A baby carrier is one of the great products for making life with a newborn baby that bit easier. Useful for outings when pushchairs are too impractical, perfect for keeping baby close when you’re doing chores and ideal for comforting baby when they won’t settle. But how do you choose the right baby carrier?

Why use a baby carrier?

The advantages of a baby carrier are numerous and only fully appreciated when you start using one. For baby, a carrier keeps them close to the parent and helps them to settle, particularly useful for a baby who dislikes being put down. For the parent, not only do you have the added security of having your little one close, you’ll also be hands-free allowing you to get on with other tasks.

When transporting your baby, a carrier ensures they are kept warm in the winter months and covered from the sun during the summer. A baby carrier also removes the hassle of pushing a pram up and down the high street or struggling with it around a busy shop. And as baby gets older, being transported in a carrier means they can interact with you and the people around them while getting a good view of the big wide world.

When can you start using a baby carrier?

You can begin using a baby carrier from birth. For the first three months of baby’s life you’ll need to use a carrier that allows your baby to face you. This will keep them in close contact giving baby reassurance from the sound of your heartbeat and providing plenty of protection and warmth.

From three months, baby can be carried facing forwards so they can start to be involved with their environment. When baby reaches six months and is able to support themselves, you can use a back carrier or hip seat.

What type of baby carrier should I choose?

The three common types of baby carrier are the Front Carrier, Back Carrier and Hipseat. When buying your carrier, there are a few things you should consider:

Comfort and support for baby
Your newborn baby can’t support the weight of their own head so you’ll need a carrier that supports their neck and back correctly. The best position for comfort, support and development of your baby’s pelvis is in an upright carrier which spreads the baby’s legs wide apart. The seat, arm and leg holes should be cushioned for added comfort.

Comfort and support for you
Your comfort and safety are equally as important when choosing a baby carrier as you’ll be bearing the weight. A baby carrier should have wide adjustable straps to keep baby held high and tucked in close. This is the most supportive and comfortable position for you both. The carrier should distribute baby’s weight evenly across your back and torso.

Ease of use
The baby carrier you buy should reflect the needs of parent and child. An inward facing carrier will be suitable for the first three months but then you’ll want baby to face outwards so does the carrier allow both positions? If you’re moving around the house and need to put baby down, does the carrier allow for easy detachment without having to undo buckles, poppers and straps? Is the fabric easily cleaned or machine washable?

Types of baby carrier

Now you’re armed with some knowledge of what to look for in a baby carrier, let’s explore the three popular types.

Front Carriers

From 0-12 months front baby carriers are ideal as they keep baby close to you while moving around the house or on a shopping trip. A front baby carrier provides the right support to baby’s head, neck and back and the right support and weight distribution for you.

If you’re looking for a carrier that is easy to use at home as well as when you’re out and about, go for a baby pouch and harness that separates quickly so you can put baby down without having to remove the whole thing. A baby carrier such as the Bush Baby Cocoon Carrier has slots in the pouch that fit to a car baby seat for safe and secure driving. When you reach home, just unclip, reattach to the harness and you’re both ready to go again.

Bush Baby Cocoon Front Carrier

For parents that want baby to be close for the first three months and then able to face outwards to see what’s going on around them, a lightweight 2-way baby carrier like the Tippitoes 2 Way Front Baby Carrier offers an adaptable option that will serve you well up to the age of 12 months.

Tippitoes 2 Way Front Baby Carrier

Back Carriers

When baby reaches six months, they’ll be able to support themselves so you can consider buying a back carrier. Back carriers are best suited when you have some long walks ahead of you such as on a holiday or day out. They provide a great alternative to pushchairs and can be used into toddlerhood (typically up to the age of 3 or 4 years-old).

Back carriers should be lightweight and well padded. Look for a carrier with a detachable sun and rain canopy and for added safety reflective strips to make sure you’re easily spotted in low light.

LittleLife Child Carrier

For long days away or holidays, go for a back carrier that includes a day sack for drinks, wipes and food. These can be detached from the carrier to share the load with someone else or attached to the front of the harness for easy access by the adult.

Some carriers come with a handy mirror attachment to give you the added reassurance of being able to check on baby without having to remove the carrier from your back.

LittleLife Voyager Child Carrier

Hipseats

Hipseats are an innovative way to carry babies and toddlers without placing strain on your spine. Many parents tend to carry their child on the hip meaning the spine is twisted and put under a lot of strain which ultimately leads to back pain.

Hipseats address this problem by providing a shelf to support the weight of your child from underneath. The seat is worn tightly around your waist as your baby or toddler sits astride it. The seat can be moved from one hip to another for comfort preventing the spine from twisting and keeping your child happy and safe beside you.

Hippychick Hipseat

Hipseats are ideal for moving around the house when your baby wants to come with you from room to room. When travelling, it provides a lightweight means for carrying your child on a bus or for places where pushchairs are not practical (for instance on a sandy beach while on holiday).