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How Do I Choose A Baby Carrier?

By: David Cummings Click author's name for more of his/her articles

Once you bring your new baby home, you begin to wonder how you are going to accomplish everything you need to do AND carry your baby at the same time. Many babies love contact with their parents, and baby carriers help moms and dads by providing babies the contact they need while providing parents the hands they need.

Keep in mind there may not be a right "one" carrier; sometimes different carriers are better for specific situations. Here is a summary of some of the most popular baby carriers available with some of the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

Some baby carriers allow you to "wear" your baby close to you. The most common of these carriers are baby slings. Baby slings are made of soft fabrics. They may be padded or unpadded. The sling generally refers to an adjustable, fabric carrier made of fabric with a ring that allows the wearer to lengthen or shorten a "tail" of fabric to fit the wearer of the sling and the baby they are carrying.

Proponents of baby slings as the baby carrier of choice say they are convenient, once you learn how to adjust them properly. One sling can adjust to any size adult caregiver, which is a plus. They are versatile and work well for nursing discreetly in public. There is a learning curve to figure out how to accurately adjust the fabric through the rings.

The baby pouch is another baby carrier which holds the baby close to the caregiver. The pouch is similar to the baby sling as it is made from a folded piece of cloth. However, the pouch uses a folded length of fabric, forming a pouch for the baby. It is unnecessary to adjust the carrier since the ends are fastened or sewn together. The pouch is easy to use, but needs to be properly fitted for a snug baby carry. It goes over one shoulder like the sling so your baby's weight is all on one side.

The mei tai carrier is another unstructured baby carrier. This Asian-inspired carrier is a soft carrier which has straps that fit over both shoulders, making it an ideal carrier for larger babies and toddlers. Although most wearers can fit a standard size, some manufacturers make extra large or small sizes as well. It's especially effective for a back carry, although not necessarily for a newborn.

A wrap is a baby carrier that can be very versatile. The long piece of fabric distributes the baby's weight over both shoulders, and it can be configured in many ways: back carry, hip, front, etc. If the wearer pre-ties the wrap, it can be used quickly for quick trips. However, the long piece of fabric can sometimes be bulky to store, and can be intimidating to a new user. There is a learning curve in mastering the different ties which are possible with the wrap style carrier.

Besides these soft, baby-wearing baby carriers, there are a variety of framed and unframed backpacks and front carriers for outdoor adventures. No matter which you choose, you and your baby will enjoy the closeness, bonding and convenience baby carriers provide you and your family.

Article Source: ABC Article Directory

About The Author: David Cummings is a devoted husband and father who regularly writes on a variety of family topics. He is committed to helping parents create more-enjoyable family time and to working with children-oriented organizations. David is also the General Manager for BustlingBaby.com - a company that offers convenient baby ring slings and backpack baby carriers as well as other necessary mobility products.