[QUIZ] Which Baby Carrier Is Best For You?
Choosing the perfect baby carrier can be overwhelming. Answer 10 simple questions and see my personal recommendation for the best type of baby carrier for your lifestyle, personal needs, and budget.
A baby carrier is one of the essentials that every parent will buy sooner or later. In this article, I’ll be discussing things to consider when looking for a baby carrier, and also go into details on the pros and cons of each type of baby carrier and the differences between each one.
How To Choose A Baby Carrier
When buying a baby carrier, there are a few important things you should keep in mind.
Features
What you look for in a baby carrier is highly dependent on your lifestyle and long term plans for it.
- Are you planning to use it from birth? If so, make sure it is specified as suitable for newborns and certified hip-healthy to prevent hip dysplasia.
- Are you frequently out-and-about? A lightweight, travel-friendly baby carrier could be important to you.
- Do you have pre-existing shoulder or back problems? You’ll want to avoid single-shoulder baby slings.
- Will your partner be using it too? Baby carriers that require tying are often challenging for men, and they generally prefer quick, fuss-free options.
Based on your answers and personal needs, these are some features of a baby carrier that you might want to consider:
- Sunhood/sleep cover
- Suitable for newborn (or does it require a newborn insert?)
- “H” or “X” shoulder strap positions
- Breastfeeding in carrier
- Ease of use and adjustments
Cost/Budget
The price of a baby carrier range from $70 to $300 and is directly proportional to its convenience and also bulkiness. For instance, the most expensive type of carrier is the Full Buckle. It’s the easiest to use, quickest to learn, but also the biggest type of baby carrier.
If you have a fixed budget in mind for how much you’d want to spend on a carrier, I’ll recommend starting with a mid-range option like the Half Buckle, or Meh Tai, and seeing if their features satisfy your needs.
If they’re still too pricey for your budget, consider buying a good condition secondhand carrier on eBay by selecting the “New: Never Used” or “Used” filter in the results.
Baby carriers are generally made from good quality materials that last a very long time, so buying near-new carriers is not a problem and will actually save you quite a bit of money.
Materials
Most baby carriers these days are made with natural fibres like cotton, or more rarely hemp, like the Manduca Organic Carrier. Natural materials are better particularly for newborns as they are gentle on the skin and less likely to trigger eczema flare-ups in babies.
However, there are also baby carriers that use synthetic fabric. Polyester is frequently used for baby carriers with air mesh, better suited for humid climate where it can get very hot for the baby in a carrier.
Spandex is a synthetic fabric that is commonly found in baby wrap carriers to add elasticity and maintain the carrier’s form because otherwise, it will easily stretch out of shape.
Not all brands will specify the materials used in their carriers, so if this is something you’re concerned about, make sure you ask for the material composition before making any purchase.
Different Styles Of Baby Carriers
Full Buckle Carrier
(Above) The Baby Tula ‘Free To Explore’ collection
A Full Buckle Carrier, also known as a Soft Structured Carrier (SSC), consists of only one buckle for the waist and one for the shoulder straps. It is the most popular and easiest baby carrier to use and it features heavily in our list of the best baby carriers in Australia.
Advantages of the Full Buckle Carrier
It is the quickest and easiest to use
With everything connected by sturdy buckles, it only takes a few seconds to put on and take off. Beginner-friendly, it is perfect for first-time parents or those often on-the-go.
Easy to breastfeed in full buckle carrier
To breastfeed in a baby carrier (regardless of the type), you simply loosen the waist and shoulder straps so that baby sinks lower until her mouth is at the breasts (see video demonstration with the Baby Tula below).
This is easily accomplished with a full buckle carrier, where you can release and loosen the shoulder straps in half a second. Comparatively speaking, all the other carriers on this list require a bit time and adjustments to get baby in a suitable position for breastfeeding.
Ergonomically design for both wearer and baby
With a wide waist belt and thick padded shoulder straps, the full buckle carrier evenly distributes baby’s weight across your hips, back and shoulders to minimise strain on any particular area.
The wide seat base and body panel also ensures the baby is always in the recommended position for good hips and spinal development.
Only baby carrier that allows outward front-facing carry
If you want a baby carrier that allows for baby to face outwards, there are only a few full buckle baby carriers that specifically allow for this position:
It is suitable for both dads and mums
The ease of use and high adjustability means it is highly adaptable to the comfort of its wearer, making it suitable for multi-users and is gender-neutral.
It is the best for long term use
Although most types of baby carriers are suitable from birth to three years, once your baby hits 10kg the weight will quickly put a strain on you with other carriers. Full buckles, however, are designed to hold up to 20kg without too much burden on your body.
Additionally, full buckle carriers usually have an expandable body panel, like the Manduca that unzips so that the body panel extends longer. This allows you to carry a taller toddler or preschooler without the risk of them falling out.
This also makes the full buckle carrier one of the most economical and value for money options as a baby carrier.
Disadvantages of the Full Buckle Carrier
The most expensive baby carrier
Needless to say, with all the convenience and details in its design, the full buckle carrier is the priciest type of carrier on the market. For a reputable brand, the price ranges between $200 to $300.
Bulkier than other types
Due to its wide and padded straps, the full buckle baby carrier does not fold and stow away as easily as other carrier types. If you’re looking for a lightweight, travel-friendly option, you could still use the full buckle carrier – just leave it clipped around your waist inst