Let me start with: No hate for the Baby Bjorn-ers! It just did not work for me, I needed something that could be worn comfortably for extended periods of time as I brought my baby to work with me. In my pursuit of the perfect carrier, I wound up trying, loving and hating different things. I learned you should never take one opinion of something as the end-all-be-all. What works for you may not work for me or my friend. The following is a very quick overview of different carrier styles that I have tried and would recommend to carry your baby. There has been a huge influx of manufacturers in the market recently , many families don’t realize the insane amount of options available to them outside of what is carried at their local big box store.
Ring Sling
A go-to in my carrying journey from newborn to toddlerhood! A slight learning curve to getting a good fit, but well worth it when you can keep it in the diaper bag and shop hands free with a clingy baby. There are many options on the market from linen to cotton gauze to woven jacquard material, each has different pros and cons.
Pouch Sling
Minimalist momma’s carrier; a simple piece of fabric that creates a pouch, can be used from newborns to toddlers. The downside here is the fit must be near-perfect for mom to be comfy and baby safe. The size you need will likely change as baby grows but this option is very affordable or if you have seamstress skills, there are many tutorials available online that go into detail about getting a good fit.
Stretch Wrap
A bunch a stretchy fabric that you wrap around yourself and pop baby in and out of. There are many brands on the market, go for bamboo if you are looking for soft and breathable. Most mom’s these days throw a Moby on the registry and throw it in the closet after receiving one at the shower. Stick with it! Once you learn your favorite 1-of-3 ways to wear (NEVER ON YOUR BACK!) you will be popping baby in and out and enjoying your hands free newborn in no time!
Woven Wrap
The most versatile of carriers; front, hip and back carries from newborn to toddler. Ranging in size from 2.7m (102”) to 5.6m (220”) there are 10’s maybe even 100+ tying variations a momma can try. My favorite for the long haul, if you are down for the {fun!} challenge of learning how to place and secure baby and get everything high and tight for safe wearing. Often seen as collector items, there is also some fun there; scoring limited releases or curating your dream stash (and yes, 1 counts as a stash).
Soft Structure Carrier
Probably the most commonly seen carrier; readily available at your local big-box store, easy to use and very dad-friendly. There are so many brands on the market these days: Ergo, Tula, Infantino, Lillebaby, Babyhawk, ABC Carriers, Gracie and Sam, the list literally goes on and on. With many fit options and different features, it can take a bit of work to find the one that you fits you most comfortably. I recommend starting with a carrier that has a wide base for baby to be ergonomically seated. While narrow-based soft structure carriers do not (I repeat DO NOT) cause hip dysplasia, the wearer may find something that distributes babe’s weight more evenly to be more comfortable for extended wearing periods.
Onbu (Onbuhimo)
You had me at “no muffin top!” Similar to a soft structure carrier, this modern version of a traditional Asian-style carrier holds baby like a ruck pack on your front or back. Suitable for bigger babies that can sit unassisted; the waistbelt-free carrier is a bump-friendly option for pregnant mommas that want quick ups!
The best way to “try before you buy” is by attending a Rochester and SE Minnesota Babywearers Meet Up. We have an active, helpful community and an ever-growing lending library. You can find reviews of carriers that pass through my personal stash, and other babywearing related content here.
Keep Calm and Wear All the Babies!
