HOW TO CHOOSE A BABY CARRIER

HOW TO CHOOSE A BABY CARRIER

How to choose the ideal baby carrier?

Baby carriers have advantages, including making life easier for parents and promoting the development of a secure attachment in young children.

To keep your baby close to you with your hands free, the baby carrier is ideal, at home or on the go. Depending on the model, it is suitable for several months or years, even for hiking!

THE ADVANTAGES OF THE BABY CARRIER

Baby carriers have the advantage of allowing increased mobility when traveling on foot or in public transport. They also offer the possibility for the parent to go about other occupations while keeping an eye on the child and being available to meet his needs. There are several kinds of models depending on the age of the child and the intended use.

For a newborn, the ventral baby carrier is essential. The little one is installed in front of you, well coiled, in emotional security: he can smell your smell, your breathing and the beating of your heart.

Prone position: ease of use: its attachments, equipped with a double safety mechanism, require a lot of dexterity. In terms of comfort in the prone position.

From 4 months,

some models allow children to face the world to satisfy their curiosity. Be careful not to leave it too long in this position, tiring because very stimulating. And since he doesn't see you, talk to him, take his hands in yours.

Finally, when he is sitting on his own, around 6 months old,

you can carry him on his back if the model foresees it of course. Some baby carriers are even designed on the principle of backpacks, with frame, to allow hiking. Here again, care must be taken to ensure that the child is wide awake and does not fall asleep with his head hanging down. For long walks, it is therefore better that a second adult be there to keep an eye on him.

Supine position:

carrying a child on the back is the most difficult position to master. The challenge is increased with the Mei Tai models, which do not have adjustable straps, unlike the preformed bags. During your first uses, get help, or lay the baby carrier on a bed, put baby in it and tie the straps. times in place. The Mei Tai models and the preformed bags are comfortable. Babies are stable there and parents have good freedom of movement.

Important: the headrest

Infants' necks are fragile and do not support their heads well. Of the baby carriers reviewed, only the Mei Tai and Mom Kangaroo models do not include an adjustable headrest. The best and the right choices have one, which can retract as the child begins to gain full control of the muscles in their neck.

Ease of use and comfort

All baby carriers allow you to seat your child in the front, facing you, and behind. These two positions, the most common. Some models also allow you to carry the baby in the front, face outward, or on the hip. The latter position is tiring for the wearer, however, as the baby's weight is only on one side.

Among the strengths to look for: comfort, ease of installation in the prone or back position, ease of use, adjustable headrest and safety. The preformed baby carrier and Mei Tai type baby carriers meet these criteria.

Preformed bag or Mei Tai type?

Whether you choose one or the other, there are no bad carriers. The Mei Tai models, very simple in design and made of soft fabric, adjust well to the curves of the wearer. Plus, when folded, they take up very little storage space.

The preformed bags, on the other hand, have adjustable straps and clasps. Overall quick to put on and a bit more comfortable than Mei Tai styles.

Do you plan to use your baby carrier for long periods of time, for example to visit museums? Choose one of the preformed bags.

The rigid baby carrier

This is the most popular type of baby carrier on the market. It is equipped with buckles, straps, straps and fasteners. Care should be taken when choosing one, as some models do not allow a proper position for the baby. Some will also have to be adapted for a newborn baby. Worn on the parent's back, these products have frames that keep the baby in a seated or mid-seated position. These models seem to be used mostly for outdoor activities. They often concern children over nine months old.

The Mei-tei

This baby carrier is a compromise between a sling and a rigid baby carrier. It is made of a square piece of fabric with two straps forming a belt at the waist and two long straps to tie at the shoulders. It adjusts easily, but if you want to carry a newborn baby, be sure to choose a model that allows for the necessary adjustments..

The slung baby carrier

This baby carrier can be used on one shoulder only. Some models are made from a single piece of fabric folded back on itself to form a pocket. Others are adjustable with rings. In both cases, this type of baby carrier sets up very quickly and is therefore ideal for short periods of carrying. The fact that all the baby's weight rests on one shoulder, however, makes its use uncomfortable for a long time. Some of these baby carriers have a fixed size, which does not allow them to be used by 2 carriers who are not the same size.

The scarf

This baby carrier is simply made of a long piece of fabric that must be tied to install the baby. It is therefore a little longer and more complicated to install. Once properly adjusted, however, the sling is very comfortable, as it distributes the baby's weight well over both shoulders. It can thus be used for longer periods.

There are two types of scarves depending on the fabric of manufacture. The one made of stretch fabric can be used for a newborn baby, but quickly becomes uncomfortable when the baby gains weight. The woven scarf can be used from birth until the age of 3 or 4 years.

There are plenty of models out there, each with interesting advantages that others don't. They vary depending on the number of compartments or the material used. Making a choice may therefore seem difficult. We've taken matters into our own hands to help you with your research.

Here are the different models of baby carriers