Best baby carrier

 Baby wearing might be one of the best decisions you take as a new parent. Not only has researches proven that babies who are held often cry less, it is also shown that baby wearing promotes their physical development and strengthens the bond between the caregiver and the baby.

From time immemorial, mothers have been wearing babies and going about with their work. While in the earlier days, they used a Saree as their ‘carrier’; nowadays we are spoilt with different types and varieties of baby carriers. To help you choose the carrier best suitable for you, we discuss in this guide about different types of baby carriers, how to choose a baby carrier, the safety aspects and the best picks.

SSC is one of the most common types of baby carriers available in the market. It has a padded strap, which is attached to a rectangular piece of fabric with the help of buckles. It can be used by newborn up till toddler-hood. Newborns however may require neck support or inserts for better comfort or safety. The main advantage of Soft Structured Carrier are that it is fairly easy and intuitive to use and is generally preferred by dads. SSC with well-padded shoulder and waist strap helps prevent neck and back pain due to baby wearing. The main negative is that it is a bit bulky and difficult to fit in a diaper bag.

Mei Tai is just like a soft structured carrier, but instead of buckles, it is secured with knots. It can be used by newborn up till toddler-hood. As there are no buckles and straps to rub against the body, the baby as well as mother is a lot more comfortable with a Mei Tai. Newborns will love having their legs snuggled up inside, while older babies and toddlers can have their legs spread outside. Being sleek, it can be carried easily inside a diaper bag too. The main problem associated with Mei Tai is that it may take a while for the parent to master the knots and sometimes the knots might get in your way when you are doing some other work.

A wrap is just long fabric that is tied in a particular way to secure the baby to the mother. The main advantages associated with baby wraps are that it is very comfortable and cuddly for the baby. Newborns especially will love wraps made of stretchable fabric as it will give them the comfortable feeling of being in the womb. You can choose from different varieties of fabrics for tying up a wrap. In fact, even a good old Saree can be used. Also, as you can wear it in different positions, you are less likely to develop neck, shoulder or back pain as a result of baby wearing. However, a wrap is not easy. You will have to spend a good deal of time learning how to tie a wrap. In fact, I always check this YouTube video and spend at least 5-15 minutes every time tie a wrap.

Slings provide the comfort of a wrap, and is much easier to wear. It is usually a single piece of fabric threaded through a ring to form a pouch that holds the baby. Babies are pretty comfortable in a sling and it makes breastfeeding easier too. However, as slings are mostly worn over a single shoulder, you may not be able to use it once your baby starts gaining weight without developing a neck or back pain.

Safety is always the foremost priority when buying and using a baby gear. Here are some of the important safety notes to be taken care of while using baby carriers.

It is not recommended to wear babies weighing less than 5.5kg without an insert.

Babies are at a high risk of hip dysplasia or dislocation for the first few months of life. During this period, legs shouldn’t be held in extension with hip or knees be straightened and legs brought together. In a baby carrier, the baby’s thighs should be supported and legs should be spread to keep the hip stable. Take a note of the images below.