I have compiled a nice breakdown of the type of baby carriers out there and my thoughts on each one’s usability. Pretty informative if I do say so myself! You can visit each company’s website to find out further information on each brand or style.
Babywearing is the practice of wearing or carrying a baby in a sling or in another form of carrier and it has been practiced for centuries around the world.
Using a carrier can be very practical for parents. It frees your hands and allows you to get on with tasks, such as household chores, making a meal or just going for a walk.
Do you baby wear? Which style have you found the best for your family? From buckles to wraps, we are discussing it in this roundup.
SSC/Buckled Baby Carriers
- Easy on and off
- Need an infant insert for newborns
- Many different colors and patterns
- Can find them used for reasonable prices on craigslist, ebay (be careful of course!)
- Our family’s favorite
- Companies make larger “toddler” carriers!
Mei Tai
- Slightly more complicated than a buckle style, the straps are tied around the adult’s body
- Not suitable for newborns, good when baby can hold their head up
- Can be less comfortable on shoulders
- Based on traditional Chinese carriers
Ring Sling
- Good from birth until baby is quite large
- Simple on and off
- Millions of patterns and colors
- Can cost about as much as a nice sweater or much much more
- Great for quick runs into stores, etc
Stretchy Wrap
- Easily available from Target, Babies R Us, Amazon, etc
- Many colors and even patterns available
- Very good for newborns
- Learning curve to get started, as it is just a long piece of stretchy fabric
- Not optimal as baby gets bigger as the stretch looses it’s support
- Very warm in summer weather
Woven Wrap
- Big learning curve as far as on and off goes
- Have to be broken in
- Come in GORGEOUS drool-worthy patterns and colors
- Pricey but their fans say it’s worth it!
I am least familiar with this type of carrier, haven’t owned any. Here is a website chock full of resources though!
Hope this helps and Happy Hunting!
Featured Image from Sakura Bloom
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I loved my ring slings, but I give those Moby wraps away as baby gifts. I think they’re easier to use for most people, and pretty cost effective as gifts :)
I use a combination — a sling for quick ins and outs, like if we’re doing errands, a soft structured carrier (I have a Tula) for longer wearing — back to school night, a hike at a local wilderness area — and a woven wrap for long wearing around the house, or walks around the neighborhood. I like the woven wrap because it has all the soft cuddliness of the Moby, but a lot more support for bigger babies/toddlers. It also has support on both shoulders in most carries, unlike a sling, so it’s easier on my back. It can be worn on the back, front, or in a hip carry. And LOTS of support is available through Facebook babywearing communities and on YouTube channels like Babywearing Faith.
I love my Integra Solar for wearing my son everywhere. It is a light and semi-structured buckle carrier. I also use the ring sling sometimes and would love to learn how to wear him in a woven wrap.