When I first became a Mom, I read about all the benefits of babywearing and knew that I wanted to keep my baby close and reap all the benefits of carrying her around. However, the more I researched, the more confused I got! Which carrier did I want? How does one carrier cost so much? What if I buy it and it doesn’t work for my body? Can I even babywear after all?
After three babies and trying numerous baby carriers, I wanted to share what I have learned. This is simply a basic overview of babywearing: the main types of carriers, their cost, some pros and cons of each and some recommended brands.
Ring Sling
Age: newborn-toddler
Cost: $-$$
Pros:
- Quick and simple to get on and off
- Easily adjustable for different people to wear the baby
- Easy to nurse the baby
- One piece of cloth that folds up and can fit in a diaper bag or purse
Cons:
- Not as comfortable if wearing baby for a long time
- Usually at least one hand is still occupied while wearing baby
Brands to look for: Homemade, Sakura Bloom
Stretchy Wrap
Age: best for newborn, but can be used up to 25 pounds
Cost: $
Pros:
- Baby is held tight and snug (resembling the womb)
- Easily adjustable for different people to wear
- One piece of cloth that folds up and can fit in a diaper bag
Cons:
- The piece of cloth is extremely long and can be hard to figure out how to tie
- Not as sturdy for heavier children beyond the newborn stage
Brands to look for: Moby, Boba, Homemade
Woven Wrap
Age: newborn- toddler
Cost: $$-$$$
Pros:
- One piece of cloth that folds up and can fit in a diaper bag
- Adjustable for more than one person to wear
- Strong fabric makes it able to support even a toddler
- Gorgeous, colorful fabrics
- Extremely versatile- the baby can be worn in the front, back or side.
Cons:
- One long piece of cloth takes practice tying and adjusting
- Woven wraps are made of material that is often more expensive
Brands to look for: Elleville Zara, Oscha Woven Wrap
Tie Carrier
Age: 6 months- toddler
Cost: $
Pros:
- Cost effective
- Is not bulky and can be folded up
Cons:
- Not supportive on the back and shoulders
- Long tie can often drag on the ground and be hard to manage
Brands to look for: Infantino, Homemade
Buckle Carrier
Age: newborn-toddler
Cost: $-$$$
Pros:
- Cost effective
- Comfortable on the shoulders and back, especially for longer periods of time
- Very easy to put on and adjust
- Versatile for newborn all the way through toddler
Cons:
- Adjusted to only one person at a time
- Cannot be folded to fit into a bag; bulky
Brands to look for: Ergo, Tula
External Frame
Cost: $$$
Age: 6 months- toddler
Pros:
- Great for long hikes
- Extremely supportive on back and shoulders
- Extra pockets perfect for day hikes or overnight camping
Cons:
- Bulky
- Expensive
- Cannot be used until the child can sit up on their own
Brands to look for: Kelty, Osprey
A few babywearing 101 tips:
- If at all possible, find a store that sells multiple carriers and try them all! What works for one person may not work for you!
- In my experience, you get what you pay for. Some brands are much more expensive, but provide much more support or last longer. Don’t go cheap with a baby carrier.
- Do your research on hip dysplasia and how a baby should be situated in a carrier. Newborns should be supported differently than a toddler.
- Practice, practice, practice! It may take a few tries before you get it right, especially in the wrap carriers.
I love baby wearing! My favorites are the Infantino Mei Tai and the Ergo! 🙂
What a great and comprehensive list this is! I’ve only ever used the ergo but I would definitely like to try some different styles if we are blessed to expand our family in the future!
Great post, especially for babywearing newbies! I absolutely love my Ergo and ring sling. I was actually surprised at how long I have been able to use the ring sling and it’s so simple to use.
I couldn’t live without our Sakura Bloom ring sling! #babywearingforthewin 🙌
This is great! I love babywearing too! Thank you for these tips!
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