Choosing the Right Baby Carrier(s) for your family
Choosing a carrier can feel like a daunting task with SO many carriers on the market and each with different features it can become overwhelming for sure! When I am working with clients to help them decide which carriers they might like, I have a few tips and questions I like to ask to help them decide. I am sharing those here to help get you started on your own babywearing journey!
You will need more than one
From the get-go, I like to just be real honest. It is HIGHLY unlikely that you will use one carrier only from the time baby is born until they are toddlers. A week old baby is very different from a three month old baby, who is very different from a six month old baby, who is very different from a year old baby.
Despite what they may say, very few carriers will actually work from birth into the toddler years (this is true for probably 99% of baby gear, it’s annoying, but true). So just know you will likely have to buy at least two carriers at some point. Not at once, and no, you don’t neeeeeeed 12 milllllion. Do what works for you and your family!
It is worth noting that if multiple caregivers are going to be wearing baby, they may each have different opinions on what may work best for them. For instance, we had two buckle carriers for my son because I am barely squeaking in at 5ft tall and my husband is 6ft, we have very different bodies. It was clear that having two different carriers made it easier for each of us to wear our children.
How big is the baby/child you will be wearing?
Carriers have a size range, but some carriers shine when baby is smaller while other carriers shine when they are a bit bigger. Other carriers can be used for many stages but may need some modifications. Finally, there are Toddler/preschool specific ones as well.
What developmental milestones has your child met?
Is your baby still really little with not a lot of head control? Are they sitting unassisted and ready for a back carry?
Where will you be using the carrier?
At home to chase other kids? Doing chores? Traveling? Hiking? Hanging on the couch watching movies while they are tiny? The most important thing is to be honest with yourself.
Budget
You do NOT need to spend $600 million on a baby carrier. Period. I said it. I usually suggest my families use a smaller budget to get a carrier for the very early days (stretchy wrap or Ergo Embrace or similar) and maybe spend a little more for a carrier they will use once baby is a little bit bigger.
Also, hand me down and second hand carriers can be a fantastic option! Some of them did not work well for the original owner and are basically new. Others have been loved and are already “broken in” for you so they come to you soft and easy to use. Center For Babywearing Studies has a great blog post on knowing what to look for when it comes to second hand carriers. https://www.cbws.org/blog/secondhand-carriers-guide-for-babywearing-education If you purchase or are given a previously loved baby carrier be sure to check out their manufacturer instructions or seek help from a babywearing educator/consultant if you have any questions about use.
Climate - where do you live?
Being in and raising kids and hiking a lot in Central Texas means that I am ALWAYS thinking about overheating. Thus I personally preferred a carrier that was lighter weight and airy. Think lighter weight fabrics like linen, cooling panels, less encompassing body panels etc. If you are from a climate that is cooler most of the year, those things may be less important to you, though you may want to look at babywearing jackets/inserts.
Okay Lori, I am along for the ride, but, what carriers are actually good for what situations??? How do I decide what is right for me and my family?
That is why you are here afterall, right? Below is my basic overview on each carrier type and why I love (or don’t love it) for different situations. Note, this is my own opinion and while I try to be unbiased by my own wearing experiences, this list is not the end all be all. It is a starting point to help you choose.
Buckle Carrier
(also known as Soft Structured Carriers)
Two shoulder straps and waist band that buckle. Baby sits in a body panel
Best for 4+ months (see note below on exceptions) and also available in toddler/preschool sizes.
Usually can be worn on the front and back (check the manufacturer for your carrier!) sometimes the hip.
Some come in lighter weight or heavier fabrics for different climates
Often have pockets built in for a little storage on the go
Great for:
Getting things done
Being outside (hiking, Theme Parks, festivals etc)
The two shoulders and waist band distribute baby’s weight well for wearing for longer periods
Cons: -
Not usually great for smaller babies, they just do not support their bodies well
Have to adjust between caregivers if they are not the same size (not a super big deal, but can be annoying with a grumpy baby)
Each brand is a bit different and thus fit a bit different
Sometimes bulky to carry around
NOTE ON NEWBORNS: I normally do not mention carrier brands by name because it is important to me that folks try carriers they are drawn to. I am making an exception here because I have had so many clients have success with it - the Ergo Embrace has turned out to be a game-changer for several of them for wearing their smaller infants.
Mei Dah
Two shoulder straps and a waistband that tie. Baby sits in a body panel
Best for 3+ mo though can sometimes be adjusted to fit smaller infants, toddler/preschool sizes sometimes available
Can be worn on the front, hip, and back, and higher back carry
Available in lighter weight fabrics for warmer climates
Great for:
Easy swaps between caregivers as there is little to no adjustments between
Getting things done, the two shoulders and waistband distribute baby’s weight well
On The Go - folds up pretty small usually (it’s my personal favorite carrier for zoos!)
I personally loved the mei dai during pregnancy because I did not like anything around my lower waist and could tie this above for a back carry.
Cons:
The long straps can sometimes be annoying
Sometimes I miss a more structured waistband?
Ring Sling
A long piece of non-stretchy fabric with two rings on one end
One shouldered carrier (weight is distributed across the body by capping the shoulder and spreading it wide across the wearer’s back)
Best for Newborn+ (I LOVE these carriers for that 7-12 month independent era where they want up and then down, and up and down, and then up and then down haha)
Baby is worn in a front upright carry, hip carry and sometimes in a back carry
Available in lovely light-weight fabrics good for warmer climates, only one layer of fabric
Great for:
Those early days with lots of snuggles
Traveling (packs light and doubles as light blanket or nursing cover)
It can easily be adjusted to fit a three week old or a three year old (Ask me how I know)
Quick trips in and out - I loved mine for school pick up of older sibblings
As noted above, for those times when baby wants up and down often.
Cons:
Can take some practice to feel confident using
One shouldered can sometimes feel less comfortable for longer periods for some folks
Stretchy Wrap
Long Piece of stretchy fabric
Two shouldered carry
Best for Newborn & Early days
Baby is worn in a front carry, sometimes off-centered front carry
Chose a lighter weight one if you live in a warmer climate, they can get warm
Great for:
Those early days with lots of snuggles, but also easy to get baby in and out of
Quick trips out with a newborn- I’d put it on before leaving the house and then would pop baby in when we got to the store
Skin to skin - while most carriers can help with that, the stretchy wrap is a personal fav for it
Cons:
Can take some practice to feel confident with
Stops feeling as cozy once baby gets moving (for some this is 3 months, for others 9 months, every baby is different)
Most of the tightening has to be done before putting baby into the carrier
Woven Wraps
Long pieces of fabric, not stretchy. Come in varying lengths.
Absolutely the most versatile carrier, can be worn two shouldered or one shouldered
Best for Newborn+ all the way up to preschool years
Baby can be worn in front, back, or hip depending on carry used
Choose a lighter weight fiber content for warmer climates
Come in a colors, prints, and fibers wide variety of beautiful
Great for:
Folks wanting a personalized fit
Wearing different sized kids
People who love trying new things - there are SO MANY different ways to wear babies in woven wrap
Cons:
Takes some practice to get the hang of how the fabric moves to get a good fit
Some folks do not like having that much fabric when out and about for errands.
May take trial and error to find carries that work for you and your little
Choosing the right carrier for your family is really about being honest with yourself about your life and being flexible to change it up if the one you chose didn’t go as planned. I thought woven wraps would be too hot for Central Texas and too complicated for my ADHD - but turns out the natural fibers kept us cool and the strength of the fabric kept my velociraptor babies contained when few other things would.
I created the below chart as a quick reference guide, HOWEVER, there are so many options out there this just scratches the surface and is a generalized glace to help get you started.
