With all the baby carriers out there, how do you go about choosing the right one? The reality is there is no ONE best carrier. Finding that favorite one that you most often reach for sometimes requires a fair bit of trial and error. Ultimately, it will be the one that combines just the right combination of functionality and stylishness to suit YOU.
There are four main types of baby carriers. Babywearing aficionados are often faithful to one type over all others, but each type has its pros and cons. Many babywearers find, as I do, that they prefer having two or three different types of carriers on hand -- for different stages of baby's growth as well as different carrying situations. I've tried pretty much every type of carrier there is -- here's the scoop:
Pouch Sling
A pouch sling is a tube of fabric with an open edge and a seam in the middle that creates a deep seat for the baby. They are worn over one shoulder and can be used for front, back and hip carries -- distributing the weight across your shoulder so there's no single point of strain. Pouches have no rings, snaps, buckles or ties and are the easiest carrier to learn to use -- very "newbie" friendly! Pouches are sized to be fitted to the wearer and can be made from a variety of fabrics such as stretch cottons or fleece. They fold up nice and small so it's easy to always have one with you.
For a newborn, I would absolutely not be without my pouch sling. The cradle hold allows the baby to be curled up against your body, closely mimicking the womb environment -- very comfy and cozy! From a developmental point of view, this is really ideal. It is also easy to breastfeed newborns discreetly without removing them from the sling. Yet another feature of the pouch is that it's very "poppable" -- your baby can be taken in and out quickly, a boon for those practicing elimination communication, for running errands or for a toddler that wants up and down every five seconds.
The only real downside to a pouch is it is not as comfortable as a two-shouldered carrier for wearing heavier babies for longer periods (more than one hour at a time).
Ring Sling
A ring sling is a long piece of fabric (two-three metres/yards long) that adjusts to fit over one shoulder by pulling the material through two rings made from either metal or nylon, leaving a long tail of fabric hanging at the front. They can be padded in the shoulder area for added comfort and are also used primarily for front or hip carries. The adjustability factor of a ring sling makes it suitable for sharing between different sized wearers and the extra fabric is useful for very discreet breastfeeding in public. Otherwise, pros and cons are essentially the same as for a pouch sling.
Wrap Carrier
A wrap is basically just an ultra-long piece of fabric (about five metres/yards) that is tied in a variety of ways to support the baby. They come in both stretchy knits and woven fabrics. This type of carrier distributes baby's weight evenly onto both shoulders, and is therefore quite comfortable for longer wearing periods. They can be used for front, back and hip carries. Wraps are really nice for newborns as they support their floppiness beautifully. However, the learning curve for tying a wrap is pretty steep. I have tried both stretchy and woven wraps, and I personally found all that fabric too bulky and cumbersome. It was difficult to get the tension right and although it felt nice over my shoulders, I didn't find it all that comfortable around my waist. A great alternative to a wrap carrier is a hybrid carrier called the Baby Buddha Stretchy Baby Carrier, which combines the ease of a pouch with the two-shouldered support of a wrap. Their stretch performance fabric is ultra-comfortable and supportive -- we carry their eco-fabric (bamboo and hemp) versions.
Soft Pack Carrier
Soft pack carriers range from traditional carriers such as the mei tai to more structured soft carriers. A mei tai is basically a rectangle of fabric with straps coming off each corner and you tie the straps around your shoulders and waist. They are generally made from sturdy canvas-type fabrics and can have lightly padded straps for added shoulder comfort. Although easy to use, I personally found the long ties of a mei tai to be just as cumbersome and uncomfortable around the waist as a wrap carrier.
Ergonomically, babies over 20 lbs or so are better off on your back, and a soft pack carrier is infinitely more comfortable and easy to use in my experience. In fact, I have to say that a soft structured carrier wins hands down as the most comfortable and versatile baby carrier for babies over four months (most of them have a newborn insert but I personally prefer my pouch for newborns) and for longer carrying periods.
In this category we carry the Beco Butterfly II and the pikkolo soft structured carriers. These carriers distribute baby's weight between the wearer's hips and shoulders, making back strain virtually a non-issue even when wearing for long periods. Both my daughters often took their daytime naps (for up to two hours) on my back -- the attached sleeping hood is great for this! You can do both front and back carries and with the pikkolo you can also do a hip carry and an ergonomic forward facing front carry. Both carriers feature dual adjustable buckles that are completely adjustable around the waist and shoulders. They're easy to get on and off -- and the back carry only takes a bit of practice.
