Choosing a Baby Carrier
There are several different types of carriers available for babywearing. Below is a quick overview of the most common carriers.
WRAPS
Wraps are pieces of cloth that come in various lengths and fabric types. Woven wraps can be used in a variety of different ways, including front, hip, back and nursing carries. Stretchy wraps are a great starter wrap, but shouldn't be used to back wrap.
Pros: Wraps can be used in a variety of different ways, including hip, front, back and nursing carries. They can be used on children of any size. There is a lot of flexibility in this one carrier.
Cons: There is a learning curve to wraps. The long length of fabric can be bulky and will likely drag the ground when wrapping, which many find intimidating.
SOFT STRUCTURED CARRIERS
Soft structured carriers are also knows as buckle carriers or abbreviated to SSC. They are structured carriers that usually contain buckles.
Pros: SSCs are fairly easy to use and have a low learning curve. They are easy to get on and off with the buckles. They can also easily be adjusted to fit different care givers.
Cons: Hip carries tend to have more of a learning curve for the SSC. Some buckles can be uncomfortable or dig into the care giver.
MEI-TAI & ASIAN STYLE CARRIERS
Asian style carriers range from mei-tais to podegi carriers. They are a middle ground between wraps and soft structured carriers. They can be worn in hip, front, back and nursing carries.
Pros: They are fairly compact and easy to fold. They have a lower learning curve than a wrap and help avoid any seat-making issues.
Cons: Asian carriers are a middle between wraps and SSCs, this can be a disadvantage.
SLINGS
Slings are one shoulder carriers. They can be pouches, which are a single piece of fabric, or they can be looped through rings to create an adjustable carrier called a ring sling.
Pros: Slings are fairly easy to use and have a low learning curve. They are easy to use and can be left on and baby can be put in and pulled out easily.
Cons: All the weight from the child being carried onto one shoulder, which can be straining after long periods of wearing.
WRAPS
Wraps are pieces of cloth that come in various lengths and fabric types. Woven wraps can be used in a variety of different ways, including front, hip, back and nursing carries. Stretchy wraps are a great starter wrap, but shouldn't be used to back wrap.
Pros: Wraps can be used in a variety of different ways, including hip, front, back and nursing carries. They can be used on children of any size. There is a lot of flexibility in this one carrier.
Cons: There is a learning curve to wraps. The long length of fabric can be bulky and will likely drag the ground when wrapping, which many find intimidating.
SOFT STRUCTURED CARRIERS
Soft structured carriers are also knows as buckle carriers or abbreviated to SSC. They are structured carriers that usually contain buckles.
Pros: SSCs are fairly easy to use and have a low learning curve. They are easy to get on and off with the buckles. They can also easily be adjusted to fit different care givers.
Cons: Hip carries tend to have more of a learning curve for the SSC. Some buckles can be uncomfortable or dig into the care giver.
MEI-TAI & ASIAN STYLE CARRIERS
Asian style carriers range from mei-tais to podegi carriers. They are a middle ground between wraps and soft structured carriers. They can be worn in hip, front, back and nursing carries.
Pros: They are fairly compact and easy to fold. They have a lower learning curve than a wrap and help avoid any seat-making issues.
Cons: Asian carriers are a middle between wraps and SSCs, this can be a disadvantage.
SLINGS
Slings are one shoulder carriers. They can be pouches, which are a single piece of fabric, or they can be looped through rings to create an adjustable carrier called a ring sling.
Pros: Slings are fairly easy to use and have a low learning curve. They are easy to use and can be left on and baby can be put in and pulled out easily.
Cons: All the weight from the child being carried onto one shoulder, which can be straining after long periods of wearing.