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Cool Baby Carriers Free Up Your Hands
Filed under: Newborns, Babies, Baby Essentials, Mommy Musts, Gear Guides: Babies
Baby slings and carriers keep your hands free. Credit: Getty Images
There are lots of cool options that can free up your hands, while keeping your baby safe and close to you.
"I use my Ergo when I go grocery shopping rather than a car seat in the cart, " says Jessica Morrison, a sales associate at Boston's Tadpole. "If I need my hands free to get my 3-year-old into preschool, or the baby wants to be with me while I'm cleaning or doing laundry, it's great."
Morrison tells ParentDish in a phone interview that she uses the Ergo for her 7-month-old and wishes she had it when her 3-year-old was a baby.
"I even used it when my son was 2 -- we went on a light hike," she says.
The Ergo has a waist strap, in addition to shoulder straps, and the weight of the baby is mainly on your hips, making it easier to carry the child longer, according to Morrison.The Ergo allows a baby to be held in front of you, on your hip and also on your back when they get older.
Of course, infant carriers aren't entirely new. The classic Baby Bjorn, which holds babies in front, has been a staple since 1961. But in recent years, parents have been offered a growing number of options from which to choose.
Some parents prefer fabric slings to hold their baby close and keep their hands free, Target spokesperson Jana O'Leary tells ParentDish in a phone interview. Hotslings and Munchkin's Jelly Bean are fabric slings that are top sellers in Target stores and can be found at reasonable prices, she says. The colors and prints, reversible on the Jelly Bean style, are fashion-based and appeal to busy parents.
"A lot of parents like to use the slings for newborns because they are in a reclining position, they're close to you and you can snuggle the baby as it curls into you," Morrison says.
She admits, as a nervous first-time mom, she was not as comfortable with some of the sling options, but says many people she knows have no reservations and love their slings.
Whatever you decide, be sure to do a test run in the store with your baby before you buy.
"Be aware the first time you try it, your baby will scream," Morrison says. "But I think persistence pays off. All of them feel a little awkward at first because you're not holding your baby."
She urges moms to keep an open mind, because the right infant carrier offers comfort, safety and, most importantly, freedom.
Related: An eco-friendly baby carrier
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ReaderComments (Page 1 of 1)
3-27-2011 @ 9:50PM
NF said...I'm sorry, where have these people been? I wore my babies almost 30 years ago and, although they weren't as easy to find, many styles were available. Also, women all over the world have used various types of baby carriers for thousands of years. Is this now considered relevant because some high profile entertainment personalities have made it more acceptable?
Also, the blanket statement stating, "Be aware the first time you try it, your baby will scream." is very curious. I'm not sure why the author believes this is so. I know many baby-wearing moms from long ago and now and this would be the exception, not the rule. In fact, my babies loved being in the carrier from the start.
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3-28-2011 @ 9:39AM
Lauren Gavinside said...These things are great for keeping your baby close to you and watching them as they nap or something, but you can still accomplish getting things done. There are some giveaways on Http://bit.ly/GoodGiveaways They also feature various freebies throughout the week and when I checked over the weekend they had a new diaper sample. With the rate babies go through diapers, it's always a + to find some for free!
3-28-2011 @ 4:19PM
Megamom said...I frequently get comments from women about how they wish "those things" had been around 5 or 10 or 20 years ago. Infant carriers ("babywearing") have been around for thousands of years across many different cultures. The only thing that is "new" is being able to buy one in a mainstream store. Many women make their own slings and wraps, and have been doing so for centuries. But even 20 or 30 years ago you could order a sling from an ad in natural parenting and breastfeeding magazines. I think it is fantastic that manufactured baby carriers are so easy to find these days, but the only thing that has changed is that babywearing is not just a "hippie" thing anymore.
I "wore" my children from birth, and I even still wear my 3 year old at times. I have three different styles of carriers and I love them all for different reasons. (The "classic" Baby Bjorn was very short-lived in my house - my least favorite of any I have tried.) You don't have to limit yourself to one carrier. A wrap, such as a Moby wrap, is great for an infant, a sling (I use Zolowear) is my favorite to throw in my diaper bag, and a soft-structured carrier (I love the Beco Butterfly, which is similar to the Ergo) is perfect for hiking or walking around a theme park or zoo.
"Be aware the first time you try it, your baby will scream," - Really? Neither one of my kids screamed the first time I put them in a carrier. In fact, many times they preferred to be wrapped in the Moby or sling, especially as newborns. If your baby screams, you probably do not have them positioned correctly and they are uncomfortable. Babywearing should be comfortable for both baby and parent. Some carriers do take a little practice to get used to, but after you have it down, you will wonder why anyone carries around their car seat.
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4-07-2011 @ 5:30PM
Adriana Shuman said...I own an eco friendly children's store in Montecito, CA (and online)called Summer For Kids and we love the Moby Wrap, It’s one of our top sellers and new moms are always telling us how much they prefer that over the other carriers out there! The Moby is specifically to carry the weight of your baby by using your entire back and shoulders, thereby not overtaxing one area. Moby wrap is ideal as babies love being so close to their moms. The Moby can hold up to 35lbs, which is wonderful for those hands free times. :)
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