Choose the Right Baby Carrier
A Guide to Baby Bjorn, Ergo, Sling Carriers, Backpack Carriers
Sep 17, 2007
Baby carriers have become a staple of on-the-go parenthood. Place your infant or toddler in a simple sling carrier or in a more elaborate front- or backpack carrier and get a safe, secure environment for your baby while you gain hands-free mobility.
Infant carriers come in a variety of styles and price tags. Follow this guide to find the baby carrier that fits your budget as well as the personality of you and your baby.
Baby slings
Designed after fabric pouches used in non-Western countries to keep an infant in close contact with his or her mother, baby slings offer a easy, natural way to carry your baby. Dr. William Sears, author of The Baby Book (Little, Brown and Company, revised edition, March 2003), popularized the use of the baby sling in the U.S. with his enthusiastic support of “babywearing.” Sears sells an adjustable sling at his Searstore that can fit both a 5-foot-tall mother and a 6-foot father. To use this sling, parents drape it over the shoulder and adjust the shoulder strap through the plastic ring. A padded pouch keeps tiny infants snug in a prone position. As the child ages, he or she can sit up in front or on the wearer’s hip. The Dr. Sears Sling fits babies up to 30 pounds. Cost: $39.95, shipping varies with UPS.
Hip mommas might aim for the sleeker, more fashionable, easy-to-use design of the New Native Baby Carrier. Favored by celebrities (and modeled by Cindy Crawford on television), the New Native carrier is a simple, streamlined pocket with a 10-inch wide shoulder strap. Since this carrier features no extra buckles or straps, parents must purchase a sling that fits their size. That means Mom and Dad might each need to purchase a separate New Native sling. Baby can lie or sit in the front, hip or back with this carrier. Prices start at $44.95, plus $7.25 shipping and handling.
Baby Bjorn Carrier
The comfy, adjustable Baby Bjorn carrier lets parents tote their 8- to 21-pound child. The Baby Bjorn carrier puts baby on the wearer’s chest and supports the weight with padded straps that cross in the back. Start the child facing you in the carrier and then switch to an outward facing position as the child can hold up his or her head. Available in a variety of colors and adjustable for any sized parent, the Baby Bjorn is available from retailers such as Amazon, which sells the basic carrier in midnight blue for $65.09 on sale. The Baby Bjorn carrier is also eligible for Amazon's Super Saver Free Shipping.
Ergo Baby Carrier
Like a sling, the versatile Ergo Baby Carrier allows parents to carry their child on the front, side and back, but with the extra support of backpack-style shoulder straps. The baby alsorides in a seated position in this carrier, rather than hanging from his or her crotch, resulting in what the Ergo developers say is a more healthy position for the hips, thighs and spine. This adjustable carrier also features a substantial hip strap for the wearer, which adds support and takes some stress off Mom and Dad’s back. Purchase the carrier at Ergo’s Web site for $92 plus $13.05 shipping.
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