When Choosing a Baby Carrier, Comfort is Key

Carry your Baby in Comfort

By Laurel Ackerman, owner
Bella Stella Resale, bellastellaresale.com

By all means, carry your baby. Almost all children love to be held in someone’s arms. When carried correctly in a carrier, babies should feel like they are in arms, not in a contraption!

Keep the following in mind when trying on slings, pouches, and other carriers:

Keep an open mind I often hear from parents “I don’t want that long thingy that you have to tie- I know I won’t be able to do it.” Just for fun, we have them try it on, and due to the comfort, ease of use (really!), versatility and great price, the “long thingy” almost always goes home.

Get fitted A good carrier should hold your babe the way you do. Baby’s legs should be supported as if they were in a chair, with support all the way out to the knees. Babies should not be carried by the crotch in a bungee harness with their legs dangling. This is as much for the baby as for the wearer: when the baby’s weight is supported only by the crotch (not distributed throughout the bottom and thighs) a great deal of pressure is put on the still developing pelvic bone.

Those swinging legs are also challenging for your stomach and back muscles to stabilize, leading to prematurely tired (or injured) backs. Slings should fit very snugly, with the lowest part hitting just at the top of your hip; they should be spread out wide across the back and sit on the shoulder, not the neck. Baby should sit snugly against your body, without bouncing or swaying—very important as these motions will KILL your back!

Ring slings, structured carriers like Ergos and Becos, wraps and mei-tai carriers can all be adjusted to fit the wearer snugly. Pouch slings, on the other hand, must be sized correctly to the wearer when purchased, so make sure you get fit properly.

Try before you buy Spend some time trying your (well-fed and well-rested) child in a number of carriers. Walk around the block, if possible, to get a feel for how it functions in the real world.

Don’t give up If your child doesn’t seem to like the carrier, try again later when everyone is in a better mood.

Assess the situation A one-shoulder sling isn’t going to work for a three-hour excursion. For this kind of job, a two-shouldered carrier with hip support is called for.

Don’t skimp on quality A carrier will be something you use every day. Get the right one for the job - your baby and your back will thank you!

Pictures courtesy of Bella Stella