Welcome to Newborn Tips, if you are looking for the best way to carry your baby always with you, then baby carriers could be the perfect solution!
In this article you will discover what they are, how to best use them for the comfort of infants, what advantages they offer both for the parent and the baby and how to choose the model that best suits your needs. In addition, we will suggest five best baby carrier models available on Amazon to help you with your purchase.
Table of contents
What is a baby carrier and what is it for?
To start, a baby carrier is an ergonomic support designed to carry the baby close to the parent’s body in a safe and comfortable way.
It is a practical alternative to the stroller that promotes physical contact, helping to strengthen the bond between parent and child.
In addition, this accessory allows the baby’s weight to be distributed in a balanced way, reducing back and arm fatigue.
In addition to this, the baby carrier offers freedom of movement to parents, allowing them to carry out daily activities without giving up contact with the little one. It can be used from the first months of life, choosing the most suitable model based on the age and weight of the infant.
Ergonomic baby carriers
In short, they are particularly recommended to promote contact between parent and baby, facilitating daily management. Therefore, an ergonomic baby carrier must guarantee the following conditions:
- M-shaped position: the baby in swaddling clothes must have his knees higher than his bottom and his legs well apart, for correct posture and hip development
- Support for the spine: the baby’s back must maintain its natural “C” curve
- Weight distribution: padded shoulder straps and lumbar belt to reduce the load on the parent’s back and shoulders
- Breathable and safe materials: certified fabrics, such as organic cotton, which do not irritate the baby’s delicate skin
- Adaptability: possibility of adjusting shoulder straps, belt and panel to follow the baby’s growth
- Versatility in positions: some models allow for multiple carrying modes (parent facing, side, back facing, road facing – even if this position is less ergonomic)
Baby Carriers: Advantages
Overall, baby carriers offer numerous advantages for both the baby and the parent and we will talk about this in the following lines:
- It promotes the parent-child bond thanks to constant physical contact, reducing crying and promoting the well-being of the newborn
- It gives freedom of movement to the parent, who can have free hands and therefore facilitates the performance of daily activities
- It distributes weight ergonomically and reduces the risk of hip dysplasia, if the baby carrier is ergonomic
- It can help calm the newborn, simulating the safety of the mother’s womb
- Can be used from birth (if suitable for newborns or with a reducer) up to about 3-4 years
- Baby carriers are ideal for walks, housework or simply to keep the child close, promoting his physical and emotional development
How to choose the baby carrier?
In truth, choosing the right baby carrier is essential to ensure comfort, safety and ergonomics.
In this regard, it is important to consider factors such as the age of the child, the support for the back and hips, the materials and ease of use.
Here are some tips to find the model that best suits your needs and those of your little one:
- Opt for a baby carrier that is suitable for the age and weight of the little one
- Prefer those made with Oeko-Tex certified materials and easily washable
- Choose a model with lumbar support and well adjustable for the comfort of the parent
- Avoid non-ergonomic carriers that keep the baby with dangling legs
- Test the carrier or read reviews to verify its comfort
Baby carrier prices
In reality the cost varies based on brand, materials and features, as shown below:
- Basic models: €40-70
- Mid-range ergonomic carriers: €80-150
- Premium ergonomic carriers (suitable from birth and adjustable in the long term): €150-250
Some well-known brands for ergonomic carriers are Ergobaby, Manduca, Tula, BabyBjörn, Boba Chicco and Neko.
How to use a baby carrier?
Using a baby carrier correctly is essential to ensure the safety, comfort and proper development of your baby. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to wear it and position your little one correctly.
- Check the type of carrier:
There are different types of ergonomic carriers, namely: With adjustable straps (adjustable with buckles and belts); Structured or semi-structured (with rigid or padded support); Hybrid or adjustable (adapt to the growth of the baby)
Always check that the model is suitable for the age and weight of your baby
- Adjust the carrier before inserting your baby:
- Put on the waist belt (if present) and tighten it well over your hips to distribute the weight
- Adjust the shoulder straps to adapt the carrier to your body
- Make sure that the fabrics are well stretched, without creases that could cause discomfort
- Position your baby correctly:
- From birth to 6 months: facing parent with head supported
- From 6 months and up: the baby can be carried on the hip or on the back (if the carrier allows it)
Regarding the question on how to position the newborn in the carrier? In fact, the correct ergonomic position, or “M”, requires that the baby’s bottom must be lower than the knees and the legs must be well apart (not dangling). Furthermore, the back must maintain a natural “C” curve and finally the newborn’s face must always be visible and close to your chest.
- Check the support of the head and neck:
For babies under 3-4 months, make sure that the head is well supported by the carrier panel
The ideal position is “easy kiss”: the baby should be so close that you can give him a kiss on the head without effort
- Check the safety:
Before you start walking with the baby in the carrier, be careful to follow these instructions:
- Check that the buckles are well closed
- Make sure that the carrier is tight but not too tight (you should be able to insert two fingers between the baby and the carrier)
- The baby’s chin should not be pressed on the chest, to avoid breathing difficulties
- If it is hot, choose light clothing to avoid overheating
- Remove the baby carefully:
- Support the baby with one hand while loosening the straps
- If you have a carrier with buckles, always unfasten them from the bottom upwards to avoid sudden movements
Mistakes to avoid
- Using a non-ergonomic baby carrier (with dangling legs)
- Carrying the baby facing forward too early (before 6 months)
- Not adjusting the straps properly, causing back pain to the parent
- Covering the baby’s face too much with the fabric, preventing him from breathing well
In short, by following these tips, you can use the baby carrier safely and effectively, enjoying the benefits of babywearing!
All types of baby carriers
As such, there are different types of baby carriers, each with specific characteristics to adapt to the needs of parents and newborns. Here are the main ones:
- Elastic wrap: A long elastic wrap fabric, ideal for newborns in the first few months. It offers skin-to-skin contact and excellent support.
- Rigid wrap: A non-elastic fabric that requires specific ties. It offers optimal support even for older children.
- Mei Tai: A mix between a wrap and a structured baby carrier, with a fabric base and bands to tie. Versatile and suitable for different ages.
- Structured ergonomic baby carrier: With shoulder straps and padded belt, it allows you to carry your baby in a physiological position (M-shaped). Suitable from the first months up to 3-4 years.
- Adjustable baby carrier: Similar to the ergonomic baby carrier but with a panel that adapts to the growth of the child.
- Rigid support baby carrier: Designed for excursions or long walks, with a more solid structure and often equipped with pockets and hoods.
Which baby carrier should you use?
- For newborns (0-3 months): elastic band or ergonomic baby carrier with reducer
- For greater practicality: ergonomic baby carrier
- For those who love contact and flexibility: rigid band or Mei Tai
- For older children (from 6 months and up): structured ergonomic baby carrier
Best baby carriers on Amazon
As has been said, choosing the baby carrier that best suits your needs is important to ensure comfort and safety for both you and your baby.
Below is a selection of five baby carriers with the highest reviews on Amazon, complete with features and descriptions.
Manduca XT carrier:
It is one of the Manduca baby carriers with the most positive reviews on Amazon.
Adjustable seat: The seat of the Manduca XT is adjustable in width, allowing it to adapt to the growth of the child and ensuring an ergonomic position at all stages of development.
High-quality materials: Made of organic cotton, it offers comfort and safety for both the child and the parent.
Versatility: Suitable for newborns and children up to 20 kg, without the need for a newborn insert.
Carrying positions: It allows for different carrying positions, including front, hip and back, offering flexibility according to the needs of the parent and child.
Parents especially appreciate the ease of use, comfort and quality of the materials of the Manduca newborn carrier. However, some may initially find it difficult to adjust the carrier correctly, but with a little practice it becomes simple to use.
In summary, the Manduca XT is highly recommended for parents looking for an ergonomic, versatile and high-quality newborn carrier.
Chicco EasyFit:
As for the Chicco Easy Fit baby carrier, simple and intuitive to wear, it is an ergonomic baby carrier that adapts perfectly to the body of the parent and the child.
It allows an “M” position for the newborn’s legs and offers two carrying positions: parent facing and road facing. Suitable from birth up to 9 kg, it is equipped with head and neck support.
BabyBjörn Marsupio One Air:
Made from breathable 3D mesh, the Babybjorn One Air baby carrier is ideal for keeping both parent and baby cool.
It offers four ergonomic carrying positions and supports your little one from birth up to 15 kg.
In addition, the padded shoulder straps and waist belt ensure long-lasting comfort.
Infantino Flip Advanced 4-in-1 Carrier:
In the case of the Infantino Flip baby carrier, it is a versatile baby carrier that offers four carrying positions: parent facing with head support, parent facing without support, world facing and on the back.
It also includes a bib to protect the carrier and adjustable shoulder straps for personalized comfort. Suitable for children from 3.6 to 14.5 kg.
Ergobaby Omni 360 Cool Air Mesh:
Designed for maximum comfort, the ergobaby 360 carrier is made of breathable mesh fabric and offers four carrying positions.
In addition, it supports your baby from birth up to 20 kg without the need for a newborn insert. It has lumbar support and a hood for sun protection.
In summary, the information contained in this article on newborn carriers is purely informative and in no way a substitute for the advice of a doctor. Before choosing a baby carrier or making any decisions regarding their health and safety, always consult your trusted pediatrician.
Finally, remember in any case to check that the chosen carrier is suitable for the age and weight of your child and that it respects the ergonomic guidelines to ensure a correct posture.
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Newborn Tips, The Editorial Team
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