Baby Carriers Buying Guide

Baby carriers  are a great hands-free way to tote your little one. Not only do carriers grant increased mobility, which parents will find make shopping and running other errands much easier to do, but it increases intimacy as well. Placing a baby in a carrier can often calm even the fussiest baby and lull him to sleep. Feeling protective is natural. Baby carriers allow you to keep your baby close to your body, as opposed to down and away from you in a stroller. Here are the three types of baby carriers available:

Types of Baby Carriers
Sling Baby Carriers	Front Baby Carriers	Backpack Baby Carriers
Prices range from $30-$40. Styles vary and distribute weight from shoulders to lower back and hips. Ideal for breastfeeding mothers. Available in lightweight breathable fabrics. Slings don't have safety restraints. Fasten the harness and take extra caution against vigorous activity.	Consists of two shoulder straps and a supporting fabric seat. With a proper head support, can be used for newborns. Can hold up to 30 pounds. Wide price range $25-$85. Most can face both inward (for infants and napping babies) and outward (for older babies).	Good for when your baby can sit up alone (about six months). Require more storage space. Can support up to 40 pounds. Offers lower-back support. Can't see baby when they are placed in carrier. Prices start at $40. Models with extra bells and whistles can cost up to $300.

Things to Consider...

• Try before you buy. Be sure to place the baby in the carrier when testing the product.
• Verify that you have the right kind of carrier for your baby's age and size. Infants and newborns need proper head and neck support in any carrier.
• Find a carrier with a removable, washable fabric.
• If others will be using the carrier, make sure it is adjustable.
• Get a carrier that you can load your baby into and out of easily on your own. The backpacks are the trickiest to get the hang of, so make sure you get plenty of practice!
• When your child hits 40 pounds, graduate to a stroller.

Features

Here are a few different features a baby carrier might have. Consider how you will be using the carrier before spending money on these extra features.

• Removable Storage Pockets  -- May come in handy if you need easy access to money or credit cards.
• Side Entry Buckles  -- Makes loading and unloading easy for the front carriers. 
• Extra Padding  -- May be good for front carriers,  but will just become bulky in sling carriers. 
• Adjustable Lumbar Support  -- Could be worth the extra money to spare your back.
• Removable Front  -- Will allow you to lay down your sleeping baby without waking him or her.
• Size Adjustment Buckle  -- Allows the carrier to grow with your baby, making it usable longer.

Top Names in Infant Wearing Devices

• Baby Bjorn 
• Evenflo 
• Infantino 
• Maya Wrap 
• Kelty 

External Links

• ConsumerSearch -- Lots of reviews; they recommend the Baby Bjorn carriers.