Things to Consider When Finding the Right Carrier To Wear Your Baby

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A true pioneer in an emerging industry, Melissa Moog is one of America’s original baby planners as founder of Itsabelly, a national baby planning service guiding new and expectant parents through the process of parenthood. Melissa is also the leading authority and voice for baby planning with an eco-twist, and THE first baby planning business to secure Green America’s seal of approval. She also reviews baby products and shares parenting tips on her Itsabelly blog.

I recently did a Baby Wearing TV segment offering tips to parents on how to choose a carrier. I was fortunate to be able to work with a baby carrier expert, Laurel of Bella Stella Baby http://www.bellastellababy.com/ who shared her valuable tips on baby wearing. In this post we’ve combined our information to give you a short and sweet summary of what to consider.

Please note that with the recent recall of Infantino sling carriers it’s vital that you understand how to wear your baby properly. Click here to see CPSC warning about slings.

Click here for sling safety tips check out Juvenile Products Manufacturing Association (JPMA).

If you have a baby wearing experience, tip or product you loved when carrying your baby please share it here!

Types of Carriers for Baby Wearing:

  1. Wraps: Moby Wrap - Good for: newborns preemies, babies up to 20 pounds. Inexpensive, can hold a baby in every position imaginable, not as hard as it looks. The ultimate in comfort. Excellent for transitioning into new-motherhood. Wraps are the best option for someone with back problems. The biggest advantage is that you can fully spread the fabric out to fully distribute the weight of your babe across your entire upper body.

  2. Pouches: Sprout Pouch - Good For: Babies through toddlers and quick jaunts in and out of stores etc. Lightweight and compact. They easily slip into a diaper bag when baby is not being worn. Dads often prefer the look of a pouch to a ring sling. Can be less expensive & a short learning curve.

  3. Structured Carrier: Ergo Carrier - Good for: Bigger children (4 months and up) although infant inserts on models like the Ergo and the Beco make them useful (if not ideal) from day one. Long trips, all day carrying and hikes. It is like a backpack that carries the baby either on your front or on your back. It fully supports the baby (not by the crotch as some carriers do - it holds him in a sitting position) so that both your hands are free . The Ergo carrier has a simple design and is easy to put on and put the baby into.

Things to consider When Finding the Best Carrier:

  1. How old is your baby?
  2. What position/s do you prefer to use when you carry your baby?
  3. Do you have any physical problems that could restrict your choice?
  4. What activities will you use the babycarrier for?
  5. What type of babycarrier suits your personality?
  6. What extremes of climate will you need to cope with?

Other things to keep in mind when trying on slings, pouches, and other carriers:

Keep an open mind

I often hear from parents “I don’t want that long thingy that you have to tie- I know I won’t be able to do it.” Just for fun, we have them try it on, and due to the comfort, ease of use (really!), versatility and great price, the “long thingy” almost always goes home.

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March 30, 2010
Note: This Perspectives Blog post is written by a Guest Blogger of DrGreene.com and is provided in order to offer a variety of thoughtful points of view. The opinions expressed on this Perspectives Blog post do not reflect the opinions of Dr. Greene or DrGreene.com. As such, Dr. Greene and DrGreene.com are not responsible for the accuracy of the information supplied. This post is used under Creative Commons License CC BY-ND 3.0.