When it’s time for you to choose a baby carrier one of the first things you’ll need to decide is which type of carrier will best suit your lifestyle and daily babywearing needs. In today’s market, there are multiple baby carrier types to choose from and each type is designed to meet a different set of needs. To help you choose the best style of carrier for you lifestyle, we’ve compiled a breakdown of the most common baby carrier types below.
Slings:
Slings are a great carrier choice for parents of young infants who will spend a good amount of time sleeping and nursing since they gently hold the baby in a cradle position. A sling is made of a large piece of fabric that is supported by a single shoulder strap. The generous amount of fabric used to make a sling allows you to nurse your little one discreetly when he is in the sling. Shop from our selection of Slings.
Wraps:
A wrap style carrier consists of a long piece of fabric that is wrapped around the wearer’s body and shoulders to create a pocket for baby to sit in. The simple design of a wrap carrier provides you with the versatility to reconfigure it into a wide variety of carry positions including a cradle sling carry. Shop from our selection of Wraps.
Front Carriers:
Front carriers are designed to be worn on the front of the caregiver’s chest. This type of carrier is best suited for toddlers and infants that are able to sit unsupported. While it is most common for babies in front carriers to face their caregivers some allow the baby to face outward to see the world around them. Shop from our selection of Front Carriers.
Mei Tai Carriers:
A Mei Tai is an Asian-style baby carrier that features the basic design of a rectangle of fabric and four straps (two waist straps and two shoulder straps). This style of carrier distributes the child’s weight evenly across your body. Since Mei Tai carriers do not feature any buckles, zippers, snaps or rings they are considered to be unstructured soft carriers. Shop from our selection of Mei Tai Carriers.
Multi-Position Carriers:
The term multi-position carrier can be used to describe any carry that reconfigures for multiple carry positions. A multi-position carrier gives you the option to adapt and change your carrier as your baby grows. The versatility of a multi-position carrier is a smart choice for first time baby wearers. Shop from our selection of Multi-Position Carriers.
Back Carriers:
A back carrier refers to any baby carrier that has the baby worn on the caregivers back. There are several types of infant carriers that can be considered back carriers including the wrap, mei tai, frame carrier, backpack carrier, podaegi and torso carrier. Shop from our selection of Backpack Carriers.
Hip Carriers:
A hip carrier features a single shoulder design and is intended for use in the hip carry position. Some hip carriers do reconfigure to allow for front and back carry positions. Since a child will need to support his head and neck while in a hip carrier, this type of carrier is best suited for infants six months of age and older. Shop from our selection of Hip Carriers.
Soft Carriers:
When worn in a soft carrier, a baby can be worn on the chest facing towards the caregiver or facing outward, on the back or on the caregiver’s hip. Soft carriers are usually made of firm fabrics, have padding and have straps that are worn over both of the wearer’s shoulders. Shop from our selection of Soft Carriers.
Frame Carriers:
Frame carriers are backpack style carriers with ridge metal frames that can be used for hiking and other outdoor activities. This type of carrier should be used with toddlers who are able to support their heads well. The unique design of frame carriers allows for special features like sun canopies and storage compartments. Shop from our selection of Frame Carriers.
While some parents will choose one carrier that meets all of their needs, others may find that their needs are so varied that they require two or more carriers to accommodate all babywearing activities. Once you have figured out which style of baby carrier will best suit your needs, use our Baby Carrier Comparisons and Baby Carrier Reviews to help you choose the ideal brand and model for your family.
