-

There are different types of baby carriers and wraps. When choosing this, you should consider your child's size and the variety of activities for which you will be using the baby carrier or wrap. Here are the characteristics of the main types.

• Front: The front baby carriers are similar to the traditional wraps with a modern twist. Your baby is like 'hanging' in a tummy tuck. The biggest advantage of this type of carrier is that you can keep an eye on your child at all times. Also, your child hangs in the best position.

• Back: Back carriers are similar to backpacks. These types are equipped with a frame and a built-in seat. The back carriers are often used for older children because they are better able to sit upright independently, and also, your back can take more weight than your front body. 

• Sling: Baby slings are woven fabrics to be wrapped around your body and your baby so that the baby is close to your body. It doesn’t have any buckle, but it is tied securely, and you can try out any comfortable position for you and your baby.

• Ring Sling refers to a web of woven fabric passed through two rings to make a sturdy seat for your child. All it needs is threading the material through the rings and then tighten the straps. Since a child’s weight is not distributed properly in this case, therefore, a ring sling is not recommended for parents with back problems.

• Mei Tai: It is an ergonomic carrier resembling a woven wrap in terms of comfort and appearance. Unlike a wrap, it is a small piece of fabric and has a back with a button or clickable hip belt and always buttonable shoulder straps.

• Ergonomic/Back Bag: It is similar to May Tai, but it is a more structured type of carrier with padded parts and straps that make the carrier more sturdy. Also, it is adjustable with buckles, so there is no need to learn techniques to carry your baby.

A baby’s body is very different from an adult as the bones are still soft and flexible. Unfortunately, earlier, less was known about ergonomics, and baby carriers were manufactured in which the baby sat in an upright position. This was very taxing on both the back and the hips. Manufacturing of the same hasn’t stopped yet. However, there are also many ergonomic baby carriers.

An ergonomic baby carrier is when a baby is a little “lumped together” with a round back. In addition, the knees are just above the hips. The baby’s body forms a kind of M shape or a frog pose. There is no chance that the baby will develop hip deformities or abnormalities in the upper legs in this position.

Safety is of prime importance here.

You must consider that how is the stitching along the necessary seams, and where are the buckles and zippers attached? 
What is the zipper’s quality?
What quality do the clips, fasteners, adjustment sliders, loops and velcro have?
Can these components stand the test of time, with timely wear & tear and repeated adjustment?

Safety is also about the baby’s position, the fabric’s breathability and supporting the baby’s head, back, knee, and neck. 

Your child might spend quite some time in a carrier. Therefore, the product needs to be comfortable in every aspect, including fabric. For example, for a backpack, a soft filling is preferred in which your baby feels protected, nurtured, relaxes easily and fall asleep quickly.

The fabric must feel light and cool on hot days. Summer calls for cotton-elastane wraps because they allow the material to breathe, and the fabric is stretchable making it easier to tie. At the same time, the outside must be able to withstand a beating and raindrops.

Different brands use different closures for the baby carrier. Some are height-adjustable with buckles and width-adjustable with press studs. You can also close it over your shoulders using click buckles. Then there are baby carriers with only buckles or press studs. Furthermore, baby carriers with Velcro closure or zipper are also available. Which method you choose depends on your own preference. 

The baby carrier not just be comfortable for your baby but you as well. To make the right choice, we suggest trying on different carriers types. You can borrow them from someone for a while or try them at a store. If you and your partner both are going to wear, it is essential to come and fit together because what is comfortable for you might not be equally suitable for your partner.

If you like slings and want the comfort of a carrier, choose a carrier made of a double layer of sling fabric. This will give you the cosy feeling of cloth and at the same time comfort of a carrier. Some people choose a sturdy and robust carrier with thick padded shoulder straps and extra support in the back. 

As they say, don’t judge a book by its cover. Some carriers appear to be great, feels best to buy, are super comfortable and reliable, but can be a total pain to put on, take off or adjust. Carriers have developed over the years from being non-ergonomic to being super comfortable. However, some are still relatively poor in this regard. 

We think you can never go wrong when it comes to a baby carrier if you know your purpose in buying it. So, be sure what you want to make of it. If you need one for home or breastfeeding, choose a sling or ring sling. The baby carriers or backpacks should be preferred for a walk with your little one. Specialised baby carriers, such as mountain backpacks, are perfect for those who want to go hiking in the mountains with their baby.

Usability also includes user-friendliness. For example, some carriers can be folded to a small size and comes in handy while travelling.

A baby carrier must fit nicely for your baby. Age is somewhat relative here. However, most of the carriers can be used from birth to infancy, sometimes well into toddlerhood. There are also baby carriers that are specially designed for young babies. Usually, a baby carrier can take up to 20 kg weight and is suitable for a baby as old as five years.

Note: Experts do not suggest a baby carrier for babies up to 4 months. For them, baby slings are preferred to hold their head and neck upright. 

The washability is yet another essential and obvious consideration for the baby carriers because it is used for a longer duration. Many loose fabric options, such as ring slings and wraps, can be easily washed using a washer and dryer. Whereas most soft structure careers that are more popular in the market these days are hand washable. However, structured carriers have more seams, pockets, padding, etc., making it difficult to wash them thoroughly.

For choosing a baby carrier, it is imperative to identify where the position of the baby legs will lie. If the baby’s legs keep dangling straight down, it will cause a certain level of discomfort and eventually lead to pain. Ideally, the baby’s thighs should be spread around the wearer’s torso and supported to the knee joint. A wider seat facilitates the same.

The carrier strap width is also an important consideration to keep in mind when buying a baby carrier. Small and fewer straps simply mean less comfort. Go for a baby carrier with at least a shoulder and waist strap to enjoy maximum comfort and convenience.

Carrying a baby for a long time is a herculean task, and it is not always comfortable for the baby as well. Due to this reason, most carrier pads have sufficient padding offering optimum comfort to the baby, and even some ring sling models include a shoulder pad. You should always look for these comfort-related amenities to make the best use of the carrier.

There was a time when a baby carrier could only support a single carrying position, and you needed separate carriers for babies, toddlers, large children and hiking. TToday’scarriers are versatile enough to support multiple carrying positions as a baby grows. A primary carrier has two positions, usually facing forward and backwards. At the high end, carriers have six positions, including rear-facing newborn (fetal tuck), rear-facing baby (legs out), forward-facing toddler, rear-facing toddler, hip carrier and back carrier (walking carrier).

The baby carriers come with quite a handful and valuable accessories. They are given below:

• Drool bib

• Teething pad

• Sunshade

• Rain hood

• Winter weather cover

However, from a safety point of view, use an accessory recommended by the manufacturer or comes from the manufacturer's brand.

Baby carriers vary widely in prices, from just 30 to 250 euros. The prices are influenced by higher quality and versatility with all the bells and whistles. However, do your research well because you might get lucky in finding a carrier with great features at less price.

• Our comparison winner offers a unique convertible seat for babies, making for the perfect carrier from birth through toddler years.

• It facilitates 4 ergonomic ways to carry a baby - tummy-to-tummy position, for babies 6+ months old for the facing-out position, back carry with and without a wide seat.

• The carrier is suitable for 3.6 kg to 14.5 kg weighing babies.

• It has a special harness keeping the baby securely inside the carrier, enabling you to pass your baby onto another caregiver without the need to take the baby out of the carrier.

• It helps you stay cool all year long by beating the heat with a breathable 3D cool mesh lining that provides excellent airflow.

• A double layer bandana bib also comes with it. It is made of super-absorbent 100% cotton and is as stylish as it is functional. It snaps easily onto the baby carrier, and you can also use it separately.

• The quality of fabric, design and handiwork shows in every piece manufactured by the brand. It comes in an ever-fashionable heather grey, stain-resistant material.

• Cleaning it is easy since it can be machine washed & dried.

• The Baby Carrier Mini is small, soft and simple to use. IIt’sprimarily designed to meet the young baby’s great need for closeness.

• Since it is effortless to put on and take off, it is perfect for frequent, short babywearing sessions.

• It is cleverly designed to unfasten the entire front section and gently lift out your sleeping baby.

• You can use it from baby’s day one and continue to use it until he or she starts weighing 11 kg.

• Our review is for 3D jersey material (80% polyester, 16% cotton, 4% elastane), which is soft and velvety. This stretchy fabric gently hugs your baby. It comprises of three layers, with the middle layer consisting of a fine, single-fibre thread. The different layers offer stability, while the material is breathable and releases excess heat.

• It is also available in other two materials - 3D mesh and satin-woven cotton.

• The shoulder straps are made of 100% cotton.

• The soft fabric meets the requirements of OEKO-TEX Standard 100.

• It gently hugs your baby’s back, legs and hips, providing good support. Also, the little one can sit in a natural position.

• Baby Carrier Mini also offers sturdy and adjustable head support.

• It lets you carry your child in both the facing-in and facing-out positions. However, remember that the leg straps are reduced to the size of the leg openings for babies weighing 3.2 kg to 4.5 kg. While carrying your baby in the facing-out position, he or she should be at least five months old and weigh max. 11 kg, or the height is a maximum of 75 cm.

• The mini carrier complies with both the European EN 13209-2:2015 and the American ASTM F2236 safety standards for baby carriers.

• It is machine washable at 40°C. However, wash it separately and do not tumble dry. Also, use a mild, eco-certified detergent and strictly follow the dosing instructions.

• The Infantino strap Mei Tai sling is based on a centuries-old style of baby wearing.

• The buckle-free, wrap and tie design lets you create a custom, natural fit for your body. This flexible style creates a comfortable fit for all body types.

• It supports your child ergonomically with a natural seat in three positions - facing-in, hip-hugger and backpack.

• The wrap includes a detachable hood for sun protection and sleepy time.

• It is suitable for carrying children from 3.6 kg to 16.3 kg.

• It has extra-wide padded straps for ultimate comfort.

• The sling is machine washable.

• The Boba Carrier 4G is a flexible carrier that offers three ergonomic carry positions: newborn, front-inward and back. So, in the case of front-facing, you can face your baby with the belly or with the back to you (6 months & above).

• It comes with an infant insert & sleeping hood to provide maximum comfort to your baby.

• The width of the seat, padded shoulders, and sternum strap are adjustable, and your child is always in the ergonomic M-position. You can adjust the waist belt from 25” to 58”, and the shoulder strap adjustment range is 20” to 40.”

• It is also ergonomic for the parents. The back support and the hip belt ensure that you keep yourself straight and easily able to walk around with your child for a long time.

• The back is extra high, and there are also footrests. 

• The weight is distributed very ergonomically over your back, abdominal and shoulder muscles.

• You are in the right place with the Boba Carrier 4G if you are looking for one of the best baby carriers to have your child close to you for a long time comfortably.

• It has been certified hip-healthy by International Hip Dysplasia Institute. 

• The Ergobaby 360 is an all-in-one carrier. Your child can sit in any position in this.

• The ergonomic positions include the face towards you (0+ months) or with the view on the outside world (5+ months), hip carry (6+ months), and back carry (6+ months).

• It is designed in a way that weight of your child is optimally distributed.

• The wide straps and the hip belt distribute the weight evenly over your back, shoulders and hips.

• Thanks to the included reduction cushion, it can be used immediately after birth and continue to use until your child weighs 15 kilograms or 48 months old.

• The lumbar offers extra back comfort.

• It is made from a breathable mesh polyester. And the soft fleece finish gives a nice cosy feeling to the baby.

• It comes with a baby privacy hood making the carrier breastfeeding friendly and offering protection against the sun (UPF 50+).

• The carrier is suitable for carrying by all sizes of people.

• You can easily wash it in the washing machine. 

• Thanks to the infant insert, you can use the Tula baby carrier immediately after birth (from 3 kg) without adjustments. 

• It has an easy to adjust the design, due to which you can use it for even a 20 kg child.

• It grows with your baby as you can adjust the length of the back with two simple buckles. Also, the hip belt can be adjusted using a push-button. This way, you can adjust it in both length and width.

• This carrier provides support from knee to knee so that your child can be transported comfortably and ergonomically.

• With Tula Free-to-grow, the ergonomic M posture is assured.

• You can use this baby carrier in two different ways - front and back. While front carry, the baby’s face can be in or out.

• Due to the padded shoulder pads, it offers comfort to both the parent and the baby.

• The multiple ergonomic carrying positions promotes healthy hip and spine development for the baby.

• The 100% soft and breathable cotton fabric also makes it desirable for both the carrier and wearer.

• You can also use it for a long time because of the buckles and push-buttons.

• Finally, there is a padded pocket on the hip belt to store your phone and wallet.

• Our last spot has been occupied by a black colour sling.

• The wrap is classy, chic and universally flattering.

• The Boba baby wrap is suitable for 0 to 18 months.

• The baby’s weight can be between 3 kg to 15 kg.

• The sling consists of 95% French terry cotton and has a touch of spandex which helps in retaining its shape. The fabric will cling perfectly to the contours of your body and your baby.

• It is soothing for both wearer and the baby.

• The wrap is breastfeeding friendly.

• The four-way stretch provides flexibility, adjustability, and genuine support.

• With this wrap, one size fits all. It creates a tailor made fit each time you tie.

• It has been certified hip-healthy by International Hip Dysplasia Institute. 

• It is a machine washable product and can be tumble dried on low.