subject: Baby Carrier - Choosing The Right One [print this page] The advantages of using a baby carrier make the decision of whether you should buy one a fairly simple one - you definitely should! However, once that decision has been made it is necessary to familiarize yourself with what features are going to make the best carrier for you. There are many different types of carriers available such as baby slings, front carriers, back carriers, baby pouches and wrap carriers and it can make choosing which one to buy one pretty confusing. So the best way to find which baby carrier is right for you is to first determine what purposes you want it for, and how and when you want to use it.
When deciding on which baby carrier you want to buy, you first must consider when and how you would like to use it. Do you want to carry your baby when you are out shopping or do you want to carry your baby for most of the day and while you are working around the house? Would you like to continue carrying your child past the first 6 months or only when your baby is a newborn and only while you breastfeed. Although your choices and circumstances may change along the way, determining how you will use your baby carrier will help you make the best choice when you buy and will save you lots of time and money as you won't be trying and buying different ones as your needs change. To help you determine which carrier is right for you which statement best represents you? 1 - I want to just use a baby carrier while I breastfeed and hold my baby around the home and on short trips while he or she is young, 2 - I am very active and want to carry my baby as often as possible when I am outside and doing errands, or 3- My partner and I believe in carrying our baby as often as possible and always want him or her close to us for as long as possible.
A sling or pouch will be the best baby carrier for use during breastfeeding or just carrying the baby around the house. This type of carrier is great for newborns because of the womb like surrounding it provides the baby with and the closeness to your heartbeat and breathe that can be felt by the baby. This can be reassuring to the baby and increase the safeness it feels. However, the sling or pouch is only suited for younger babies and not for bigger babies or toddlers due to the increased weight it puts on your shoulder. They are very portable because they can easily be folded up and packed away. It provides great support while you breastfeed due to the natural cradle like shape, this can be a relief for your arms. They also can come with added material for increased privacy for breastfeeding.
If you don't want the trouble of a stroller but still want to be an active parent who is out and about doing errands, then the best option for you is the baby carrier that functions as a front and back carrier. Some stand out companies with this type of carrier are Infantino, Beco, Baby Bjorn and Snugli. These types of carrier are good from newborn up to about 12kg, usually people will opt for a front carrier position with a newborn and on the back when the child is older. When on your back it will free up your hands more and make you more functional. This type of carrier will have a stronger shape as it gives more ergonomic support and with the two shoulder straps it provides a balanced weight distribution. Key things to look for to make it even easier for you are snap clasps and straps so you can easily take your baby in and out.
Parents wanting to carry their baby as much as possible, despite working should consider the Ergo Baby Carrier. This type of carrier has the flexibility to accommodate a child of growing sizes and the ability to change for a different size parent to also carry. It will allow three carry positions of front, back and side options. It has added wide straps for a bigger baby and great hip support for sustained periods of carrying. You can start right away in the infant stages with a handy infant insert. For the parent looking to carry their child as much as possible and still fulfill all their other obligations and get on with a busy day, a carrier that is comfortable for both you and the child is a must and the baby on the back option is also mandatory.
There is no question that carrying your baby close to you is beneficial for the baby and rewarding for you. Deciding that is the easy part, figuring out which baby carrier to buy is the hard part. Figure out your key questions of when and how will I use this carrier can go a long way to making the decision a lot easier. For maximum breast feeding comfort go for a sling or pouch, these are more suited to younger babies. Back and front carriers are a flexible option for busy parents. Those looking for the best of both worlds you can't go wrong with the Ergo Baby Carrier which can see you from infancy to a larger sized bub. Now the next choice won't be so hard, which color did you want?
