Baby wearing is a game changer! However, if you’ve never tried it before it can be a bit daunting. There are so many different types of baby carriers, it can seem like a minefield. On the other hand, maybe you’ve only heard of one type of baby carrier/baby sling and based on this, think that it’s not for you. Whichever category you fall into, we’re here to help with an explanation for the different types of baby carriers.
For all baby carriers, front carry outward facing should start from 4-6 months and baby should be able to hold their head without wobbling. The back carry position should start from 6-9 months old and baby should be able to sit unaided. These are safety precautions to protect spine and neck development.
1. Soft Structured Carriers
If you are only aware of one type of baby carrier, this is probably the one. Soft structured carriers are designed with padded shoulder straps and a padded waistband that is fastened with a buckle and often Velcro. There may also be another strap that connects the shoulder straps depending on the design. All straps and bands are usually adjustable for comfort for you and your baby. Depending on the make and model, you can babywear in up to 4 positions – on your front facing inwards, on your front facing outwards, on your back, on your side. A carrier that is versatile, allowing different carrying positions is an essential because as baby grows, they will want to face outwards, and as they get heavier, you may wish to have them on your back for comfort.
There are many different brands but the Ergobaby 360 is a good example of a soft structured carrier.
Pros
- Easy for first time parents
- Comfortable for long durations
- Multiple carry positions (make and model dependent)
Cons
- Bulky – difficult to fold up
- May require infant insert for newborn
2. Lightweight soft structured carriers
I discovered this type of baby carrier with my second child and boy had I been missing out! The design is a very basic version of the soft structured carriers listed above – two shoulder straps and a waist band, the difference is, all material is light and usually only lightly padded if at all. These carriers can accommodate front carrying inward facing, back carry and side carry. They are great for wearing around the home or running short errands but also sturdy enough for more long endurance activities such as days out.
Connectas and Integras are the best example of these and very similar in design to each other, however connectas are only available second hand.
Pros
- Multiple carry positions
- Suitable from newborn up to 5 yrs old
- Lightweight – folds up small
- Great for short or long use
- Great lightweight hands-free option for when baby just wants to be held
Cons
- Some find the lack of padding in the waistband uncomfortable.
3. Wraps
Wraps themselves come in different styles and require different techniques, however in a nutshell, a baby wrap is just one long piece of material that you wrap and tie around yourself in a specific way to hold baby in place. There are no straps or buckles. The easiest version of these is the stretchy wrap. Made of one long strip of stretchy breathable material, the stretchy wrap is a great choice for beginners wishing to have a wrap in their arsenal. Once you have practiced a few times, the wrapping process will become second nature.
With a stretchy wrap you can babywear on your front inward facing then outward facing when old enough. Back carry is also possible when baby is old enough however requires more skill.
Again there are many different brands but the Boba wraps are a good place to start.
Pros
- Folds up small
- Suitable from newborn upwards
- Multiple carry positions (back carry may be advanced level)
- Perfect for running errands such as grocery shopping
- Great lightweight hands-free option for when baby just wants to be held
Cons
- Can be complicated at first
- Not sturdy enough for activities such as hiking
- Can be uncomfortable when baby is older and heavier
4. Ring Sling
Ring slings are one long wide piece of material that have 2 rings fastened to the material at one end. The material goes over one shoulder, wraps around your body and feeds through the rings on your original shoulder to create a sling for your baby. They are lightweight and great for wearing around the home or for easy activities such as grocery shopping.
Lennylamb is a good brand but possibly one of the more pricey ones.
Pros
- Folds up small
- Suitable from newborn upwards
- Multiple carry positions (back carry may be advanced level)
- Perfect for running errands such as grocery shopping
- Great lightweight hands-free option for when baby just wants to be held
Cons
- All of your baby’s weight is carried on one shoulder, so wearing for longer periods of time may become uncomfortable.
- Movement of your arm/shoulder that the rings are on can be restricted by the wrap material.
5. Mei-Tai
Mei-Tai carriers are a hybrid of the wrap and soft structured carrier. They have long strips of material that you tie around your body as well as shoulder straps and waist straps that tie around your waist. There are no buckles, only ties. Less complicated than a wrap at first glance, however does have more of a learning curve than other types of carrieres. More sturdy than just a wrap though so can be used from newborn to toddler.
Here is a link to an Mei Tai carrier on amazon to get you started.
Pros
- Great for on the go, running errands
- Folds up small
- Multiple carrying positions
- Suitable from newborn upwards
Cons
- Can be a bit complicated to get the hang of
6. Backpack carriers
These are worn on your back and are built with a rigid frame to support your child’s weight for longer durations. These carriers have shoulder straps, a waist strap and often a chest strap. They are ideal for when you need to wear a heavier child for long periods of time, such as a toddler on a hike.
These carriers are very bulky, and can be heavy due to their frame. Some come with extra compartments to carry items you would have otherwise carried in a backpack.
LittleLife are a good place to start if you’re looking for an strong endurance outdoors carrier.
Pros
- Great for getting outdoors with heavier children
- Some have compartments for storage
Cons
- Bulky
- Can be heavy
- Not suitable for young babies
Conclusion
If you are starting from scratch, try to borrow different types of baby carriers from either someone you know or a sling library. Different carriers are suited to different people, children and reason for use. In my experience with two children I have used everything on this list except the Mei-Tai. In using each type of carrier, the lightweight soft structure carrier is the one I have used the most and for the longest time (4 months – 2yrs+) however, I used every other carrier in my arsenal a fair amount as they all lend themselves to different activities, and would use them all again if we had a third baby.
