As much as we want to snuggle with our baby all day and sniff in their irresistible smell, we know that it’s not always possible as we need our hands to get on with our daily lives. Unless you use a baby carrier, of course.
Babywearing lets you keep your baby close to you while having your hands free to eat, work and even entertain older siblings. Baby carriers can be confusing as they come in many different types to suit different preferences.
Here are some of our favourite ergonomic baby carriers to bond with our little bundle of joy:
Buckle Baby Carrier
Buckle carriers are very user-friendly and a great way to start babywearing. All you have to do is put them on, place baby in the seat and fasten the buckles. Not all carriers are created equally though, with some more suitable for petite wearers and others more comfortable for broader shoulders.
Ergobaby Embrace
Features:
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- Soft, comfortable material
- Combines the cosiness of a soft wrap with the simplicity of a structured carrier
- Compact fold to fit in your diaper bag
- Spreadable shoulder straps
Price: $144
Baby Bjorn Baby Carrier One
Features:
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- Inbuilt infant insert
- 4 front and back carrying positions
- Sturdy waist belt to relieve pressure on back and shoulders
Price: $329
Tula Explore
Features:
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- Multiple carry positions including front facing out, facing in, and back carry
- Adjustable carrier from newborn to toddler
- Versatile carrier to fit all body types
- Mesh option available for better air flow
Price: $239
Wrap Baby Carrier
Wrap carriers are traditionally long pieces of fabric that you use to wrap around your body to create a pouch for carrying baby. It’s comfortable and versatile as the cloth can be used in a variety of ways and tied to fit any size.
If long pieces of fabric aren’t your thing, you still can enjoy the comfort of wrap carriers with instant wraps that you put on like a t-shirt without the hassle of tying the cloth around you.
Didymos Woven Wrap Prima Sole Occidente
Features:
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- 100% organic cotton
- Lightweight yet supportive for newborns and big kids
- Machine washable
Price: from $180
Ring Sling Baby Carrier
Similar to baby wraps, ring slings are also made from a piece of long fabric. The difference though, is that the fabric is threaded through two rings to create a pouch to put baby in.
Ring slings are very adjustable and can fit children of all sizes, from tiny newborns to independent toddlers.
However, because ring slings rest on only one shoulder, you might find that it does not support heavy kids as much as two shoulder carriers like wraps and buckle carriers.
We love ring slings for quick ups and downs though, as it’s easy to put on and adjust.
Little Frog Ring Sling
Features:
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- 100% cotton
- Broken twill weave
- Aluminium rings
- Different coloured top and bottom rails for easy wearing
Price: $89
Rules for Safe Babywearing
While babywearing might seem like a natural thing to do, here are some things to ensure your little one is safe in your carrier:
- Keep your baby tight in the carrier, and avoid loose fabric and straps as this can cause your child to slump in the carrier and hinder their breathing.
- Baby should also always be in view at all times so you can see their face by simply glancing down.
- Baby’s head should be as close to your chin as possible that you can kiss their head without having to bend too far forward
- Always ensure that baby’s chin is off their chest as this can restrict their breathing.
- The back of your baby should always be supported by the carrier to prevent slumping or falling out.