ERGObabyThis is the ultimate baby carrier. It is incredibly comfortable to use and doesn't put pressure on your back or shoulders, so you can carry your baby for hours without feeling strained. You can wear your baby in the front, as well as on the back. You can nurse in it, and it has a sleeping hood to cover the baby when asleep. Durable enough to carry up to 90 lbs, it is also very comfortable for the baby and puts no pressure on their thighs and buttocks. The carrier comes in a wide selection of organic fabrics.
The downside: this carrier is bulky like a backpack, so if your baby doesn't want to be carried, you are stuck carrying the baby and the backpack-like carrier! The side carrying position is also not very practical. Not everyone can adjust to nursing in this carrier, and the color selection is not the most appealing. This carrier is not the most convenient for an infant, it is much easier to use with a bigger baby, two-three months and up.
The verdict: this is a great carrier. I have actually seen Keren's (my friend) daughter Naomi bring the carrier to her mom and ask to be carried in it. And my friend Ilya, who has back problems, carried his twenty-five pound son, Benny, for 3 hours in it without complaining. This carrier is great for anyone with back problems or if you need to carry your baby for long periods at a time. It also adjusts easily, so you can share it with your partner and other friends and relatives. Plus, in cold weather you can wear it over your jacket. This is the sporty mom carrier.
Price range: $105 - $148
Baby K'tan
Parent invented. Voted the best baby carrier for men. This is a wonderful carrier. It comes in wearable practical colors, which includes an organic option. It has eight different positions which are very easy to use, and it provides great back support. You can easily nurse in it, as well as carry a child of up to 42 pounds. Instructional videos are available online. It is also suitable for twins.
The downside: with this carrier you best make double sure you get the right size, otherwise it will be uncomfortable. Mark, my husband, happens to be between sizes. The small is tight on him and leaves no space for Zoe, while the medium is too loose, so he is uncomfortable carrying her in it. My friends, Alena and Zhanna, who fall under the small category, found that the x-small is actually more comfortable for them. There is some period of adjustment, and I still cannot figure out the back carrying position. I don't think you can put the baby on your back without someone else's help, at least I can't. I am afraid to drop her while putting her in the carrier and that she might fall out while on my back.
The verdict: this carrier is for you if you need a carrier that isn't bulky, which you can put in your bag when not in use. It is practical, good for running errands, and perfect for a toddler who likes being on the move, and often gets in and out of the carrier (like my Zoe). It is quite easy to nurse in, and good for both cold and warm climates. This carrier is for the mom on the go.
Price range: $57.75 - $68.25
New Native Baby Carrier
An amazing carrier for warmer climates or summer months. Incredibly easy to use and very light, the carrier is just one piece with a pouch that you put over your shoulder. It is very wide, giving you good back support. Included is an instructional DVD to illustrate all the available carrying positions. The carrier comes in many beautiful colors in 100% cotton and some beautiful organic fabrics. Very easy to nurse in and just about ideal for newborns up to 35 pounds. And when not in use it takes up almost no space at all; just tuck it away on the bottom of your purse and fish it out when you need it. The carrier looks quite beautiful, and I often get complimented on the street when I wear it. Also suitable for twins.
The downside: When I was checking out reviews on this carrier, many women complained of back pains. Personally, I have no problems of any kind when using it, but I can see how somebody prone to having back pains could have difficulty with it. Other women could not figure out how to nurse in it. I think it depends on the size and shape of the breast. It seems that women with large breasts may have difficulty nursing in this carrier. The carrier is a pouch. When you look at the image you need to understand that the back side of the pouch is symmetrical to the front of the pouch, so women with large breasts would need to figure out a way to get their breast inside the pouch. Another thing is that in order for your newborn to be comfortable in it you need to either roll up a towel and place it inside the pouch to prop your baby up or buy a pillow from www.newnative.com. It also takes a little getting used to, but that's true for just about any carrier you get. And one last thing, it comes in different sizes, so you need to get your size right, but the customer service is very good at helping you figure out the size you need.
The verdict: this is my personal all-time favorite carrier, but regrettably I can't use it in the winter. First of all, I would need a different size to wear it over my coat. Second, my overdressed baby would feel very claustrophobic in a pouch wearing layers of winter clothing. Third, if I chose to underdress my baby with the purpose of carrying her in the sling, the carrier is not warm enough to protect the baby from the cold. That said, it's not an impossible endeavor. They do sell a warmer version of the sling with a fleece layer inside, you just need to make sure to get the size right once again, if you intend to wear it over a jacket.
This carrier is for you if you intend to use it in a warm climate, if you need a fashinable carrier that is incredibly light and takes up almost no space in your purse when not in use, and if you have a strong back that can take pressure without a problem. And as I have already mentioned, you can nurse in it if your body shape permits. Personally, I have used this carrier in all of its positions, and I love it. This is the gypsy-hippie mom carrier.
Price range: $42 - $90
DIDYMOS
This is a woven baby wrap. It is made with organic cotton and comes in many beautiful prints. You can use it for as long as you want. It has many different positions, and can double as a hammock, a blanket, or a shawl. The only thing is that you need to practice a lot to learn to use is, but once you learn, it’s a great baby carrier. It is also suitable for twins.
The downside: It is one of the priciest carriers out there. It comes in different lengths, and you need to get your size right. My carrier cost me $160. I am a tall girl and I should have gotten the $180 carrier, but I read some reviews that said that there is no need to get the longest wrap according to your body type, so I chose to save $20, and as a result I am limited in several positions, and the bigger my baby gets the less positions I can use. This is a big mistake, especially when paying so much money. Besides, it requires a lot of practice, and you really need to know what you are doing, otherwise you will be stuck with a crying baby and a lot of fabric on the floor all around you. However, once you overcome these difficulties you will find a very nice carrier on your hands.
The verdict: this carrier is for you if you intend on using many different positions. Or if you enjoy playing with a lot of fabric. Or if you want a carrier that can also be used as a blanket, a scarf, a shawl, a hammock, a playtime tent, and you don't mind having a lot of fabric to work with. This carrier is very thick and durable, and perfect for any climate. And since DIDYMOS is located in Germany, I got mine from The Birdie's Room in Canada, who ship to the US without a problem. This is the nature mom carrier.
Price range: $100 - 200
Ring Baby Carriers: Maya Wrap or Sakura Bloom
Easy to use adjustable baby carrier. Comes in many colors and fabrics, including cotton, silk and an organic fabric option. The carrier is easy to nurse in and holds up to 35 lbs.
The downside: this carrier puts pressure on your back and shoulders, so it may not be a good option for those with back problems. You need to learn how to use the ring in order to adjust the carrier. My friend Jen swear by this carrier and she is very good at explaining how to use it, but I have met girls who could not figure out on their own the proper way to adjust this sling. However, once you learn it is actually very easy to use. The Maya Wrap offers a padded version, but I wouldn't recommend getting it, because it is just extra fabric to carry and really doesn't make wearing the baby any more comfortable for either mommy or baby.
The verdict: this carrier is for you if you have a strong back, and preferably live in a warm climate. The easiest two positions of this carrier are the sleeping/nursing position, and the hip position. It is one size fits all, so even if you and your husband are different sizes and shapes, you only need one carrier, which you can easily share with other friends and relatives as well. Sakura Bloom offers some incredible fabric and color options that include silks and organics that look very fancy, beautiful and elegant. It can run incredibly pricey, but they also have affordable options, offering a great selection and customization. This is the urban mom carrier.
Price range: $50 - $540
So, there you have it - my top five favorite carriers. I actually have three of them, but now that I have written this post, I want all five. I bet Mark will be very happy to hear that ;-) Feel free to share your experience with these and other carriers right here on my blog, and please write to me if you have any questions. Also, if you have any specific issues or concerns, I will be happy to help you find the best carrier for you.
with all my love,
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Jenya
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