| With so many options out there for baby carriers it is | | | | |
| hard to choose the right one for your needs. Listed are | | | | Onbuhimo - 1 strap and rings. Tied with a knot. |
| all the different types of carriers with the advantages | | | | Podaegi - A small blanket with a strap. Tied with a |
| and disadvantages of each.Each carrier style listed | | | | knot. |
| below supports the baby rather than having the baby | | | | Fabrics - Canvas, Twill, Cotton. |
| hang at the crotch like most carriers in stores. When a | | | | Carries - Front(facing out), Back, Hip. |
| baby hangs at the crotch it effects the spine and can | | | | Advantages - Quick to get on. Not as bulky as a |
| cause damage. The carriers below the baby is | | | | wrap. |
| supported by having the bum lower than the knees. | | | | Disadvantages - Most cannot be used for hip carries |
| The baby's weight is on the bum instead of the hip | | | | or for laying down carries. Can be difficult to |
| joints and spine. The baby's are also held tight to your | | | | breastfeed with a small infant.Hip Carriers |
| body making it easier on your back and muscles. It | | | | Styles - Hip/Waist belts and buckles. |
| also leaves them feeling more secure and | | | | Fabrics - Canvas, Hemp, Cordura |
| safe.Pouches | | | | Carries - Hip, Front(not all hip carriers), Back(not all hip |
| Styles - Padded - can provide cushioning for wearer | | | | carriers) |
| and baby | | | | Advantages - Easy to get on. Not alot of fabric. |
| Unpadded - can be more comfortable for some | | | | Disadvantages - Can only be used for babies who |
| wearers, cooler | | | | have excellent back and neck control. Most cannot be |
| Stretch - allows you to keep the baby closer to you. | | | | used in any carry other than the hip. Some are not |
| Non-Adjustable - quickest to get on and learn how to | | | | handsfree.In general,It's all a matter of personal |
| use. | | | | preference.Which Carrier? This is always the big |
| Adjustable(zippers, rings, or snaps) - allows more than | | | | question, which one to get. The options are numerous. |
| 1 sized wearer to use it. | | | | If you are new I suggest starting with a pouch. They |
| Reversible - gives you 2 pouches in 1, also makes it | | | | are the easiest to learn with and are inexpensive so |
| look nicer when using a shoulder flip. | | | | you can move up to ring slings, wraps, and soft |
| Fabrics - Cotton, Flannel, Fleece, Organic, Solarveil, | | | | carriers without having spent alot of money on the |
| Hemp, Mesh, Silk. | | | | pouch. Pouches, Ring Slings and Wraps all have the |
| Carries - Cradle, Kangaroo/Buddha, Hip, Back, | | | | same basic idea behind how to use them, they are |
| Tummy-To-Tummy. | | | | just secured differently. If you buy one and find it does |
| Advantages - Easiest to learn how to use. Compact. | | | | not work, do not give up. Some carriers are not well |
| Quick to put on and get a baby/toddler in. Easy to | | | | liked by some babies and wearers. There is a large |
| breastfeed with. Deeper pocket allows a nicer fit for | | | | market for used carriers and you can get your money |
| the baby without fabric bunching. Inexpensive. | | | | back and try another one. Soft Carriers are the |
| Disadvantages - Most are not adjustable, you cannot | | | | closest to mainstream carriers like a snugli or Baby |
| use them for different sized wearers. Some babies do | | | | Bjorn. They are relatively easy to use and have the |
| not like them. They are worn on 1 shoulder which can | | | | look of them but also have the added advantage of |
| cause a strain on the shoulder/back with heavier | | | | wider seats so the baby is supported and not just |
| babies or when wearing for long periods.Ring Sling | | | | hanging from it's groin.Fabrics? Some people like the |
| Styles - Padded - Gives cushioning to wearer and | | | | woven fabrics of a wrap better than a knit. Some |
| Baby. | | | | people choose a specific fabric due to a specific |
| Unpadded - easier to tighten, not as hot. | | | | outing they are attending. Flannels and heavy wovens |
| Open Tail - Allows wearer to adjust top and bottom | | | | and cottons are not a widely used during the summer |
| rails separately. Can use the tail as a sun shield/blanket. | | | | months as a lightweight cotton, solarveil or mesh sling |
| | | | would be.Mesh slings are good for pools, lakes, the |
| Closed Tail - No loose fabric to get in the way. Only | | | | beach and the shower. Solarveil are also good for |
| have to tighten 1 piece. | | | | them but have the added advantage of sun |
| Fabrics - Cotton, Fleece, Solarveil, Mesh, Silk, Organic, | | | | protection.Tying Methods? Some people find the knots |
| Twill. | | | | in a wrap to be bothersome. Rings are easy, but some |
| Carries - Cradle, Kangaroo/Buddha, Hip, Back, | | | | have concerns about their babies hitting their heads on |
| Tummy-To-Tummy. | | | | them. Snaps and zippers in an adjustable pouch give it |
| Advantages - Adjustable. Can be used for different | | | | more uses, but it isn't as easy to adjust as a pouch |
| sized wearers. More compact than a wrap. Easy to | | | | with ring slings.Padding? It can be a huge advantage, |
| use. | | | | but also a disadvantage at the same time. Leg padding |
| Disadvantages - 1 shouldered which can cause strain | | | | helps keep red marks from material cutting in away, |
| on the wearer. Not as comfortable as a wrap. For | | | | shoulder padding helps keep strain off your shoulder, |
| some, the rings can slip a bit.Long Wraps (4+ Metres | | | | top rail padding can be used as cushioning for the |
| Yards) | | | | baby's head, but padding can also be hot, make it |
| Styles - 4Metres/Yards up to 9/10Meteres/Yards | | | | harder to adjust tightly and make things more |
| Tapered - makes it easier to tie the knot and leaves | | | | uncomfortable. If you have a sling with padding and are |
| less fabric hanging. | | | | having difficulty with it, look closely at how it is made |
| Stretch - Allows a wearer to leave it on all day, | | | | and see if you can remove some(or all) of the padding |
| popping a baby in and out as needed. | | | | and re-sew it shut. If you find the unpadded sling is |
| Woven - Doesn't have the bounce a stretch wrap | | | | hurting you, you can either sell it and get one with |
| does. | | | | padding or see if the sling maker has optional padding |
| Fabrics - Cotton, Fleece, Cotton Knit, Organic | | | | available.Accessories? Depending on the sling maker, |
| Carries - Cradle, Kangaroo/Buddha, Hip, Back, | | | | some comes with various accessories. You can get |
| Tummy-To-Tummy, Cross Carries. | | | | built in diaper bags, toy hooks, pillows and pockets. If |
| Advantages - Distributes child's weight over entire | | | | you find a diaper bag is too cumbersome to bring |
| upper back. More comfortable. Larger variation in | | | | along, a sling with pockets will probably be useful. Toy |
| carries you can use. | | | | hooks can keep a fidgety baby occupied. Pillows are |
| Disadvantages - Can be trickier to learn how to use. | | | | helpful in pouches if you have a small baby or a |
| Alot of fabric. A bit harder to breastfeed with. Tied | | | | newborn. They can prop the baby up so they don't |
| with a knot.Short Wraps(3-4 Metres/Yards) | | | | look so "lost" inside the sling. Pillows can make a |
| Styles - 3Metres/Yards up to 4Meteres/Yards | | | | difference in whether a newborn likes or hates a |
| Tapered - makes it easier to tie the knot and leaves | | | | pouch.Lastly, if you buy a sling and are having |
| less fabric hanging. | | | | problems getting it to work do not hesitate to ask |
| Stretch - Allows a wearer to leave it on all day, | | | | questions. There are many ladies quite knowledgeable |
| popping a baby in and out as needed. | | | | about babywearing here at Mothering, but you can |
| Woven - Doesn't have the bounce a stretch wrap | | | | also contact any LLL(or other breastfeeding group), |
| does. | | | | Midwife or Doula and they should be able to point you |
| Fabrics - Cotton, Fleece, Cotton Knit, Organic | | | | in the right direction on where to go for help. You can |
| Carries - Cradle, Kangaroo/Buddha, Hip, Back, | | | | also find babywearing classes in most larger centers. |
| Tummy-To-Tummy, Cross Carries. | | | | A little help can make the difference in becoming a |
| Advantages - Easier to get on than a long wrap. Less | | | | babywearing family.Carrie Hirtle |
| fabric than with a long wrap. | | | | Mother, Doula and Owner of Natural Blessings an |
| Disadvantages - Fewer carries that you can use | | | | Attachment Parenting store specializing in Baby |
| compared with a long wrap. Only goes over 1 shoulder. | | | | Carriers, Cloth Menstrual Pads, Breastfeeding Supplies |
| Learning curve is harder than with a ring sling or a | | | | and a variety of other products for moms and tots.I |
| pouch. Tied with a knot.Soft Carriers | | | | am a Childbirth Educator, Childbirth Doula and Lactation |
| Styles - Asian Baby Carriers - 4 straps to tie to hold | | | | Counsellor specializing in Natural, Drug Free Childbirth. |
| the baby. Tied with a knot. | | | | For my services visit Natural Blessings Childbirth |
| Korean Carrier - 1 long strap, tied with a knot. | | | | Services. |
| Constructed Carriers - Use buckles, velcro and snaps. | | | | |