Baby Carriers: Are They a Good Idea? If Yes, Which Is a Good Brand/model?

I LOVE my ergo. Even now my son is 18 months and that thing has saved us from the grouchies often. He just snuggled right in and all us well with the world. And I can get dinner on the table!

I could never have made it without my ergo! My son is 3 1/2 yrs old and I can still comfortably carry him on back much better then if I just hold him in my arms.

edited: I see a few recommending a bjorn they are bad for baby's spine and hips and they are not that great for you either.

I love the Ergo carrier!! I am about 5' 2" and have used it in the airport, at football games, doing yard work, hiking, etc. It is comfortable and can be used in many different ways. My little man is 1 yr old and ~24 lbs and it is still comfortable carrying him. He seems like like it too!
http://www.ergocarrier.com/

We had a Bjorn carrier and liked it. Babies seemed to like it fine; they all fell asleep in there almost every time we used it. I'm short as well, and my back didn't hurt because of my height, it was because of their weight! When they surpassed about 15 lbs, I couldn't carry them in it for long stretches, though my husband didn't have a problem (and he's short too). The only issue I had was, being short, it was a bit of an adjustment when I sat down- I had to hold the baby's legs around my waist when I was sitting- but not a big deal! The carrier saved me a lot. I had one who was never happy unless he was held all the time, so that's the only way I got things done!

We loved the Baby Bjorn w/ the lumbar support. Newborns need the neck support, so they should face toward your chest w/ the back "pack" up, supporting the back of their head. When they have neck/head control, they can then be faced forward w/ their backs against your chest.

http://www.babybjorn.com/us/products/baby-carriers/baby-c...

http://betterbabywearing.blogspot.com/2010/03/babyweaing-...

^^^Awesome blog with a description of great carriers and suggested brands!!!

I have a stretchy wrap that I like for the newborn phase. But my YDS outgrew it quickly (he hit 20 lbs at 4 months...they're best for up to 15 lbs....and **never** wear baby in a stretchy wrap on your back, it's a high risk for a fall). I also have a Kozy mai tei carrier (http://kozycarrier.homestead.com/) that I use all the time! LOVE it:-) My back never hurts while wearing LO, on either front or back carry.

I also have a woven wrap (a Girasol, from www.wearababy.com) that I like, but it does have more of a learning curve, and a little more time to put on. I love love love the fabric, but I just don't reach for it as much as my Kozy.

I have several friends who love their Ergo (buckle soft side carrier). It can even be found at BuyBuyBaby, as well as online.

They are a great idea. I have a few different types, depending upon what I am doing.

If I am at home for most of the day, a wrap is my choice, as it requires a bit of precision with tying it, so it is not easy to put on if you are running errands. I use a Sleepy Wrap, and there are many different ways to hold the baby. It can be used from newborn until late toddler years, around 33 lbs.

If I am out running errands or at the zoo, I like a carrier that is easy to put on. I have a good one by Kelty Kids, but it is showing its age (it was a hand-me-down). For the next baby I intend to get an Ergo, which my friends have all raved about.

If you get one that is well made, it will not cause you pain. Mine don't.

I have 2 Infantino ones as well, but I don't use them, as I don't feel that they are supportive enough.

I LOVE the ergo carrier. I tend to get back problems and this one is comfortable and never hurts my back. My daughter loves being carried around in it too :) I carry her either in the front or back depending on what I feel like at the time. She seems comfortable. We have an old baby hiking backpack I use on hikes and she likes riding up high in it. Now she wants to walk on her own much of the time though. If you find a carrier that puts all the weight on your hips (like the ergo) then you will not get back/shoulder problems. I just want to state, I have a Baby Bjorn also and I like it. I can only use it when baby is small though...once they get to a certain weight it kills my back!

I would suggest a mobi wrap over a carrier if you do not like slings, I DID NOT like my carrier and was much more comfy in a wrap. I had major back surgery shortly before conception and back aches were a major concern... the carrier was making things worse but the wrap actually alleviated by pains.

i have a maya wrap and a sleepy wrap and love them both. The sleepy wrap i have had since my first baby was born 2 years ago (he still CAN ride around in it, but much prefers running and jumping to being carried haha). Its perfect for wearing out on walks and around the house while doing chores adn what-not, since it really supports the baby while you're hands-free (keeps a sleeping baby snugged right up to your chest even if your bending over). My 3 month old daughter much prefers the maya wrap, and starts kicking her legs and squealing when she sees me putting it on. That one I wear almost all day, she rides around in it while i'm making my son breakfast, playing outside, shopping, etc. The maya is also great for nursing on-the-go (which is a necessity when you have an older child also). You simply flip the babe sideways with their feet hanging out one side and their head by your breast and you can use the long fabric "tail" to cover up. Good luck with your new baby!

I loved my Ergo and I'm about 5 foot 2.

I was a professional nanny for over twenty years and I would say yes, get a Baby Bjorn or something similar to that. I don't like slings, I hated how long it took to put on and make sure baby was safe...I've tried them all. Plus, I can't tell you how many times I have almost seen a baby fall out of them, mothers who sworn that that was never happened, "I had this with all my kids and it never happened", they just scare me, but I know several people who swear by them and that is great for them. Yes, you will have shoulder and back ache for a awhile, because you are wearing the baby and have them in a different position, but once those muscle get use to it, you won't notice and be like this is the greatest thing every made. My son was a big baby 9lb. 3.5oz. and it was a life saver. I wore it a lot because I was still working as a nanny and had two charges, 4 and 7, and whenever we went somewhere(downtown Chicago), I wore it and it was great. It was great in the house, at museums, at the park, going to the bathroom, washing dishes, you name it. I think it is great especially when they are newborns to be able to carry them with you around the house, whether they are sleeping or awake. Most carriers have weight limits to use and weight limits to be forward facing. I heard great things about Jeep carrier and ergo carrier. I love the baby bjorn. I would check into the carriers that you can get covers for if you are going to be walking around outside when it is cold.

Good luck!

Ergo is awesome and super comfortable. You wear the baby facing you, and you can also wear them on your back once they're older/bigger. The Ergo is pricey but lasts well through the toddler season. My son is 17 months and is great in the Ergo.
They have an infant insert for when the baby is smaller, I used mine up till about 4 months old.

I have several different carriers, including a moby, a sling, a baby bjorn, and an ergo. The ergo is by far my favorite for going out and about. It is super comfy and easy to adjust and easy to put the baby in. I had no problem carrying my two year old, 30 pound son around in it although I use it mainly for my little 10 month old daughter.
The straps are wide and padded and it has a back strap so it is good for carrying bigger kids. It also has a little zip pocket, so if I go places i can put my phone and wallet in and dont need a purse.
Drawbacks - you need a newborn insert for a small baby, and the child can't face front, they only ride with their face toward you (unless they are on your back, which I have never done).

Neither of those drawbacks have been a problem so far.

I like the moby wrap, but i live in Texas and it is just too hot to much of the year for it. Also, it takes a while to get the hang of wrapping it.

Good luck - check out the Ergo...

Baby carriers are either something you either love or hate, I think. I loved carrying my child, and I essentially did so until he refused to be carried anymore. My favorite for outdoor was the Bjorn, the red and black one with the padded back support. I found that easy to use and the baby would nap in it like he was in his crib. My favorite in-the-house carrier was the Moby wrap -- I found it too cumbersome to use outdoors but for around the house, it was the most comfortable for lounging around. Later, I used the Ergo carrier as a back carrier -- i was not too thrilled with that one personally but I understand many others love it.

My recommendation would be to try a few types of carriers and see if they appeal to you -- maybe even purchasing a few, with the plan to return them if they don't feel right. Then, you'll find out pretty quickly if baby-carrying is right for you.

Until my daughter turned four months old, I used a baby bjorn (I never found a wrap or sling that was comfortable and felt "safe" - with slings I had an irrational fear that she would fall out and wraps were too hot - she's a summer baby). I did not like my ergo (w/ infant insert) for that period of time. But, after the first four months, I loved the ergo. It was well worth the money since I still use it (my daughter is 2 1/2) for hiking/outdoor adventuring, quick grocery store visits, and when I need or want to walk from point A. to point B. without having to hold two sets of toddler hands. It is still very comfortable (I am tall...don't know if it would make a difference).

as long as you by a carrier that isnt sold at babies r us you will be fine. slings are perfectly safe when they are made correctly. the one recalled was a bag type sling, where baby was down by your hip ( NEVER a good place) baby should be so high you should easily be able to kiss babies head. anyways good ones are maya wrap, ergo, babyhawk, moby, or a woven wrap. there is a babywearing group in lakecounty that can be a HUGE resource for you!

and anyone that has tried a different carrier than a Bjorn would never go back to a Bjorn. they are not comfortable, and watch how baby is positioned in one. they are leaned forward and a lot of pressure on the crotch area. many chiros agree that its also not good for babys spine development

Good for you for looking into babywearing! It's a great bonding experience, reduces crying, makes Baby happy, & frees up your hands to do what you need to do. I would highly recommend visiting a babywearing group so that you can try out the different styles & get recommendations from moms who actually use them. If you go to a Babies 'R Us, they really have no idea what they're talking about, & you'll get swayed by marketing instead of practicality.

Personally, I never liked slings, & yes, they can be dangerous. I've used some Bjorn-style carriers before & they were OK, but my absolute favorite wrap, which I used all the time with my 2nd baby was the Moby wrap. I bought it in black so my husband would agree to use it too. :) I liked that there were no metal or wire pieces, just fabric. It was FANTASTIC for a newborn, all the way up until he was 18 months or so. (After that, he was so heavy that the fabric would just stretch out.) It was SO comfortable to wear! I have a very large chest & chronic back pain, & I loved that it distributed the weight evenly. It puts less strain on your back wearing your baby than holding him in your arms. I loved that I could keep him close to me AND get things done around the house. It would calm any crying fits, and I loved that you could put the baby in all kinds of positions - facing you in a hug, facing out, on your back, etc. Especially when he was a newborn, I loved being able to take him out in public snuggled on my chest, so I didn't have to worry about people sticking their dirty hands in his face, which they WILL do. :) The only downside to the Moby wrap is that it's 7ft long & you have to wrap it around yourself before you put the baby in, so the ends drag on the ground, which makes it kind of a pain to use in public. I still made it work, though. When my son became too heavy, I tried a mei-tei style carrier, but the straps always hurt my shoulders & back, & he never seemed comfortable. I wouldn't recommend that kind of wrap.

Every mom is different, with a different body type & lifestyle, so I'd recommend trying them on & getting advice from moms who use them. You can find a babywearing group near you on meetup.com. Good luck!

I love my Mei Tai bought it off of Etsy: http://laylagirldesigns.com/ LOVE it! we never leave the house without it and the hubby loves carrying our little one in it as well, it helps that I didn't pick an overly girly print. Janelle, the crafty one who makes the mei tai's will make it with any fabric if you do not see one on her page that you already like. Super durable, can be worn front or on back, discreet for nursing, so comfortable, grows with baby through toddlerhood, folds/rolls up super compact to fit in diaper bag (which most carriers can't do) & does a great job distributing weight. Highly Recommend.

I used the Bjorn with both babies and we all loved it. I'm 5 ft. 2 in. and didn't have any problems until they got bigger (10 months maybe). My girls always loved being in it, I can't remember either of them ever crying in the bjorn and I used it A LOT. It's great for walking the neighborhood (burns extra calories carrying their weight around) and grocery shopping (put an infant carrier in your buggy and there's no room for food!). I highly recommend.

I loved my Bjorn and used it all the time to do everything with my baby(s) attached. If you tighten it pretty close like you would a backpack, you shouldn't have major issues with your back (any more than you would for hand-carrying your baby).

I had the Bjorn and a pocket sling, and I still have an Ergo.

I'd say, go Ergo!! Super comfy for parent and child. Only drawback is that baby can't face away from you; they say it's to avoid over-stim, but if you are carrying a toddler, they do prefer to look out.

The Bjorn was great for little little baby, but quickly gets uncomfortable as baby grows. Plus, I don't like the fact that the baby is sitting on his/her crotch.

Although I loved my ring sling and Moby wrap, you are asking about carriers, and I recommend the Ergo; it is very comfortable and easy to get baby in and out of. It can be used on your front (facing you) and on your back (like a backpack). One thing I haven't seen mentioned is the danger of wearing your baby on your front so they are facing out. You will see this referred to on babywearing boards as "crotch-dangling". The problem when you use a Bjorn or similar type like this facing out is that all of the support is on baby's crotch. When they are facing you, their hips are naturally aligned in the proper position, so there is no risk of injury. People will insist that their babies like to face outward so they can "see", but if you use a backpack style, they can also see out without the associated hip displacement risks. Also, babies are very easily overstimulated, so having them face inward gives them an "out" and they can tuck into mom or dad when things get to be too much.

Y'know . . . I see lots of parents carrying their children around in carriers.
I sometimes think about this from (what I presume to be)
the baby's point of view.

When a baby is carried in his/her parents arms,
his head is up around other people's heads.
He sees people smiling at him, talking to his parents, etc.

When a baby is in a carrier, he sees the ceiling and trees
and buildings swinging back and forth, perhaps dizzyingly.
His orientation to up and down are somewhat skewed.

I see people sometimes put these carriers down on the ground,
while they are putting things into their cars or for other reasons.
I think being down on the ground is probably not so good
for babies' respiration, et al.

If you are very short, you might be uncomfortable carrying a carrier,
your center of gravity will be significantly lower than it is normally.
Do you have some reason why you don't want to consider
a sling or some other mode of "wearing" your baby?

Sending good thoughts to you and your baby.
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When I read the word "carrier", I imagined the kind of device --
heavy plastic, molded, lined w/cushions and fabric --
that people can snap in and out of the back seat of their car,
can snap in and out of a stroller carriage.
I was not imagining a wrap-type fabric device.
So everything I said above may be unnecessary.
But I'm leaving it there, in case I was right all along.
If you did mean a wrap-type fabric device, GOOD.
You might want to look at some of the websites
that sell these devices to compare what they say,
if anything, about short parents and comfort.

I think the Baby Bjorn carrier was the best investment we made. I LOVED having the babies with me. As far as which way she faces? She'll let you know. Our elder son liked facing the person who was carrying him. The younger one INSISTED on facing out toward the world. You should NOT get a back-ache. Whatever carrier you choose should be adjustable to where you are as comfortable as your baby. When you first start using it, if you're rather inactive and not used to using your muscles (mostly core, but some upper back), you might experience some achiness. But it's a good motivator to strengthen your core WHILE you're wearing her! Enjoy.

i love my active bjorn (the one with the back support). i've used it for all 3 of my very big babies until about 9 months. i keep them facing me for the first couple months when they sleep all the time. after that they face out and they have all loved it!

I am also 5' tall. Loved the Baby Bjorn for my smaller guy (my oldest). It's very easy to adjust so it's a good one to share with a taller spouse. Little ones face in and once they get bigger, they can face in or out.

Mine like to face out and you'll KNOW if yours does (a kid who wants to face OUT will do everything in his power to face out once he can, even if you put him in facing in:).

I got a nice Bella for my youngest (big) guy, because it has hip support, so it's better for my back BUT I have to take it off if I need to pee, so I still end up wearing the Baby Bjorn.

So - things to think about:
Do you need to go to the bath room often? If so, you won't want to take your baby off in a public restroom, so be sure you can do that.
Baby Bjorn has back support and adjusts easily, but if you have a big baby, it will wear out your back & shoulders.
And so on...

I have never used an Ergo because my kids were so keen on facing OUT, but people who have them are gaga over them. It's worth a look while your kiddo is small. A nice place will let you try on the carriers with your baby.

I loved having a carrier.

Loved my bjorn. You need to keep the x strap to fall in the middle of your back to avoid back problems. The baby gets too heavy around 1year. My husband would carry him for me. They now have covers for winter and extra extension straps for men(we never used either). I bought a bigger sized jacket and buttoned the baby under the jacket. My friend liked using slings, but I was too afraid it would come loose or the baby would fall out.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE baby carriers! My absolute favorite is the Moby. Yes, you have to wrap it, but it really isn't as hard as it looks. I have some very serious back problems, and this is hands down my most comfortable carrier. Baby loves it, and it can carry baby from birth onward - some people even carry toddlers on their back with it, but personally I never felt comfortable with the back carrying with the Moby. But for front holds - facing both in and out - it was wonderful!

Also love the Ergo, which is good with an older baby and into the toddler years (we still use it with my two year old). The ergo can carry baby on the front facing you, or on the back. It can't hold on the front facing out, which is one thing I loved the Moby for. But the ergo is really easy to get on and off, and my husband likes it better than the Moby for himself to wear (things the Moby is a little too girly for him). There are lots of other styles like the Ergo.

HATE the Baby Bjorn styles. Absolute hell on my back, and supposedly not as good for baby to be "hanging" from the crotch. They also can't carry babies until they're very old, certainly not as old as the Moby and Ergo can.

Baby carriers are a great idea, so much less cumbersome than a stroller and typically safer than a sling (unfortunately they've gotten a lot of bad press lately because of negligent parents). I've used a baby bjorn, a moby wrap, and a kelty backpack carrier. Kiddo was comfy in all of them, but I was not! Lol.
My favorite is the moby wrap; it's not a structured carrier but I think that's what makes it more comfortable as it distributes weight more evenly across your back. It can be a bit of hassle at first to learn the wraps but once you have them mastered (after a couple of tries) it's easy. I would also recommend wrapping it on yourself before you head out, you don't want to be dragging it on asphalt or a store's floor! I have an 8 month old the size of an average 18 month old and it's still comfortable! They're only forty bucks, so it's a good alternative option for pretty cheap in comparison to the others out there.
With a big baby we didn't get much use out of our bjorn, he out grew it by 4 months; since you're petite you probably won't have that problem. I will say though that it started to cut in the shoulders and strain the back at around 15 lbs. It is quick and convenient though, easy to adjust and clean. I had a friend with a knock off brand and they liked theirs, also.
The kelty carrier was an older model, so I don't know how the newer ones perform but they look about the same in design and padding, just updated colors. This was the least comfortable. We picked it up for hiking, and it is great because it has storage and the bottom kicks out so the baby has a seat no matter where you are. It is awful because you can only walk 1/4 mi before you're in pain. Not recommended.
I've heard great things about ergo's, much more versatile then a bjorn (front inward facing, back forward facing, and hip carrier vs front inward/outward facing). I wish I had known about these before we bought the bjorn. They also have a higher weight limit (35 vs 25 lbs).
Another comfy one I've heard of is a becco carrier, I think that's the name anyway. I think that one may just be a back carrier though.
It's tough to find the right one, I would take baby in with you and see which one fits best and feels right for you.