Best Baby Carriers: For infants, toddlers, and the parents who carry them!
New parents frequently ask me about my baby carrier recommendations. They want to know what types of carriers are best, how to wear them, how long their baby can stay in the carrier, how to be more comfortable in a carrier, the list goes on.
First thing is first: most modern baby carriers and devices are safe for you and your baby as long as you wear them correctly.
Figuring out which carrier works best for you can take a little bit of trial and error. Each carrier is going to fit differently on different bodies, and to be frank…your baby might have more to say about the carrier than you do!
How do you wear a baby carrier?
The best thing you can do is read the manual that comes with your baby carrier and find video tutorials online to walk you through how to wear your specific baby carrier. I created a quick video to give you an idea of what my favorite baby carriers look like here!
Make sure your baby…
- Can move their head, arms, and legs.
- Is supported around the thighs and hips. Their knees should be perpendicular or higher than their hips with a solid support underneath their upper legs and bottom.
- Meets the height and weight requirements according to the carrier manufacturer.
- Has been cleared by their pediatrician to be held in a baby carrier.
Baby carriers and parenting posture
Wearing your baby should be a comfortable experience! Make sure you’re focusing on correct posture while wearing your baby to prevent injury, soreness, and discomfort from your carrier.
One of the most common mistakes people make with a carrier is slouching or sticking their hip out to one side, as if they’re trying to hold the baby on their hip.
Think about stacking your shoulders over ribs over hips while you baby wear. This can feel like you are falling forward when you first start! You might feel like you have to scoop your hips forward to stay in line. Try not to tuck your booty too far underneath you or squeeze your butt while standing. Also make sure you’re not sticking your rear out or puffing your chest out.
Don’t forget to breathe! Take deep belly breaths and make sure you’re focused on stabilizing your core.
How long should baby be in the carrier?
As long as you’re both comfortable! If you and your baby are both feeling good and supported, there’s no magic time limit. If the carrier is uncomfortable or tiring for you, try it on for short periods of time (as little as 5-10 minutes) and progress your time as you get used to carrying the baby.
Back pain, pelvic heaviness, leaking or an inability to keep good posture would be a reason to stop wearing or switch with your partner! If you ever start to feel pain in your shoulders, low back, or hips, stop wearing the baby carrier and consult a physical therapist immediately!
What is the best baby carrier?
Whichever one fits your body and your baby’s body, best! I’ve used and recommended four different carriers for a variety of reasons. But, there is no science to this. It’s all about trying a few on and deciding which one is most comfortable for you!
These are the carriers I’ve used successfully…
Ring sling: I personally think this one is adorable. It’s comfortable and very easy to adjust even if the baby is already in it. Because it’s so easy to adjust, it’s also easy to switch from one partner to another.
Tushbaby: Super simple and great for kids of all sizes! This one is really helpful once kids are more mobile and constantly want to get up and down on mom’s hip. Use code WellCore15 for 15% off!
Ergobaby: This carrier works really well for carrying your little one on your front or back! It’s super simple and quickly clips on and off, and adjusts similarly to a backpack. Best use for one partner since it takes a bit to adjust it. Great for long walks and hiking as it distributes weight well across your front or back.
Moby wrap: This one is comfortable and easily adjusts to fit lots of different sizes and shapes! There is a little bit of a learning curve, but online tutorials help a ton. The thing about the Moby is that it’s best used for newborns, so it’s not quite as versatile as some of the others.
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