How to Choose a Baby Carrier

When choosing a carrier, here are some things to consider:

~When will you be wearing it the most? In the grocery store….at home…..church service…..
~Do you have any back, shoulder or hip issues?
~How big is your baby already or are you starting from newborn size?
~Will you be sharing with someone?
~Will you be breastfeeding in it?

Lets talk about each thing above:
When will you be wearing it the most?
If you are planning on using a carrier for just quick trips into the grocery store, then a POUCH or a Tai is the way to go! You can throw it on in any parking lot FAST and it’s convenient for a reaching arm. If you already had a Ring Sling that was threaded prior, this would also be a fast option. If you are planning on wearing it through church services or for hours at a time you might want something that supports your back more such as a Wrap or Tai. If you are wearing it at home, you want something that is going to be the most comfortable, so a wrap is my first option there!

Do you have back, shoulder or hip issues?
When I first started baby wearing, I used only a pouch….and I used it ALL the time for long periods of time! I didn’t rotate shoulders and I started having issues with my left shoulder and back becoming tingly when my baby got to be about 6 months old. Of course when I started to rotate shoulders and use other carriers, the problem went away….but if I would have had prior back pain or issues, it may have caused more harm than good. If you have ANY issues with your back, shoulders or hips, I absolutely recommend using a Wrap or a Tai over a ‘one shoulder’ style sling. Of course it’s always nice to have one still though for your quick trips for in and out of the store…

How big is your baby?
If you already have a baby who is over 6 months old, then you can choose any type of baby carrier. If you are starting with a newborn, I recommend staying away from the Tai. I just do not find it as supportive or comforting for a brand new baby as the other carriers. A favorite for a newborn is a Ring sling (EXCELLENT for breast feeding) or a wrap. Honestly - if you are breast feeding, please get a ring sling….you will always wish you had if you don’t.

Will you be sharing with someone?
If yes, then you need to stay away from the pouch. The ring slings are adjustable to a point, but you have to be sure that it will fit both of you. If you are a petite X-small and if your husband is a football player, chances are that you cannot share a ring sling. However a wrap or a tai would be the best option. The Tai’s are usually one size fits all as are the wraps.

Finally, let me just say that I love each carrier differently for these main reasons:

Pouch: I love it for the simplicity of it. I know it will always fit me the same without having to adjust it at all. I know it’s fast to put on and I don’t have to worry about it coming loose. It’s alright for breastfeeding in. It makes a nice car seat blanket in the winter time too in a pinch.

Sling: I LOVE IT for breastfeeding. I like it for when I am with family and can share responsibility with baby wearing with my Mother or someone else who might want to wear my baby. I like the prints though, so my husband prefers not to wear this one. Of course this one makes a good car seat blanket in the winter time too in a pinch. The large pocket on it is another favorite of mine.

Tai: I love it for the support and simplicity for an older baby. It’s nice to be able to throw it on and be able to keep it on for hours without feeling too uncomfortable.

Wrap: My favorite! I love it for every reason (except breastfeeding….never got the hang of it…not saying that I won’t, but I would totally choose the sling over the wrap for breastfeeding any day!). It’s so much more supportive than any other carrier and it makes baby feel weightless. You can use it from newborn up to 40-45 lbs. It’s a one size fits all, so my husband can totally wear it too. It’s soft and stretchy so you will always have a perfectly snug fit. You can wear it ALL DAY without feeling uncomfortable at all. For in and out of grocery stores I found that if I put it on at home before I left, that it was a snap to put the baby in it. This was also convenient in the winter time to do with any carrier so that it was on and ready for baby. I find it the most comfortable for me AND for baby. I have heard from different friends who prefer the Tai’s that they think it’s rather constricting….I like the comforting snugness of them though.

Elizabeth Witt is a proud mommy of three beautiful children and also the owner of WahmClassifieds.com