Delving into the world of baby carriers can be pretty overwhelming. There are so many styles of carrier, so many different brands and so many contradicting opinions.
Hopefully this little summary of different carrier styles will give you the basics to begin to point you in the direction of the type of carrier you want. But if you are still feeling completely lost after reading this article, give me a call. I would be happy to help clarify things for you!
A stretchy wrap is a long length of fabric which you wrap around your self to hold baby on your chest. As is suggested by the name, this style of wrap is made of fabric that has stretch properties. This allows you to pre-tie the wrap and then slip baby in and out of the carrier as needed.
A stretchy wrap is a perfect option for newborns, as they are very soft on newborn skin and can give a perfect fit to even a very small newborn with the appropriate technique.
As your child gets heavier though you will find that your stretchy wrap is no longer quite as supportive as it once was, and you will want to look for a more structured carrying option.
When you are looking to choose a stretchy wrap some properties to consider is how firm the stretch and rebound is, and in what direction the stretch falls. All stretchy wraps have stretch along their width, but some also have stretch along their length, and indeed diagonally across the fabric. These properties will determine the technique you use to tighten the wrap and the range of weight that you can comfortably carry with the wrap.
A buckle carrier or soft structured carrier is what most people think of when you talk about baby carriers. They consist of a back panel which supports baby's body and a waistband and shoulder straps hold the carrier to your body.
This style of carrier generally allows for less variability in how you carry your child than a wrap type carrier. However, they are very popular as they are easier to learn to use and adjust correctly.
Buckle carriers can be found at many baby shops and departments stores and the ergonomics and functions of different models vary widely. Because of this, it is a good idea to trial a potential purchase for fit and comfort before buying.
.
A ring sling is a short length of woven fabric with two rings sewn into one end.
A good quality ring sling will generally have aluminum rings which have no weld or join to form a weak spot in the metal, making them extra strong.
You can use a ring sling from birth, with young babies being worn centrally on your body. As your child grows the ring sling can also be used to carry your child at your hip. It is also possible to wear toddlers and older children with a ring sling, provided they fall within the weight range recommended by the manufacturer.
One of the great benefits of ring slings is that they pack down small and are quick and easy to put on. This makes them my carrier of choice for toddlers and preschoolers who are stretching their independence but perhaps don't quite have the stamina to complete a whole outing under their own power.
A woven wrap is a length of fabric woven for strength and comfort, which you wrap around yourself and baby. It is one of the most versatile babywearing options, but the one with perhaps the steepest learning curve. They can vary in length from as short as 2m to over 6m.
The thing l love about a woven wrap is that just one wrap can do many different styles of carry for all age ranges, from newborn right up to an adult if you had the strength to carry them! With a woven wrap you can even do tandem carry's for siblings or twins.
Meh Dai are based on traditional Chinese carriers. The consist of a back panel and wrap straps which secure around the waist and shoulders. Some consider them a good middle ground between the ease of a buckle carrier and the comfort of a woven wrap, as many are made with the same plush fabric of a woven wrap.
The shoulder straps of a meh dai can be more structured and padded, or be wrap straps which are a single layer of fabric which moulds to your body. Because the straps tie instead of buckling, there is more versatility with how they can be worn.
A half buckle is a variant on a meh dai which has a buckle waist, but still has tied shoulder straps.
Our modern onbuhimo carriers are based on a traditional Japanese carrier.
They consist of a back panel and shoulder straps, but no waist band.
Because there is no waistband, the fabric at the base of the carrier comes up between you and your child and the shoulder straps help to hold it up there. This means that your child's legs go through the arm straps too.
Generally onbuhimo are used for a high back carry, with your child's shoulders level with yours. However there are some onbuhimo carriers available overseas which are designed for both front and back carrys.
This is a great option for quick up and down carries with toddlers, for when you are pregnant to avoid the discomfort of a waistband around a growing belly, and to avoid clashing straps when tandem carrying.
When you are the parent of twins it is even more important that you have options that allow you to keep your children close and your hands free. Though there are a number of different carriers that can be combined to carry two children at once, a dedicated twin carrier simplifies the process of carrying two children at once.
In our Joy Riders carrier library we have both a weego and minimonkey twin carriers that you can try, before deciding if twin babywearing is the way to go.
Hiking carriers are a whole different type of baby carrier. Your child is carried quite high and their weight is further away from your center of gravity, so this can affect your balance a fair bit. However they generally come with generous storage compartments, and because the child is not sitting directly against your body they can be a cooler option for walks and hikes than the other options above. Just be mindful that some hiking carriers, particularly older models do not always provide the most ergonomic seat for your child. So make sure to check how the carrier fits your child, as well as seeing how comfortable it is for you before purchasing.
With so many carrying options it can sometimes be hard to choose just one style. Indeed I have a few different go to carriers, and the style I reach for depends on what I plan to do....
A buckle carrier for long days carrying, a ring sling for quick ups at the shops, an onbuhimo for tandem carrying and of course the stretchy wrap for the cosy newborn days.