The guide to finding the best baby carrier for you

Whilst prams are usually the number one baby item parents spend hours deliberating over, a baby carrier usually comes in at number two on the list.  Wraps, slings, structured carriers, front carrying, back carrying…. babywearing can be a little overwhelming!

Fear not, we’ve put together a handy guide to help you to find the right baby carrier for you.  

Why baby carry?

Baby carrying keeps your little one warm and close to you, so babies are usually big fans of travelling around this way.  It can also give you some precious hands free time so you’re able to multitask, or even finally manage to have a sip of that drink you made yourself a few hours ago!  

Slings or structured carriers?

There are two main types of baby carriers; wraps/slings and structured baby carriers.  Wraps/slings involve using a piece of material which is wrapped around you and your baby to secure them into a comfortable carrying position.  Structured baby carriers, as the name suggests, have more of a fixed structure, with straps and buckles which are fastened and adjusted with your baby in position.  

When choosing between a wrap/sling or a structured baby carrier it’s very much a personal preference.  Some find wrapping the slings daunting (although you do get used to this fairly quickly) and feel more confident with buckles and straps, whereas others prefer the soft material of the wraps and the more natural feel they have. 

As these are items that you wear (and we all come in different shapes and sizes), we recommend going into a shop or to a baby sling library (look up your closest branch) to try a few different brands out before you buy.  It’d be easy to list my favourites, but from experience this is completely different to other people; there’s no right and wrong, just what feels best for you!

A few things to consider:

  • Climate - if you’ll be doing lots of baby carrying in the heat then you might want to try the more breathable mesh versions of the baby carriers

  • Front or back carrying? - for the first 6 months your baby should be carried in the front facing position, after then you can go for whichever position you and your baby like best

  • Head support - until your baby is able to support the weight of their own head, they must be supported by the wrap or carrier

  • Newborn insert - most structured baby carriers can now be used from birth, but some older versions require a newborn insert, so if you’re buying a used item just check if this is needed

  • Check the minimum weight - check the minimum weight requirement for structured carriers, if you have a little one who is lighter than this you should wait until they're big enough, or use a sling until this time

  • Check the maximum weight - if you intend to use a carrier into the toddler years and beyond then the max weight is important (there are some lovely carriers which are specifically for the first 12 months)

Safety

As with any baby items it's important to ensure they’re used safely to reduce any risks to your little one.  Whether you use a sling or baby carrier, follow the simple TICKS checklist below to avoid obstructing babies’ airways and reduce the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death):

  • Tight

  • In view at all times

  • Close enough to kiss

  • Keep chin off the chest

  • Supported back

The sling/wrap

Baby slings are strips of fabric worn across your front or back and secured over your shoulder and around your waist.  Once you get the hang of the wrap you’ll be popping them on in no time!

Best for: super soft fabrics to wrap your little one in and have them close to you

The hybrid carrier

If you’re looking for the lovely soft feel of a sling but the thought of wrapping and tying is a bit daunting then this could be the option for you.  They’re made of a cosy stretchy fabric which has holes for your baby’s legs, shoulder straps for you, and are secured using buckles or ties; they combine the closeness and soft feel of a wrap with the ease of use of a carrier. They often lack the lumbar support and padded shoulder straps of the structured carriers, so may not be as comfortable for older toddlers.  They tend to have a lower max weight limit so are usually perfect for the first 12 months only.

Best for: having baby close to you with a close to nature feel, but with easy fastenings

 

The structured carrier

Structured baby carriers have a body of durable material specifically designed for your baby and secured using buckles and clips.   Most of these baby carriers are completely adjustable for you (shoulder straps, lumbar support) and your baby (height, leg, neck and head support).  They tend to be straightforward to put on and allow your baby to be carried in a number of different positions (Front, hip, back etc).  As they are so adjustable they can be tweaked to fit partners/family/friends too.  That being said, as mentioned earlier we are all different so please do go and try them on first to get a feel for what you like.

Best for: adjustability, grows with your baby, more structured so some feel more confident, ease of fastening

*The best for active parents: look for structured carriers with additional lumbar support to make carrying for longer periods of time a breeze; when your baby is 6 months old you might want to transition into a backpack style carrier for hiking etc, but a structured carrier is perfect until then

We hope this helps to get you on the right track and find the best carrier for you :)


 
 
Alice Lewin