Baby Carrier

How to Choose a Baby Carrier

By B Summoy

There are many different baby carriers on the market and choosing the right one can be daunting, especially given the wide variety of baby carrier styles available. This article will introduce four of the most important aspects to consider when choosing a baby carrier. These aspects are the age of the baby, the preferred carrying position, the activities you wish participate in and the amount of adjustability the baby carrier offers.

Age of baby

The first question to ask is how old or, in some cases, how big is your baby? This is an important consideration when choosing a secure and comfortable carrier for both you and your baby. It is widely accepted that newborn babies need to be close to their parents but you should check that the carrier you choose is suitable for newborn babies. In particular, it is very important that the carrier correctly supports the baby's neck and back. Some carriers are not suitable for newborn babies, such as some of the backpack style carriers. On the other hand, some baby carriers are good for newborns but older babies often find them too restrictive.

Preferred Carrying Position

There are numerous positions for carrying a baby. For example, the baby could be lying down or semi-reclining on your front or it can be upright on your back. If you are breastfeeding and you want to be able to feed your baby on the go, you might prefer a sling which will hold your baby in flat position. Do you have hip or back problems? Does the carrier position the baby's weight over one shoulder or over both shoulders? Even weight distribution is key factor in comfort. A carrier that spreads the weight evenly across your body will provide more support for your back and front. A one-shoulder carrier may offer flexibility and hands free operation but a front or backpack carrier distributes weight evenly over the body. Does the carrier let the baby be worn in many different positions? It is important to buy a baby carrier that can be worn in numerous different positions. As the baby grows it will soon get bored of seeing the world from one position all the time.

Activities

Are you an outdoorsy parent who needs a rugged baby carrier? Carriers will leave your hands free whilst getting things done. They also offer a hassle-free way of navigating shops, parks and public transport. Backpacks are a popular choice for the more active parent and are particularly popular with dads. If you travel a lot, choose a compact, frameless baby carrier that can be stowed away easily, for example in a diaper bag. If you are quite active you may need to consider how long the baby carrier will last or how it will cope in both warm and cold weather conditions.

Adjustability Requirements

It is also important to consider which adults will be using the baby carrier. If parents share the baby carrying duties, there could be a problem if both parents are of very different body shapes. This is where adjustability is all important. Some carriers can adjust to accommodate many different sizes. Others have more generalized sizing options such as small, medium or large. You may need to look for a highly adjustable carrier or it could be that you need to buy a different baby carrier for each parent. You may also need to determine whether it is possible to easily adjust the carrier so that the weight is evenly distributed on different parts of your body. You should also determine if the baby carrier is hard or easy to put on.

The best way to buy a baby carrier is to try several on, preferably with your own baby inside. You can then decide which is the most comfortable and secure for you and your baby. Ask the opinion of other parents and see which baby carrier they prefer. Ask them what they like or do not like about the baby carriers they use. Many parents end up using more than one type of baby carrier. Think about the activities you want to do while carrying your baby and how the carrier will need to adjust to different situations.

B. Summoy writes consumer product reviews and provides advice and tips for smart shopping. She regularly writes interesting articles on baby products.