Like cloth diapers, there are many, many baby carriers on the market. And, as with most things in life, you need to find what works for you. All I can do here is tell you about my experience with the ones my husband and I have tried, share with you what I have read, and wish you the best. If you are a Maine resident there is a group called The Mindful Maine Mamas and Papas and they have a baby carrier library where you can try different carriers before investing in them.
Baby carriers can be pricy! When I was pregnant I was trying to save money in every way that I could, so I spent quite a bit of time exploring the consignment shops in my area where I found quite a few beautiful baby carriers. (I highly recommend that you take a look at consignment shops in your area). I chose to look for a sling because I had read that slings were the healthiest way to carry a newborn. In a sling the baby stays close to the caretaker and the baby’s head is right next to the heart of the person holding it so it feels safe. In a sling the baby is always in motion with the person who is caring for them—just like in the womb—so the baby stays content for longer periods of time. It is also womb-like in its cocooning shape so the baby feels secure. Dr. Sears, in The Baby Book, explains how it is physically healthier for a baby to be held in a sling than in an infant Snuggly, Baby Bjorn, or Infantino, until the baby is about three months old. He says that in those carriers there is too much weight put onto the baby’s spine before the spine is ready for it, whereas in a sling the baby is lying on its back or side-ish—sort of at a slant, which is gentle on the spine and good for the digestion. At first some babies may fuss when put in the sling, but after a few times of experiencing how “with you” they are in there, they will love it.
When I found a New Native Sling at a consignment shop made out of organic cotton, I knew this was the ONE! And it was. I happily used this sling until my baby was 5 months old. (An important thing to know about New Native slings is that it is important to order a small enough size so that the baby’s head is up near the wearer’s chest—this will be easier on the wearer’s back and make nursing in the sling more comfortable.)
In her infancy, my baby was happy lying in the sling and peeking out now and then. By the time she was three months old she preferred sitting in the sling and facing forward, but was happy to lay back when she wanted to nurse or sleep. When she was about four months old, she like to be carried on the hip most of the time. When she turned 6 months old, I knew I had to find something else because she was just getting too heavy to go on long walks in that position.
The other carrier that is great for infants is a wrap. These are especially great if the child has any digestive issues and needs to be vertical. The baby can be put in a vertical position in a wrap without putting any unhealthy pressure on their spine. Wraps can also be tied into a sling carrier and continue to be versatile as the baby grows. It may seem like a bigger investment in the beginning, but they can be used until the baby is too big to be carried. I thought that the wraps looked too bulky so I sought out a sling—but in retrospect, I wish I had used one when my baby was a newborn. My husband had a harder time wearing a sling because he has chronic back pains. I wish that we had tried a wrap when our baby was young for his sake. The wrap can be worn is such a way that it distributes the baby’s weight evenly over both shoulders. With a wrap he would have been able to carry her longer-- instead, when our baby was uncomfortable for him, I would carry her.
I had been given an Infantino and a back pack. I never really liked the bulk and extra weight of the Infantino (which is just like a Baby Bjorn) but it was comfortable enough. The baby back pack is great for my back, and it works really well for my husband, but I’ve noticed that on long hikes our baby’s legs fall asleep, and she squirms to get out of it much sooner than other carriers. So I continued to search for a better carrier for us.
That is when I found the Ella Roo Mei Tai and the wraps that we sell on this site. First we got a Mei Tai and I was instantly in love with it. It hardly weighs anything so it is just like carrying just my baby, except my hands are free! So, we can snuggle while I get things done. And, my baby can face forward, face in towards me, sit on my hip, or be on my back—all these positions in one carrier! It is pretty easy and fast to change positions also so she can always be comfortable. She really enjoys being in it. Its straps all fold in very easily so it doesn’t have any bulk hanging off and it is quick to put on. And, the Mei Tai comes in the most wonderful prints and there is only one size so you don’t have to worry about that aspect of the carrier.
|
