Baby carriers offer parents an ideal method of carrying a baby while keeping their arms free. Two types are best for infants: the soft front baby carrier and the baby sling. Child carrier backpacks or hip carriers are best for use with babies over six months of age or toddlers.
The soft front baby carrier features a seat made of fabric containing leg openings. The wearer attaches the carrier using straps that cross over the back and shoulders. The baby rests upright against the wearer's chest, and the infant's head is supported by the back of the carrier. Certain models permit the baby to face outward after he or she no longer needs assistance with head support. They provide optimal weight distribution across the wearer's back and offer maximum freedom of movement to the rider.
A baby sling consists of a wide length of sturdy fabric. The baby's weight is borne by the wearer's back and shoulder. These are useful with infants, as well as with larger babies and with toddlers. Baby slings can be removed by lifting the sling over the wearer's head after the child has been removed. Some parents view these as too confining. Front carriers let the rider move much more freely.
A child carrier backpack looks much like a hiking backpack. These are most helpful for hiking or lengthy walks. The majority of child carrier backpacks offer storage sections. To ride in child carrier backpacks, a baby must be capable of sitting upright unassisted. Babies are usually able to do this at about six months of age.
A hip baby carrier uses a seat made of canvasthat rests on the wearer's hip, and is secured to the wearer by a strap over the shoulder and a waist belt. These are ideal for babies who can sit upright unassisted and for toddlers.
Finding the right baby carrier is very important. Choose one manufactured from a washable, soft fabric that breathes. Select one that is comfortable to wear and is suited for the rider's size, activity level, and age.
Buying the Perfect Soft Front Baby Carrier
A soft front baby carrier will allow the wear to carry the rider directly against the wearer's chest. This supports the baby and centers his or her weight over the wearer's body. The chosen soft front baby carrier should be adjustable and fit everyone who will be wearing it.
Weight Regulations for Soft Front Baby Carriers
Each soft front baby carrier features minimum and maximum weight limits, and lists age requirements. If the child does not meet these requirements, select a different carrier. Minimum age requirements for soft front baby carriers are very important. Most require riders to be at least eight pounds in weight and at least one week old. Certain carriers, such as Baby Bjorn, use snaps or fabric to decrease the leg opening diameter for use with tiny infants. Maximum weight requirements for soft front baby carriers are also important. Most carriers recommend a maximum weight of 20 to 35 pounds. After the baby is six or seven months old, a lightweight stroller or child carrier backpack is usually the best choice.
Seating Alternatives with soft front baby carriers
Some soft front baby carriers are convertible, and permit the baby to ride inward toward the wearer or outward facing his or her environment. While babies who cannot yet support their heads should always be placed in forward-facing soft front baby carriers that feature complete support for the head and neck, infants who can support their heads can be placed in outward-facing soft front baby carriers. Some of these carriers can alternatively be converted into a backpack for carrying baby items. Some carriers feature padded leg openings for additional comfort. Consider purchasing one with a removable seat or one that can be unsnapped and removed; this allows a sleeping baby to be removed from the carrier more easily.
Choosing the Right Straps with Soft Front Baby Carriers
Carriers should feature wide, padded shoulder straps crossing in the middle of the wearer's back. These provide the most carrying support and the least stress on the wearer's back and neck. Taller or larger people should choose carriers that have extendable or very long straps.
Parents with an active lifestyle may requiresoft front baby carriers that feature waist belts. Models that include weight belts provide a more even distribution of weight and further decrease the stress on the wearer's upper back or shoulders with lengthy walks.
Choosing Baby Slings
A conventional baby sling is designed to wrap the baby in material and may also be used as a seat for toddlers. Newborns can be cradled close to the wearer, while parents with toddlers usually opt for hip-carry or kangaroo-carry positions. These allow more freedom of movement. When purchasing a baby sling, choose one includes a DVD or instruction manual demonstrating alternative holding positions.
A padded baby sling offers shoulder pads for supporting a newborn's head, as well as padded fabric edges and an adjustable plastic ring. The fabric should be adjusted for proper fit or to alter seating positions. Maximum weight limits for these baby slings is usually about 30 pounds. In comparison, a wrap baby sling is made of durable cotton fabric without any padding. These usually contain a larger amount of material than a traditional sling, permitting greater adjustability, and are helpful when the wearers are of very different heights. Many are also useful as back carriers. Wrap baby sling manufacturers usually recommend a weight limit of no more than 35 pounds.