Baby Carriers

Types of baby carriers

There is a movement within the parenting community toward what has come to be called "Babywearing," as opposed to wheeling babies around in strollers. The theory is simple and is succinctly explained in Patricia Newton's article, "Getting Back to Basics with Babywearing". She writes, "Babywearing is actually an extension of pregnancy, which in turn is part of the overall curve of parenting. Good parenting results in happy, secure and intelligent kids. Babies who are worn tend to cry less than others. They are more aware of their caregivers and the world around them because they spend their days observing interesting occurrences rather than sitting in a chair, staring into space."

A baby carrier keeps baby close to your body, while leaving your hands free. It’s a good choice for crowded places where using a stroller would be a hassle. Backpack carriers are also great for hiking and longer trips.

There are three main styles of baby carriers, and trying them all out in a store is the best way to decide which type suits you best.

Front carriers support the baby vertically and fit like a snug, front-facing backpack. In most cases, newborn babies are carried front-facing in the beginning then turned to face outward as the baby grows older and stronger. The shoulder straps are adjustable, and the higher quality front carriers allow for better weight distribution. Some models allow for nursing, and there are several front carrier models available specifically for the active, outdoorsy parent.

Slings cradle the baby in soft fabric both vertically and horizontally. They drape across the parent's body and over one shoulder. Some are made of a single layer of fabric while others are padded. Slings are not recommended for any strenuous type of activity like hiking. Hip carriers are similar to slings, but the baby is carried upright and on the hip. Reviews say slings are especially good for nursing, since the baby is supported, and the sling's fabric gives mom a high degree of privacy.

Backpack or frame carriers allow the baby to sit forward and up high on the parent's back. This type is recommended for outdoor excursions like hiking or a day at the amusement park. Backpack and frame carriers usually come loaded with features and extra compartments, and one model even converts into a stroller. Backpack carriers are only suitable for older babies, since the infant must be able to support his/her head independently. Backpacks are more comfortable for long periods for the parent, but you have less access to the baby, since he/she sits behind you.

Front baby carriers

Experts and users generally say that Baby Bjorn makes the best front carriers. Babies can face in or out, and the carrier enables parents to simply unsnap the front section to remove sleeping babies. The straps are easy to adjust and reduce pressure on the back. The leg opening size is also adjustable.

There are two Baby Bjorn models, the Baby Bjorn Original (*est. $80) and the Baby Bjorn Active (*est. $120) . The Original comes in an extra-large version (*est. $95), which reviews say is great for taller parents and caregivers. The Original can hold newborns, as long they are at least eight pounds and twenty-one inches long (maximum weight is 22 pounds). The Baby Bjorn Active is designed to offer both parent and baby more back and shoulder support, and it adds a parent waist strap that distributes the baby's weight more evenly. The minimum recommended weight for the Baby Bjorn Active is eleven pounds, with a maximum of 26 pounds. The Active also allows for nursing.

The most common complaint targeted at Baby Bjorn carriers is their price. However, parents who love them say there is no doubt that these carriers are worth the additional money. Many Baby Bjorn fans who contribute comments to Amazon.com or Epinions write that they started with a less-expensive carrier, but were ultimately happier with the Baby Bjorn after first suffering through a less-expensive carrier for a few months.

A less-expensive alternative to the $120 Baby Bjorn Active is the Kelty Kangaroo Carrier (*est. $70) . In reviews, testers are impressed with the Kelty's build quality and features. Like the Baby Bjorn Active, the Kangaroo has a suspension system with a waist belt, which is designed to transfer stress from the shoulders to the hips in an effort to ease the load for parents. This baby carrier is designed for outdoor use and has additional features like a rain/sun/privacy hood and a storage pouch. It is practical for nursing mothers who prefer a little privacy. Reviews call it durable, versatile and a good alternative to the Baby Bjorn Active, even if it doesn’t quite feature the same fashionable colors or design as the Baby Bjorn.

The Ultimate Baby Wrap (*est. $40) from Parents of Invention is one of the more versatile front carriers. The baby can be positioned forward-facing, facing you, on your hip, piggyback and nursing/sleeping. The carrier design includes wide cotton panels that wrap around the shoulder and lower back. The manufacturer claims it can support infants from five pounds to a maximum weight of 35 pounds. Overall, Amazon.com contributors say it is comfortable and has great weight distribution. However, we did read some complaints. The most common one is that with repeated use, the Ultimate Baby Wrap began to stretch and sag, so it’s possible that durability might be an issue.

Recently, the Ergo Baby Carrier (*est. $95) has received some excellent scores in professional reviews, but it isn’t widely reviewed enough on consumer sites or as easily available as the Baby Bjorn for us to recommend it over the current champ. It’s also a little more expensive. We’ll see how this competition shapes up over time.

Slings

Some parents, especially nursing mothers, favor slings because they offer more privacy than basic front carriers. Sleeping babies are less likely to be disturbed, and once the baby is older, he or she can be held vertically. It’s very important to note that experts say slings do not adequately support infants during activity, so if hiking is on your agenda, a sling may not be the right choice. Some mothers say that as the baby gets older, a sling isn't recommended because the baby is positioned down low inside the sling and can't see what's going on around him or her.

Natural Family Online's Lisa Poisso calls the Maya Wrap Baby Sling (*est. $40) "the mama of all baby slings." Feedback from parents supports this assertion. Parents reviewing this sling on opinion sites say that once you get the hang of wearing a sling, it you won't be able to manage without it. You can carry a baby up to 35 pounds in the front, on the hip, in back, reclining, nursing or in a kangaroo carry position. The Maya can also be easily adjusted for different wearers. Since the Maya sling is not padded, it’s cooler to wear than a padded sling. The Maya Wrap is included in Fast Answers. Keep in mind that we found some complaints that there's a learning curve with a sling and that some parents just never get the hang of it or find it comfortable. It might be worth trying a sling in a store to see if it's going to be right for you.

We've found very polarized reviews for the Moby Wrap (*est. $35) . This product is basically a long piece of cotton fabric along with a detailed set of instructions, which you use to learn to wrap the fabric around your body, then snuggle your baby inside. We found mainly excellent user reviews for the Moby. Parents like how secure and comfortable the Wrap feels (once you learn how to use it), and many say it doesn't hurt their back at all. However, among the praise, we also read complaints that there's real learning curve and that the Moby Wrap takes a long time to put on and take off. Some say it's too hot to use in summer.

The Over the Shoulder Baby Holder baby sling (*est. $45) receives some solid comments on opinion sites. One Epinions' reviewer recommends this sling as the perfect follow-up for a baby who has outgrown a Baby Bjorn. Other reviews say it is ideal for discreet nursing. However, some parents found the padding too bulky, and others suffered back pain after continuous wear.

BabyCenter.com reviewers give high praise to the Parenting Concepts Slingeeze (*est. $40). It comes in three parent sizes. Back pain sufferers will be pleased to note that many reviewers who suffer from back pain were surprised to find that this sling didn't cause discomfort. Though the Slingeeze receives favorable reviews, the Maya Wrap is still the definitive leader in this area.

Nojo (*est. $30) slings are considered the original sling, and they are less expensive than others. However, the Nojo doesn't have the best reputation. Parents and caretakers on opinion sites such as TheBabyWearer.com complain that it’s too bulky, large and doesn't adjust easily. There were even a few mentions that the Over the Shoulder Baby Holder Sling (above) is a better choice.

Backpack carriers

Backpack carriers are designed with an excursion in mind, and reviews recommend purchasing from manufacturers that specialize in outdoor equipment, such as Kelty and Sherpani, rather than juvenile product companies. Experts say these two brands are the best of the backpack carrier competition, because they come fully equipped with practical features.

Kelty has a wide price range of backpack carriers, including the top-of-the-line Adventurer (*est. $240) . This feature-loaded backpack offers a removable and washable child cockpit, a kickstand, removable storage pouches and comfort features such as curved and molded shoulder straps. It also has a five-point harness, a sun/rain hood, a detachable kid's pack with shoulder straps, a detachable cargo bag that attaches under the cockpit, zippered pouches on each side of the waist belt and a cell phone/GPS pouch. It's pricey, but if you're a serious hiker, this carrier has all of the options.

Parents posting reviews on ChildCarriers.com say the less expensive, adjustable-frame Kelty Pathfinder (*est. $190) is also a great choice for hikers. This backpack carrier can support a child up to 45 pounds. Although it isn't equipped with as many features as the Kelty Adventurer, it still has a nice selection of options, including an auto-deploying kickstand, a removable sun and rain hood, a removable daypack and a removable, washable burp cloth. The cockpit has a 5-point harness and fleece-lined leg holes. The seat can recline slightly, and the height can be adjusted. It weighs eight pounds, while the pricier Kelty Adventurer weighs only four pounds.

The Kelty Convertible (*est. $175) converts from a stroller to a backpack and weighs nine pounds. Parents posting reviews on ChildCarriers.com are very impressed with its versatility. Several reviewers used it during their trips to Europe, and another found it the perfect solution for a day at the beach. ChildCarriers.com says that the stroller function is a little lacking, with wheels that sometimes stick or don't rotate correctly. There have also been complaints that the brakes are hard to engage and disengage. Nonetheless, most say the positives outweigh the negatives, making it a good choice for travelers.

Reviews by both professionals and everyday users call the Tough Traveler Kid Carrier (*est. $175) durable, dependable and lightweight. It is equipped with a five-point harness, high-padded sides and a high-back seat for baby. It supports up to 50 pounds and has plenty of storage, including an under-seat area, convenient for a diaper bag. This backpack carrier also has a rain/sun canopy. It is easily adjustable for the parent, and according to Epinions reviews, it’s extremely comfortable. The big issue we found with this model -- despite some significant praise -- is that it’s hard to find. Tough Traveler makes several other backpack carriers, and their website includes a comparison chart (see Best Research below). This company also makes luggage, sleeping bags, backpacks, diaper bags and other useful kid stuff.

If all you need is a basic low cost backpack carrier, the Evenflo Cross Country Carrier (*est. $90) gets some good reviews from parents on Amazon.com. It also does well in some professional tests and is considerably less expensive than many other models. Still, if you hike regularly or plan to use the backpack carrier often, reviews recommend going with a brand that specializes in outdoors equipment (such as Kelty).

Important Features: Baby Carriers

Reviewers say to look for the following while shopping for a baby carrier:

• Look for a carrier that can be worn in front, on the side and in back.

• Consider buying a carrier that has a privacy/sun/rain guard.

• Look for a carrier that can be adjusted to distribute weight evenly across the wearer's body. Adjustability is also important as the baby grows.

• Make sure the fabric is washable. Fabric with a tight weave is best, as it will resist stretching.

• Don't rule out a carrier because of price. Try several brands to determine which is most comfortable for you.

• Take time with the directions. Many owners say baby carriers take some getting used to until you find the right adjustments.

• Keep in mind that soft baby carriers (as opposed to sling-style carriers) aren't recommended for babies under 2 months old.

• If both mom and dad will be using the carrier, size must be taken into consideration, since not all carriers are a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Baby Bjorn makes an extra-large version for taller people and also offers custom made carriers. Many sling manufacturers offer plus-size carriers or carriers that are versatile enough to accommodate variously sized wearers. Try on different carriers in the store, with baby, and don't settle for anything that doesn't feet comfortable and well suited to your body.

Just as we were updating this report, the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association (www.jpma.org) was working on adding infant frame carriers and baby carriers to the list of products in its certification program. Parents and caregivers may want to check back with the organization periodically to find these results once they’re posted.

Our Consensus Report shows how many times products are top-ranked by reviewers included in our
All The Reviews Reviewed chart.

# of picks	Baby Monitor (with retailer links)	Details from Amazon.com
5	Baby Bjorn Active (*est. $120)	details
5	Baby Bjorn Original (*est. $80)	details
4	Moby Wrap (*est. $35)	details
4	Snugli Comfort Vent by Evenflo (*est. $20)	details
3	Snugli Cross Country by Evenflo (*est. $90)	-
3	New Native baby carrier (*est. $40)	details
3	Kelty Adventure (*est. $240)	details
3	Ergo Baby Carrier (*est. $95)	-
3	Maya Wrap Baby Sling (*est. $40)	details
3	Kozy Mei Tai Carrier (*est. $80)	-
2	Kelty Kangaroo Carrier (*est. $70)	details
2	Playtex Hip Hammock (*est. $30)	-
1 each	Nojo Original Baby Sling , Hot Slings Baby Carrier , Chicco Smart Support Backpack Carrier , Compact Back Pack by Baby Trend, Slingeeze Baby Sling, InStep Stroller Backpack, Kelty Tour , Deuter KangaKid , Go Go Rider , Baby Sling by Red Envelope, Premaxx New Edition , Tickle Turdle Knit Tube Slings, Infantino BackPackRider, Sling Baby, Over the Shoulder Baby Holder , Moms in Mind Sarong Carrier, Mamma’s Milk Baby Carrier, Tough Traveler Kid Carrier , Beco Baby Carrier by Eco Baby, Baby Trekker, MaxiMom Carrier, WaterTot, Infantino SmartRider , Cuddle Carrier, Hip Baby by Walking Rock Farm

Editorial reviews and parents most often recommend the Baby Bjorn Original as their preferred front carrier, even though there are some complaints about the high price. The Kelty Kangaroo Carrier is a good active-use carrier and a less expensive alternative to the Baby Bjorn Active, which is also highly rated. The Maya Wrap Baby Sling is the favored sling in reviews. The New Native Baby Carrier is also a sling, but it costs more, and some reviews say it isn't as adjustable as the Maya. We found both excellent and terrible reviews for the Moby Wrap. There isn't much consensus among backpack carriers, but the Tough Traveler Kid Carrier is recommended in the best review we found, an opinion that's corroborated by parents on Epinions.

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