Benefits
Carrying your baby has so many benefits for your BABY:
* Your baby will feel safe and secure while you wear them.
* Your baby will cry less, comforted by the sound of your heart beat they grew to rely on in the womb.
* Your baby will be able to experience the world from our perspective and enjoy what is going on on around them.
* Your baby will develop a close bond with you.
* As a result, your BABY will be happier :)
Carrying your baby also has many benefits for YOU:
* You will be able to enjoy your baby and be close to your baby.
* You will have more time to accomplish daily tasks without feeling overwhelmed.
* You will develop a strong bond with your baby.
* You will be able to enjoy regular eye contact with your baby.
* You will be able to enjoy the sounds and noises your baby makes.
* As a result, YOU will be happier :)
Carrying your baby should be a fun and enjoyable experience for both of you. Many families start wearing their babies as soon as they are born!
Safety
Types of Carriers
There are many different types and styles of baby carriers available. Just as shopping for any product, you need to find which carrier type works best for you, your partner, and your baby at a specific stage in their development. As your baby grows and develops, yours and your baby’s needs may change. Often starting out with a wrap or sling for a newborn baby is a great way to welcome baby into the world and keep them close to you. Soft, flexible materials that put baby as close to your heart and body as possible are extremely beneficial for new babies. As baby grows and becomes heavier, moving towards a soft structured carrier or meh dai becomes more ideal. Baby can be worn on the front, back or even hip with these carriers. Many can support weights of up to 45 lbs, making them perfect for carrying around your toddler while hiking, walking to work or just around the house.
Wraps
A wrap carrier is a long piece of fabric that is either tied or wrapped around their caregiver's body. Wrap carriers are an excellent carrier for a newborn! They work wonderfully for older children as well when made of a woven material; however, this style of carrier allows you to wear your newborn safely and secure from the moment they are born. Head and neck support is easy with a wrap carriers – the material is wrapped around the baby to ensure security.
Stretchy wraps like the Boba Wrap are a simple and easy place to start when thinking about using wraps. Stretchy wraps are the perfect newborn wrap option and will keep you and baby comfy for up to 6 months.
Woven wraps like the Flora Wrap are a very versatile style of wrap that allow you to carry babies well into toddler hood and even into their preschool years. You can complete many different styles of carries with woven wrap: on the front, on the hip, and on the back.
Slings
Ring Slings are a piece of fabric designed to go over one shoulder and cross to the opposite hip. A ring is used to attach and adjust the fabric. A sling is an wonderful carrier for babies that like to be worn on the hip or for parents who want to nurse discretely. Newborns also enjoy being worn in a sling and feel very secure and close to the parent. Slings are not the best choice for parent’s who have back problems (much of the weight is carried on one side of the body). Slings are also ideal for quick uses, such as running in to the grocery store, going for a short walk to the convenience store or just around the house here and there. Because a sling is one shouldered, you may find that it does not give you a hands free feeling. If you are looking for a carrier to "get things done" around the house, we suggest a wrap or soft structured carrier. We love our True North Ring Slings - they are made in Canada with the softest linen!
Soft Structured Carriers
Soft Structured Carriers are two shouldered carriers that include a waist band. These carriers offer shape and form even when the carrier is not being worn. They look similar to a back pack. These carriers work especially well with older babies due to the fact that they offer more support.
Tula Free to Grow is a carrier that fits most easily and can be used with baby from 7-45 lbs. comfortably. It features a hood and small pocket on the waist belt. The infant insert is incorporated into the design and has three seat positions to accommodate baby as they grow! Baby can be worn inward front and inward back facing. Shoulder straps are worn back pack style only.
The Lillebaby is a supportive carrier with many additional features. It features a lumbar support pad on the back, a hood and head rest along with a pocket on the front. Infant insert is incorporated into the carrier and has two seat positions for baby as they grow. Baby can be worn inward front, outward front, inward back and hip carry position. Shoulders strap can be worn back pack style and criss crossed. The Lillebaby carries babies from 7-45 lbs.
The Ergo Baby 360 fits babies 12-45 lbs. It features a padded head rest on the front. There is no incorporated insert, therefore you must purchase an additional infant insert if you want to use it with newborns. Baby can be worn inward front, outward front, inward back and hip carry position. Shoulders strap can be worn back pack style or criss crossed.
The Original Ergo Baby Carrier fits babies from 12-45 lbs. It features a hood and large front pocket. There is no incorporated insert, therefore you must purchase an additional infant insert if you want to use it with newborns. Baby can be carried inward front and inward back facing. Shoulders strap can be worn back pack style.
Be sure to check out our Babywearing Tutorial Trial Program - a risk free way to determine which carrier is best for you and your family!