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Having a baby brings a new set of challenges for you and your family. You need to find a way to transport your new addition to help make your life easier. Baby carriers are an excellent way keep your baby close to you and still have flexibility. There are many different carriers to choose from and determining which is right for you and your family may seem a bit daunting. Here are some ideas to help you make the choice which will fit your needs.
Keep in mind there may not be a right "one" carrier; you may want to have a couple of different carriers for different situations. Here is a summary of some of the most popular baby carriers available with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.
Some baby carriers allow you to "wear" your baby close to you. The most common of these carriers are baby slings. Baby slings are made of soft fabrics. They may be padded or unpadded. The sling generally refers to an adjustable, fabric carrier made of fabric with a ring that allows the wearer to lengthen or shorten a "tail" of fabric to fit the wearer of the sling and the baby they are carrying.
Once you learn how to properly adjust them, proponents of baby slings say they are the carrier of choice. One sling can adjust to any size adult caregiver, which is a plus. They are versatile and work well for nursing discreetly in public. There is a learning curve to figure out how to accurately adjust the fabric through the rings.
Another baby carrier that holds the baby close to the caregiver is the baby pouch. Similar to the baby sling, the pouch is made from a folded piece of cloth. However, the pouch uses a folded length of fabric, forming a pouch for the baby. The ends are fastened or sewn together, so that it is unnecessary to adjust the carrier. The pouch is easy to use, but needs to be properly fitted for a snug baby carry. It goes over one shoulder like the sling so your baby's weight is all on one side.
Another unstructured baby carrier is the mei tai carrier. This Asian-inspired carrier is a soft carrier which has straps that fit over both shoulders, making it an ideal carrier for larger babies and toddlers. Although most wearers can fit a standard size, some manufacturers make extra large or small sizes as well. It's especially effective for a back carry, although not necessarily for a newborn.
A wrap is a baby carrier that can be very versatile. The long piece of fabric distributes the baby's weight over both shoulders, and it can be configured in many ways: back carry, hip, front, etc. If the wearer pre-ties the wrap, it can be used quickly for quick trips. However, the long piece of fabric can sometimes be bulky to store, and can be intimidating to a new user. There is a learning curve in mastering the different ties which are possible with the wrap style carrier.
Besides these soft, baby-wearing baby carriers, there are a variety of framed and unframed backpacks and front carriers for outdoor adventures. No matter which you choose, you and your baby will enjoy the closeness, bonding and convenience baby carriers provide you and your family.
