How do you choose the best baby carrier?
Nowadays, there are a wide range of different retail outlets for baby products including various types of baby carriers. The price of the goods can vary by a great amount. Their quality also moves on a wide range and often the price is far from being proportionate to quality. Certainly, a quality carrier will not be in the cheapest category but we should not rely only on the price when it’s coming to the final choice. More expensive doesn’t mean it’s better.
It is important for the carrier to properly hold the baby, properly even out the weight for the parent’s back, and be comfortable for both of them in the long run.
From a baby’s point of view, you must ensure that a good carrier has the following:
Holds the baby’s body closely
A proper tight hold means that the torso of a baby and the person carrying it are so aligned that they move like one body. When the adult is moving back and forth, the baby’s chest does not move away from her. This means that the carrier supports the baby’s body from all sides. This is essential for small babies, it has more convenience than the larger ones. Also when carrying small babies, we need to keep in mind that the carrier should be able to support the head – and not only back-and-forth but sideways.
Proper support for the baby’s legs
For optimum hip development, it is important for the carrier to hold the baby from underneath not via the bottom but rather via supporting the tights all the way to the knees. A well-designed baby carrier doesn’t allow the baby’s feet hang in the air. It keeps the legs pulled up, bent knees, and it supports the thighs.
Carrying facing front or back?
If the chosen carrier is capable of all this above you still need to be aware of how to use it correctly. The baby’s back must be supported. It is also recommended for psychological reasons to keep the baby hidden inside the carrier if and when the surroundings require it.
Small babies who can’t support their head yet should face inward and need a firm support flap on the back of the baby carrier.
The front carrying limit is 5-7 kg, and the approx. 4 months old. It is harder to carry a baby in front than in the carrier. From the age of four months, they are starting to look around more and more so it makes sens to allow the baby to turn carrying on the back. As the baby is getting older, carrying on the waist or the back is the solution.
Other things to consider for the best baby carrier:
- Is it baby carrier well ventilated – in short: is your baby (and you) hot? Periodically feel your little one’s back and tummy for sweat. If it’s warm, take him/her out for a little while and allow some time to cool down.
- Is your baby happy? At this age, your baby can’t tell you if his/her hip is at an uncomfortable angle or the arm is asleep. Check the limbs if they are pale or mottled and if yes, re-position the body.
- Are you happy with the carrier and your posture? Your baby’s weight should be evenly distributed. Save your back by carefully reading the instructions manual or watch some Youtube video tutorials about baby carrier usage and always make sure it fits and that you’re wearing it properly.
Purchasing the right carrier
You can check out here a great selection of baby carriers here. Our general recommendation is to not buy any “no-name” brand product. Go for a well known brand and one that has a good background and recognition in the baby product industry.
