How to Choose the Best Baby Carrier: for Boy & Girl, Newborn & Toddler (LittleLife)

Carriers are helpful, safe and fun equipment for you and your child. A carrier is useful because the baby can be near his/her mother from the start. After the baby gets a bit stronger and can hold its head on its own, a carrier is a fun, easy and safe way for a baby to see and explore the world. Also, the great advantage for the person who is wearing a carrier is that his/hers hands are free to run other chores. 

There are 5 types of carriers:

1. Wraps
2. Slings
3. Mei Tai
4. Unframed backpacks (Soft structured carriers)
5. Framed backpacks

Wraps

A wrap is a one-piece of fabric 4 meters (157in) long and 70cm (27in) wide. 

A wrap can be:

• Woven - most suitable for newborns and children not heavier than 15kg (33lbs)
• Stretchy - good for babies up to 8kg (17pounds)
• Hybrid - for toddlers and small children not weighing over 15kg (33lbs)

Depending on the type of material, a wrap can be a good choice for a newborn, a toddler or a small child. If it is tied up properly, the baby is in the right and safe position. 

The technique of tying up a wrap can be a little difficult to learn, but with a little practice, you will learn a lot of fun ways to wear a wrap. You can carry your child in the front, hip and on the back of your body.

Slings

 (picture on the right: ring sling; picture on the left: pouch sling)

A sling is a carrier made out of a wide piece of fabric that is worn on one shoulder. There are 2 types of slings:

• Ring slings- made out of two meters (78 in) long piece of fabric, with two rings on one side and a tail on the other that goes through the rings. A ring sling is good option for newborns and toddlers weighing up to 10kg (about 22lbs). It can be shared between adults and it is very easy to tie up.
• A pouch sling is a tube made out of fabric that is also worn on one shoulder. This sling must be fitted to the person that is carrying a child so they can not be shared. They are inexpensive, but not so secure because of a lack of adjustment. Like ring slings, pouch slings can be a good option for newborns and childern not weighing over 10kg (about 22lbs).

Mei Tai

Mei Tai is a traditional Asian carrier, which is adapted for the 21st century. It has two longer straps that go around the shoulders and two shorter straps that go around the waist. Because of these straps, Mei Tai can be shared between adults. It is very easy to tie up. 

This carrier is not suitable for newborns, because the child seat can not provide a proper carrying position for the baby. It is recommended for babies older that 6 months (babies that can hold their head and sit on their own) and children until they reach 15kg (33lbs).

Unframed backpacks (Soft structured carriers)

Unframed backpacks are most commonly used carriers. They are made out of durable fabrics. Soft structured carriers have adjustable and padded shoulder straps for additional comfort for an adult and adjustable waist or hip belt for lumbar support. Every carrier has buckles and strap adjusters for extra comfort and safety both for the person who is carrying a child and for a child as well.

Soft structured carriers are made to fit babies older than 6 months. Even though some manufacturers claim that their carriers are safe for new born babies, you need to check if a carrier has a cushion which can be inserted in the child seat and a head support so a newborn can be in a safe and proper position. Most of these carriers are suitable for toddlers and children not weighing over 20kg (45lbs). 

Framed backpacks

Framed backpacks are made out of durable, lightweight and waterproof materials with a frame made out of aluminum or aluminum alloy. These backpacks have adjustable and padded shoulder straps and an adjustable waist or hip belt, and together with the frame, they distribute weight evenly through the shoulders, hips and back of the person who is carrying a child.

Most of the framed backpacks have adjustable straps on the child seat, so the child is in a safe position. Also, as your child grows, you can adapt the back of the seat with those traps. 

These backpacks are made for specific outdoor activities, like hiking, climbing, traveling but they are also used a lot for shopping and going through the city rush. Framed backpacks can be worn by several people because of adjustable shoulder and waist straps.