As you know, I am a big proponent of babywearing. I believe that it not only is the best for baby, but it also makes life a lot easier especially in the beginning… and it really is an integral part of my parenting belief.

So what are my favourites…

1. ~A Wrap~

My favourite is a good length woven wrap that doesn’t have much (or any) stretch… (such as Storchenwiege, Didymos or even the thinner Ellaroo among many others….)

Ease of use: Though they do have a learning curve and many people are frightened by the amount of material (on average about 5 metres long) I believe that they are the most versatile and the most comfortable carrier also…

Positions:  They are great for newborn carries, breastfeeding (cradle), front carries, hip carries, back carries and pretty much way you could imagine wearing a baby…

What ages: Although stretchy wraps (Moby, Cuddly wrap, Maman Kangourou etc) are great for newborns and the first weeks or even a few months if the baby is small, they do not hold up for large babies… And in my experience, people who have bought a stretchy wrap as their only carrier, as the baby grows they are more likely to give up on baby wearing because it becomes uncomfortable or they need to invest in another carrier after a few months.

2. ~A Sling~

Though I didn’t use my sling at all with Khéna a sling is an amazing carrier… simple yet versatile. It was my first carrier and the one that I used the most often for quite a long time. However, they are not the best carrier for long periods of time nor are they the best for larger babies. All the weight is on one shoulder so even if the sling is positioned well after a while you start feeling the weight more.

Ease of use: They are great for quick in and outs, pretty easy to learn how to use and pretty versatile..

Positions: Great for newborn and breastfeeding (cradle) positions and then for front positions facing in or the Buddha position facing out and great for the hip position….

What ages: Newborn to toddler and even longer depending on weight…

3. ~A Mei Tai or other Asian inspired structured carriers~ (Ergo, Beco etc)

Though this is third on my list it is Simon’s favourite carrier… I have a Babyhawk and I used to have an Ergo and I love how easy they are to use and many people love them… like Simon who wears Khéna in the Babyhawk on a regular basis but personally they don’t fit my body type… I wish they did because they are quicker than the wrap to get on for back carries (though I think that I can wrap almost as quickly now) and they are pretty comfortable for those whose body types do work well with them.. I think that with next baby I might try to make one with “wrap like” wide shoulder straps to see if that would be better…

Ease of use: Pretty easy to use and best for quick in and outs in the back position.

Positions: facing in on the front or on back or cradle position with the newborn insert.

What ages: These are not very good for newborns or in the first months without special inserts… They are great however for older babies, toddlers and even “pre-schoolers” and I have to admit that for quick in-and-outs from and to a parents back they are easier than the wrap…

4. ~Pouch~

Pouches are at the bottom of my list… sure they can look stylish and are seen a lot… they are easy to put on and easy to use… but they also have to be fitted right so they most often cannot be used by both parents and post partum size can change so it the size that you buy at first might not be the size you need a few months later…Again, the one shoulder use, means that you will eventually get some shoulder strain after a while…

Ease of use: very easy which is probably why they are so popular…

Positions: facing in on the front, hip, facing out in the Buddha position or cradle for breastfeeding.

What ages: Newborn to smaller toddler.

Possibly Related Posts:

• Full day…
• lemons… lemonade…
• Week two…
• Week one…
• New stroller…