Types of Carriers and Choosing

There are so many baby carriers available on the market today it can be quite confusing for parents to decide on one particular type. We try to explain the features of different types of baby carriers and hope it might help you with your decision, which carrier would be the best for you and your baby. You can also check the FAQ for more information and if you still have questions, feel free to email us at info@naturalmothering.co.uk.

It is hard to split the carriers in different categories as there are so many of them and the features of some can place them across different categories. We have used our observation and our experience. This is not an 'official' categorization as we believe one does not really exist - but do correct me, please. In the end we split the baby carriers into the following categories:

Slings:
· Ring Slings
o Padded
o Unpadded

· Tie slings / rebozo

Pouches:
· Adjustable
· Non-adjustable

Wraparounds:
· Stretchy
· Woven

Front/back carriers:
· Soft carriers
· Solid/frame back carriers

Hip Carriers

Slings

Slings are one of the most used baby carriers. Slings fit over one shoulder and around the hip of the opposite hip. The baby is carried in the pouch or folds of the fabric in a variety of positions: side, front or back (front can be facing out or lying in the pouch). Slings are usually suitable from newborn (not all positions) through toddlerhood, so this type of baby carrier can really serve you through all of baby's carrying period. They are usually made of cotton (with some exceptions, such as the ones you can use in the water) and come in a variety of beautiful colours, patterns and prints.

Ring Slings
are fitted with a ring on one side through which the fabric is threaded to create a pouch. You can adjust the size and, in some cases, the shape of the pouch by pulling the fabric or the tail of the sling through the ring. Ring slings are relatively easy to use and you can breastfeed in them.
Padded, structured ring slings have some padding around the edges and sometimes on the shoulder to create a cushion effect for the carrier and minimize pressure points. This makes them bulkier and less adjustable than non padded ones. Further, some of them have the tail sewn together, which also decreases the adjustability. The more padding, however, the comfier on the carrier's shoulder.
Some example`s of the padded ring slings with the tail sewn together are: Over-the-Shoulder-Baby-Holder, Huggababy, NoJo

Slightly padded ring slings have the fabric sewn into a fan where the fabric is threaded and attached to the rings. The fabric is then spread across the shoulder and the tail left loose. You can adjust the shape of the pouch by pulling the fabric/rims of the tail through the rings at different points as needed. An example of this is Ellaroo Lightly Padded Sling, one of our absolute favourites.

Advantages
They are relatively easy to use so are great for beginners. As with all baby carriers, there may be a learning curve to it.
Variety of positions: tummy to tummy, hip, vertical face in, vertical face out, etc.
You can breastfeed in them
Because they are adjustable, they can be used by different sized people, so you may only need one between mommy and daddy
Most are machine washable

Disadvantages
Padded slings can be bulky and the top rail can be harder to adjust. Some people find it uncomfortable when baby is bigger as it spread just over one shoulder.

Unpadded ring slings have the fabric folded into a fan and sewn together through the rings. The tail is loose. This creates a fan effect. You can spread the folds of the fabric over the shoulder to spread the weight of the baby. The tail is left loose and is threaded through the two rings. The fabric can then be tightened as needed by pulling the fabric of the tail, so you can independently adjust the top hem or bottom hem or middle of the created pouch. For example, if you carry your baby tummy to tummy in the front your top hem will not be as tightly pulled as if you carry baby in vertical hip carry, where you need to hold your baby's bdoy firmly against yours for maximum comfort. One of the most popular of these slings is Maya Wrap.

Advantages:
· They are relatively easy to use so great for beginners. As with all baby carriers, there may be a learning curve to it.
· Variety of positions: tummy to tummy, hip, vertical face in, vertical face out, etc.
· You can breastfeed in them
· Because they are adjustable, they can be used by different sized people, so you may only need one between mommy and daddy
· Most are machine washable
· Less bulky

Disadvantages:
· Some people find the lack of padding less comfortable.

Tie Slings
Or rebozos are atually just a long shawl. Traditionally used in Mexico (rebozo = shawl) for a variety of purposes, they are beautiful and versatile. You create a sling by tying the rebozo in a knot as needed. Traditionally, they were not tied, however, but twisted and tucked. These are very versatile and in reality any long piece of fabric can become a baby carrier. When not tied, it can be used as a blanket, changing mat, shawl - whatever you need.

Advantages:
· Any piece of durable fabric can become a baby carrier - just choose big enough, breathable material that is easy enough to knot.
· Very versatile
· Many positions
· Size of person that is using it does not matter as it just needs retying if daddy is carrying the baby

Disadvantages
· Learning to tie it securily can take time
· If you tied it too loosely and the sling is too big, you need to take the baby out to retie the shawl.

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Pouches

Pouches are very easy to use. They are just tube-shaped slings, sewn together. They have a built in pouch and they are very secure. It does not take long to learn to use a pouch as you just put it on and pop the baby in and out.
There are two types of pouches: adjustable and non-adjustable.

Non adjustable
come in a variety of sizes and it is important you choose the right one (if in doubt, go for smaller). They are compact, there is nothing to fiddle with or adjust, so great for beginners or occasional users (for example, grandparents). But if you are worried you will need a bigger pouch as your baby grows - don't! The non adjustable pouches will see your baby through newborn to toddlerhood. It does sound unusual, but if you think about it - you have to fit whole of the newborn in to start with. And then, as they grow, they want to have their heads, hands and legs out to be free to observe, touch, point, etc. In effect, you will probably have the same 'weight or size' of the baby in the pouch all the time, only there is going to be smaller proportion of whole body in it.Some examples are: The New Native Baby Carrier, MamaKangaroo, Chic Papoose, Gypsy Mama.

Adjustable pouches
These are great if two different sized people are using the same pouch so you can readjust it (you have to do that BEFORE you put the baby in). Again, you do not needto buy a bigger pouch as baby grows. Good examples of adjustable pouches are: Maya Wrap Pouch, Mamma's Milk Adjustable Pouch.

Advantages:
Very easy to use, perfect for beginners
Most compact of all, they can easily fit in your bag
Baby can be put in and out really easy without a need to readjust
Cheaper than other carriers

Disadvantages:
Harder to do vertical position as you can not adjust the top rail
Unless adjustable, they are suitable for one user only as they need to be the correct size to fit snugly.

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Wraparounds

Wraparounds are long pieces of fabric, that you (as the name suggests) wrap around you and your baby, so you can babywear the little one in one of many positions: front, hip and back. They are really great for newborns as they offer good support. Front tummy-to-tummy carry in wraparounds are especially good for newborns and premature babies in particular, promoting Kangaroo Mother Care (for more information, go to Kangaroo Mother Care). The wraparounds are really great for distributing weight as you have baby supported on both shoulders. We believe these are ones of most versatile and comfortable carriers, suitable even for a long walk. They are also breastfeeding friendly. You will need to learn how to wrap them and although the length of it might seem daunting at first, they are surprisingly easy to learn. Some mothers wear them all the day, even when the baby is not in.

Woven Wraps
Woven wraparounds offer firmer support, but they are less stretchy. They usually come in variety of lengths and you choose the size based on your height AND weight. You can find the sizing charts usually with each wrap. If two different sized people will be using it, you can go for larger size and the smaller babywearer just tucks the extra length away. Woven wraparounds are suitable even for heavier children. Some examples of woven wraparounds are Didymos, Girasol, Ellaroo Wrap, Extra Long Rebozo (longer than normal rebozo, which you use as a sling, the extra length allowing for wrapping around you and your baby).

Stretchy Wraps
Fabric of these wraparounds is very elastic, giving them a nice bounce. You can wrap it around you and than pop the baby in and out as needed, without a need to wrap it again (unless you want to change carrying position). In effect, you can have the wrap on all day. It is also very easy to breastfeed with stretchy wraps. They, however, may give less support to heavier toddlers. Some examples of stretchy wraps are: Hug-a-bub, Moby Wrap, MamaKangaroo.

Advantages:
Very versatile, many positions possible
Breastfeeding Friendly
Suitable from birth through toddlerhood
Lightweight
Both shoulders support
Stretchy is one size fits all

Disadvantages
It can take time and confidence to learn some of the tying techniques, such as back carry on your own. Some people do not like being wrapped in fabric.

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Front/Back Carriers

These babycarriers are made for simple front or back carry, baby facing in or out. They range from simple designs, which is nothing more than a piece of fabric with straps that you tie, to more constructed ones that you either tie or clip. They are worn over both shoulders, thus distributing the weight of the baby, but not all are suitable from birth. The ones you can use from birth, you do it in front carry.

Soft carriers
The most simple are basically just a rectangular piece of fabric with straps coming off the corners. They are easy to use and can come in a selection of beautiful fabrics and designs. A good example is Ellaroo Mei Tai and podaegi, traditional Asian baby carriers.
More structured ones may have buckles and padded straps as well as shaped sitting/baby carrying part. These are usually the ones that modern western parents most associate with baby carriers and are very easy to use, thus suitable for beginners. It is possible to breastfeed in front positions, but not everyone finds it easy. Good examples of soft structured carriers are Wilkinet (suitable from birth), Patapum Baby Carrier and Patapum Toddler Carrier , ERGO, BabyBjorn (which is only front carry)

Advantages
Easy to use
Distributes weight well, so comfortable for older child
Simple ones are compact

Disadvantages
Positions limited to back and front
Not always suitable from birth

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Solid/frame back carriers

These are only back carriers. They are bulky, suitable for older children. The weight is distributed over both shoulders. These are very good and very popular for more serious hiking and trekking. We do not stock any of these, but a good example is Bushbaby Premier Baby/Child Carrier.

Hip Carriers

These are used to carry your child on your hip. These are suitable for babies with good head control, usually over 4 months old. These are good for a toddler, for example, who enjoys walking but can get tired. We do not stock any of these, good examples are Hippy Chick and Ellaroo Mei Hip Baby Carrier.

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