As I see it, baby wearing accomplishes several things. One is to keep your baby close, out of harm’s way, and where you can be immediately aware of any discomfort or discontent occurring with him or her. Another is to promote closeness and bonding with an infant and security with an older baby or toddler. And lastly, for practical reasons- to comfort a fussy baby while you do housework, or to assist in carrying a child where a stroller isn’t practical or you wish to have both hands free for another task.
Basically, all baby carriers fulfill these goals. However the question is, which one does it the most comfortably, the most conveniently, and, in the best way for you and your baby’s spine. It was not until I had my third child that I thought to ask my trusted chiropractor for her advice on which carrier style was the healthiest! I actually got two opinions, and both chiropractors said that the pouch or sling-style carriers distributed the weight most evenly, and supported the baby’s delicate spine and neck in the healthiest way.
There are many different types of carriers out there. The five that I’ve had experience with are: the front-pack style (specifically the Baby Bjorn), a frame backpack, the Mei-Tai, a ring sling (specifically Maya Wrap brand), and a fitted, pouch-style carrier (which is what meeUp Baby Carriers is).
The first carrier I ever used was the front-pack carrier. I had some back problems and we were trying to make sure we purchased a carrier that was comfortable to wear. The particular carrier we owned was relatively easy to use and adjust; both my husband and I could wear it. But that was about the only good thing about it. It was bulky to take with us in the car, it was hot because of the thick padding where the baby sat, and worst of all, the baby is left dangling with it’s entire body weight supported by its tail bone and the middle of the pelvis. I was constantly feeling his feet to make sure they weren’t going numb as they hung straight down.
After I used it with my first son, I got frustrated and looked for another option. I had seen a few people wearing a ring-sling carrier and was intrigued. I liked the idea of it, the coolness and flexibility of the fabric, and the infinite adjustability the rings offered. The tail can be used to provide privacy when breast-feeding, shade in the sun, or extra warmth when there is a cool breeze. The ring sling can also be un-threaded and used as a padded strap in a shopping cart, or a tether for a wandering toddler. I’ve also been known to use mine as a light blanket in the car.
Unlike most carriers, there is a bit of a learning curve on using a ring-sling. I watched a few instructional videos online and practiced a lot, making sure my baby was fed, well-rested and happy when I did. The practice paid off, and my ring-sling became my third arm!
Somewhere in between these two carriers, we purchased a frame backpack. My husband really loved it for taking walks and for putting a fussy toddler in while he mowed the lawn. I used it a handful of times around the house, but it was pretty uncomfortable for me and hurt my back after just a short time. Based solely on personal experience, I would only recommend a frame pack if the parent/parents were avid hikers or campers. During that type of activity, it is essential to have the baby out of your line of sight and securely fastened in.
When I had my daughter, I ran across a tutorial on making a Mei-Tai carrier. A Mei-Tai is an Asian-inspired, soft, wrap style carrier. It is basically a square with four long ties coming off of the corners. It was really easy and fun to make and extremely comfortable to wear. With a Mei-Tai, the baby can either face you (tummy to tummy) or be worn on your back. Because of the lack of versatility, I wouldn’t recommend making this your exclusive carrier, but they are really comfortable for long walks or short hiking trips and a larger child can be carried in it backpack style.
After a while, bored with my Mei-Tai, but still enjoying my ring-sling, I wanted to investigate pouch carriers. I totally loved the look and simplicity of them. Turned off by the price for what seemed like a simple piece of fabric, I figured out how to make one for myself. That’s when meeUp Baby Carriers ™ was born. My mission was to make modern, stylish carriers that were super affordable. While a ring-sling carrier is ultra versatile and adjustable, the pouch carrier is sleek, simple, and a great way to introduce yourself to baby-wearing. I’ve also found it to be more comfortable on the shoulder for a larger baby or toddler and it folds up small enough to fit into the glove box of a vehicle!
At the end of my baby wearing journey, my favorite carriers are the ring sling and the pouch. No other carrier that I’ve tried offers the versatility, comfort, support and style of these two. Whether you are a new mom or a veteran mom, baby wearing is rewarding. If this is your first experience, start with the carrier that seems the most appealing and keep trying until you find one that is the perfect fit for you and your lifestyle. If you’ve been-there-done-that with baby wearing, try something new this time- you might be surprised!
Shelly is married to her high school sweetheart, and a mom to two boys and a girl. In her free time (Ha!) she writes for a review site called Peanut Butter and Pickles, and owns and runs a small business called meeUp Baby Carriers (http://www.meeupcarriers.blogspot.com). She is passionate about natural living, alternative medicine, home schooling, baby wearing, breastfeeding, art, color, design, thrift shops, sewing, and most importantly, following Jesus!
