Getting Carried Away: Baby Carriers

So the big stroller decision has been made, but stroller aside, there are times when you just want to pick up the baby and go. A baby carrier is a fantastic solution, not only allowing you to keep your hands free for housework or shopping, but also for soothing the baby (and even a bit of sneaky breast feeding!). As with most baby kit these days, the options are endless, but fortunately I was able to attend a baby carrier demonstration session led by Samantha Van Norman of SnugBugs, to get the lowdown.

Much like strollers, I found myself approaching the baby carrier decision with the view that there must be one ideal product out there to cover all the bases. Yet again, I was proved wrong! For a start, not all carriers are suitable from birth. Second, some are much more geared towards women than men, whether aesthetically or from a breast-feeding point of view. And then there’s the small matter of what the baby likes. You could spend a fortune only to find out that your little bundle of joy can’t stand being in the carrier.

Pouch Slings

One of the simplest carriers out there, the pouch sling is basically a hoop of fabric which goes from shoulder to waist. At around $50 or less, they are one of the cheapest carriers out there, and come in a large range of funky designs. At the demonstration I attended all of the babies loved these – several of them went straight off to sleep! On the downside, pouch slings are sized to fit the wearer not the baby, so may not be suitable for both parents. The designs tend to be more feminine anyway – Dom’s initial reaction was “I’m not wearing one of those!”

Ring Slings

Easily the most stylish option, these look fabulous. However several ladies in our demonstration group experienced trouble using them. First, the rings really need to be metal to allow the fabric to glide effectively for adjustment. Even then, these slings did not seem very easy to set up and one baby nearly fell right out! A case of style over substance in my opinion.

Wrap Slings

Essentially just a long length of fabric, wrap slings offer endless options for how to carry a baby. But as you can imagine, they are trickier to get to grips with and after a trial run with a plastic doll I just couldn’t see either me or Dom having the patience.

Baby Sling Safety

A final word on slings: the safety of baby slings was called into question earlier this year following the recall of 1m Slingrider slings due to 3 cases of suffocation. The US Consumer Product Safety Commission released a general warning about the dangers of baby slings, citing risks from the fabric pressing against the baby’s mouth and nose – and also from carrying the baby in a ‘C’ shaped position, whereby the head and chest are pressed together, leading to suffocation. When buying a sling, particularly the pouch kind, it is important to check the sizing. If the sling is too big, the baby could be swamped by fabric or slung too low beneath the breasts, both of which could contribute towards the suffocation risks described.

Mei Tai Carriers

The Asian version of the Baby Bjorn, the Mei Tai is an apron-like fabric carrier which fastens by tying long straps around the shoulder and waist Suitable from birth, they’re cheaper, more lightweight and foldable compared with the structured carriers, and are apparently quite good for a bit of covert breast-feeding. And unlike baby slings, the weight is evenly distributed across both shoulders.

Soft Structured Carriers

Perhaps the most popular type of baby carriers, these are more suitable for slightly older babies (3 months +), despite what the manufacturers might claim. (Remember a very small baby can’t support its head properly). The easy clip-on buckles and choice of neutral designs make them more ‘Dad friendly’ and many can be worn on the front or back, giving more flexibility.

Baby Bjorn leads the way when it comes to structured carriers, but at a price. Also, Baby Bjorn makes the baby hang from its groin area, which is not ideal. The Ergo carrier, on the other hand, allows the baby to hang from its bum – bum down, knees bent up – a more natural position for a baby. As for the debate of outward or inward baby facing options, we were advised that while you might think that a baby being able to look at its surroundings is a plus, the downside is that they can get over-stimulated. If the baby is facing you it will be calmer, easier to soothe and settle to sleep.

http://www.snugbugs.com.sg/