There’s nothing more important than the safety of your baby while you’re out and about. If you’re lucky, you’ll also find an option that won’t sabotage your lower back in your old age.
Fear not. Baby carrier types range from the questionable varieties in discount stores to the amazing brands that keep you needing to visit a chiropractor.
Take a look at this guide to choosing the right baby carrier for you.
Baby Carrier Types
Let’s be clear. Baby carriers are not just for moms. Because men and women have different anatomies, they’ll need different baby carrier types.
Here’s a way to navigate through the dozens of products on the market so both you and your spouse get the most comfort out of your baby carrier. Take a look at these baby carriers to narrow down your search.
Buckle Carrier
Classic style baby carriers are all about using your upper body strength to support the baby. If you’re a strong mama, you’ll be pleased to know your pushups are coming in handy while using a soft structured carrier.
Male caregivers can utilize their upper body strength to go long hours with the baby in tow. Structured soft carriers are intended to be worn on the front while the baby is young.
There are versions that allow you to carry the baby on the back but these should be used with caution. Babies with busy fingers can find their fingers in an actual jam if you’re not careful.
The safest option for this style carrier is to keep the baby on the front where you can see any mishaps before they happen. These straps are always adjustable to account for various heights and body types.
The extent to which they can adjust depends on the quality of the carrier. Expect fewer adjustment options with a cheaper carrier than you would with top brands.
Avoid putting a newborn into one of these carriers until they have neck control. These carriers don’t come with any neck support for infants.
Choose this carrier if you’re looking for a universal option for both you and your spouse. It’ll be the most flexible baby carrier you’ll find on the market.
For this reason, these carriers can also be somewhat more costly.
Fabric Wrap
Breastfeeding moms are often fans of the fabric sling since it allows them to discreetly nurse their babies in public. These baby carriers are perfect for newborns because they don’t require any neck support.
A mother can carry her baby horizontally or at an angle while the baby sleeps or plays. The baby enjoys this type of carrier because the mother or father’s heartbeat is audible from the sling.
Chubby babies beware. This sling isn’t the best option for larger newborns and infants.
You’ll have trouble keeping the wrap in place unless you’re a skilled fabric artist like many South African mothers. Many American moms are used to having the carrier do all the work and rightly so.
Once your baby moves up in weight, upgrade your carrier so the baby can see more of the world as you travel. Still, the main benefit of sling carriers is price and convenience.
This carrier is basically a piece of fabric with a ring on it. You won’t pay top dollar for it and it can pretty much fit anywhere you need it to.
Once you’re done using it as a baby carrier, some versions also make an amazing bathing suit cover-up for the beach. The downside to this carrier is that your baby will probably only use it for a limited time.
It’s also a chore to use on your back after a certain amount of time. Men might not enjoy the distribution of weight across their bodies as the design assumes a wider hip area.
Backpack Carrier
You may have noticed the backpack carrier while out hiking. It’s one of the best baby carrier options for families looking for carrier options for larger babies and toddlers.
This option is only available to babies who are crawling or at least sitting up on their own. It sits up high so babies don’t have the full reach of items at eye level that could pose a danger.
Backpack carriers are some of the best-designed baby carriers on the market. You can walk for hours and hours without putting a strain on your back.
The design is gender agnostic so it doesn’t matter who’s carrying the baby. You can take the baby on and off your back with little effort using a backpack carrier.
The main downside to this carrier is that its big and bulky. No parent would go through the trouble of mounting the large contraption on their backs while grocery shopping.
You also can’t stand up or sit down easily using this carrier. It’s an event both putting it on and taking it off. You’ll need a second set of hands which makes it a bad choice for solo hikers.
Leave the backpack carrier as a go-to for long hikes when you’re with a group. It’s a costly option but is worth the investment because of how well you can protect your back and your baby at the same time.
Baby Carrier Cost
You can search the world for baby carrier types that offer both great design and affordability and you’ll likely find tons of options. Baby carriers are one of the most popular products parents use before babies start walking.
But too many options usually causes decision making fatigue. Stick to tried and true baby carrier types to avoid experimenting at the expense of your baby’s comfort.
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