choice allowing you easy access to hold the bottle and position baby for feeding.

Limited or Extended Use:  Do you plan on using the baby carrier from infant to toddler?  Many toddlers find the wraps and slings too confining.  However, infants love the infant sling carrers. Are you having more children and need to use the sling or carrier for both children? You may find, as I did, that my needs changed with each child and some slings or carriers worked better for one child but not the other. It may no longer fit correctly, it may not feel comfortable, or it may not position the baby comfortably.  Each child is different and those differences need to be considered when purchasing your carrier. You may find it best to start with one type of carrier and then change with the needs of your child.

Cost of Slings and Baby Carriers: Front carriers are usually the least expensive and, in my case, used for the longest period of time.  They may range in price from $20.00-$90.00.  Backpack carriers are the most expensive of all carriers, at prices ranging from $90.00--$200.00. Asian slings, with the variety of patterns and material available range in price from $32.00-$95.00 and Sling carriers are approximately $35.00-$100.00 depending on the material, accessories and pattern of material.

Tips for Purchasing Your Baby Carrier or Baby Sling

• Do your research. Ask your friends and family which carrier or sling they use. Do they like it? Do they wish it had some other features? Try it on for size, with their child in it to see what it will feel like for you.
• Do more research.Wander up and down the aisles of Wal-Mart, Target, and Babies R Us. While you are there, look at the baby carriers available to you and get an idea of how much they will cost. Keep a notebook with styles you like or don't like and compare costs online and in the store. Read product reviews and find out which ones people like or dislike.
• Go shopping for real and take a baby doll with you. With research in hand and a heavy weight baby doll in your purse it's time to try them on. Take a friend, husband, mother or significant other with you. Try as many on as you can, place the baby doll in the carrier, and see how each of them feels. This will give you a better idea of what you are willing to do and wear when it comes to baby carriers.
• Indicate on your registry to keep a "gift receipt" for this item. Carriers and slings are so individualized, the one you receive as a gift may not be the one you want. With a gift receipt no one's feelings are hurt and you can go find the one that does work for you and have the joy of the gift you received.

Baby carriers are one of the truly essential items for busy parents.  Not only can parents, both mother and father, bond, feed and share affection with their baby from infant from toddler, but they can also have the opportunity to still hold the hand of their older child; hold the leash for the dog and take him for a walk; or have their hands free to do the million other things they need to get done.  Most importantly, your baby will feel the warmth of your love, affection and closeness.