Lullaby Baby Carriers Blog

If you haven’t already checked out the sale on Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Slings and Wrap ‘N Wear Baby Wraps, you’d better hurry – there aren’t very many left!

You won’t find a better price online for brand new baby carriers!

Go to Lullaby Baby Carriers now and get one while supplies last!

With the winter holidays just around the corner, I’ve decided to massively drop the prices on two of my favorite baby carriers! From now through December you can get 45% off:

the Maya Wrap Lightly Padded Ring Sling

or the Wrap ‘n Wear Cotton Baby Wrap.

I only have a small number of overstocked items available at this price, so if you’re interested, you might want to hurry over to Lullaby Baby Carriers to see what’s available!

And if your product is being shipped to a Canadian address, you can also redeem a coupon for FREE SHIPPING!  That’s an additional savings of $15.00!  Of course, continental US addresses still receive free shipping automatically.

If you need a carrier, or know someone who does, you might want to check this out!

Claim Your Special Offer Here!

With so many great baby carriers on the market today, it can certainly be difficult to choose the one that’s best for you and your child.  This article presents a series of questions to help you narrow down your choices.

What is most comfortable for you?

It’s important to consider your personal comfort first when deciding on a baby carrier; after all, if you’re not comfortable with it you probably won’t use it. There are certainly enough babywearing options available to find one that meets both you and your baby’s needs.

First you need to ask whether you prefer the baby’s weight to be balanced over both shoulders or just one. Many people like the quick and easy one-shoulder sling, whereas others need the baby’s weight to be distributed evenly over both shoulders to be comfortable.

Also, if more than one parent will be using the carrier, you may want to look for one that can be adjusted quickly and easily; some baby carriers are sized to fit only one wearer.

How much time will you spend learning how to use it?

If you’re committed to spending some time mastering a baby wrap, it is by far the most versatile carrier, accommodating multiple positions and age ranges.  However, many people would prefer something quicker and easier like simple baby carriers slings.

What stage or age is your child?

Some baby carriers are more suitable for carrying newborns and even for breast feeding, while others, which distribute weight differently or allow for back-carrying, may work better for older children.

You might prefer to invest in two carriers to meet different needs and ages, or perhaps you are hoping to find one that is designed for use from birth through to toddler.  Some carriers, such as the baby wrap, are more flexible than others, offering various carrying positions designed for use from birth through to toddler.

What will you use your baby carrier for?

Are you looking for a carrier to run quick errands, pick up older children from school, or for discreet hands-free nursing? In these cases, baby carriers slings may be a good choice because they are easy to get on and off as needed and are best for breastfeeding.

If you plan to carry your child during longer periods such as while shopping, hiking or working, then baby carriers backpacks, which support your child’s weight over two-shoulders or displace some of the weight to your hips may be a better option.

Do you have more than one child or a fussy child that would require a variety of carrying positions?  A baby carrier that is easily adjustable may be most important to you.

Size and portability are another consideration.  Do you need it to fit in your purse for quick and frequent access, or are you going to wear it for long periods of time when size is less of an issue?

What is your budget?

Obviously, cost may affect some parents’ choice of baby carriers, but you can still get a great carrier on a small budget.  Simple ring or pouch slings will be more affordable than baby carriers backpacks and you’ll still get all the benefits of babywearing.

If your budget allows for more, you can splurge on luxury designs and fabrics, or even purchase more than one baby carrier for different activities or different stages of your child’s growth. While this may sound extravagant, if you consider the high cost of a luxury stroller, two baby carriers are a relatively small investment.  Moreover, many parents find they end up using their baby carriers more than they expected – for some, even more than their stroller.

What is your style preference?

Do you have a penchant for a certain carrier style, fabric or print?  If you’re uncertain about your ability to master the tying techniques of a baby wrap, you may opt for a sling. Or perhaps you love the traditional look of a Mai Tai baby carrier. Whatever your inclination, you’ll certainly be able to find a carrier that will suit your needs for practicality, comfort and style.

What should you look for in a soft carrier?

• Strong and completely washable fabric
• Well finished seams and stress-points where the straps fasten to the pack
• Ease of use and good fit
• Heavy duty fasteners such as rings or buckles
• Easily adjustable to fit a growing baby
• A means to support baby’s head

What should you look for in rigid framed baby carriers backpacks ?

• Thick shoulder pads
• Padded hip belt to redistribute the weight from your shoulders to your hips
• A comfortable seat design for baby – doesn’t force baby’s legs apart or have the seat below the leg holes, which may cut off circulation
• Sturdy seat belt to prevent baby from standing up in the carrier
• Padding on the front rail to protect baby’s face from the carrier frame as you walk
• Sturdy stretch-resistant, easy to clean fabric, with reinforced seams at stress points
• A storage section on the back or base of the pack
• A support stand to help you load the baby in the pack and set them down again

Is there a “perfect” baby carrier?

All styles of baby carriers have their advantages and disadvantages and unfortunately no single carrier serves every purpose perfectly. After considering your own needs you simply have to select the one that suits you best. Try not to get too hung up on finding the perfect baby carrier. Just relax and enjoy the lifetime of benefits that come from wearing your baby close to you.

With so many varieties of baby carriers on the market today, it can be overwhelming for new parents to determine which one is the best choice for them.  The reality is that each carrier has its advantages and disadvantages and most are geared towards a specific baby stage and type of use, so buying the “wrong” one for you can be a real disappointment.  Using a carrier that’s aimed for use with an infant for toting a toddler will likely be cumbersome and even painful, or using a bigger toddler type carrier could be unsafe for an infant.  These are obviously extreme examples, but in this article you will learn the subtle differences between different carriers that may become the deciding factor on what’s right for you.

Nearly all child carriers on the market fall into one of these 5 categories:

• Baby Wraps (Stretch or Woven)
• Baby Slings (Pouch or Ring)
• Mei Tai Baby Carriers
• Soft Structured Baby Carriers
• Framed Backpack Carriers

Baby Wraps

A baby wrap is definitely the least structured baby carrier on the market, and perhaps surprisingly, it’s also the most versatile by far.  It is made quite simply from a swath of cotton fabric, typically a long rectangular strip although some are square, that is tied around parent and child and secured with a knot.  There are unlimited ways to tie a wrap that allow your child to be carried in any position you like.  While it takes a little practice to learn the different ways to tie one, you shouldn’t be intimidated by this, as one tying method could be used for 3 or 4 different carrying positions, so if you’re not interested in learning more than that you’ve still got a very versatile carrier.  Wraps provide exceptional comfort for both parent and child, even with heavy toddlers, as the child’s weight can be evenly distributed over both shoulders and hips.  Another bonus is that one size will typically fit any adult.

There are two main types of baby wraps available – one is stretchy and the other is not.  Both are typically made of 100% cotton, which is great for comfort and breathability.  A stretch wrap is made with a cotton jersey fabric, like a high-quality t-shirt material, whereas the non-stretch wrap is made of sturdier woven cotton.

Stretch Wraps

The stretch cotton wrap is most ideally used with a newborn or light baby (under 25 lbs) because it can stretch out of shape as you move around with a heavier child.  With a light baby though, this wrap is perfect for a swaddling effect as it really snugs your little one close.  The fabric is very soft and the stretch makes it incredibly comfortable for both the parent and child.  It’s also more forgiving for new wrap users because if you tie it too tight or too loose, you can usually reposition your baby or the wrap without having to re-tie it, and you can get the baby in and out easier too.

Woven Wraps

The non-stretch or woven wrap is really the workhorse of the two because you’ll get so much more use out of it.  Since it is so supportive, it can be used for babies right through to toddlerhood (up to 40 lbs).  It does take a little more practice than the stretch wrap to master, but in the long run, it is so worthwhile.  And remember, just one basic tying method will allow for a few different carrying positions, or try your hand at a few more and you’ve got unlimited options.  This wrap is much more effective for back carries than the stretch wrap because it won’t sag with a heavier child.

Strengths

• very comfortable for both baby and adult
• most versatile, with unlimited carrying positions
• easily adapts to various baby weights and sizes
• one size usually fits any adult
• keeps baby warm in cool weather

Weaknesses

• requires some practice to be efficient at tying
• can be warm in the summer

Baby Slings

While the wrap is the least structured, the baby sling is the least complicated.  It is sleek, compact and absolutely easy to use.  Its simplicity is likely the reason that it’s one of the most popular carriers.  You can put it on and take it off just like a shoulder bag worn across the chest.  Your child can be easily placed in or taken out as often as you please, and the compact sling can be tucked in your purse or diaper bag.  A baby sling is a sure favourite for newborns and for hands-free nursing – every new mom should have one to ease into life with a baby.

Ring Slings

Ring slings are made from a length of sturdy fabric pulled through two rings which are fastened to the end.  The pouch that is formed in the loop of fabric is where your baby sits.  The size of the sling is easily adjusted by pulling the fabric through the rings to tighten or loosen the pouch.  This simple adjustability allows for any sized adult to carry the child in multiple positions.  Some ring slings have a padded shoulder for the adult, or padded edge “rails” for the comfort of the child’s legs, and many have a pocket sewn into the tail of fabric that is left from being pulled through the rings.  The pocket is useful for carrying small extras and the tail can be used for sun protection or discreet nursing.

Pouch Slings

Pouch slings are quite certainly as simple as a carrier can be.  They are made from a circle of fabric that is folded in half and sewn together at the ends to make a pouch.  They are usually fitted to the adult who will be using it, but some are invisibly adjustable to allow for sharing the sling or resizing it as your child grows.

Strengths

• completely simple to use
• the most compact – it will easily fit in a purse or diaper bag
• perfect for the newborn stage – easy transition from womb to sling
• easy to get baby in and out
• easiest for hands-free nursing
• pouch style has no extra tail of fabric to figure out; ring style has a tail that can be used for a nursing cover or sun shade

Weaknesses

• Size is important in a pouch sling; ring slings make sizing easier, but require adjusting with each use.
• only one-shouldered support – less comfortable for extended wearing or for heavier babies
• a pouch is less versatile for carrying positions

Mei Tai Baby Carriers

The soft, stylish Mei Tai baby carrier is easy to use and comfortable with even the heaviest babies.  The modern Mei Tai is based on traditional Asian baby carriers. A Mei Tai is constructed with a small rectangular panel of fabric and long straps to go around the waist and over the shoulders. The long straps make it adjustable to fit almost any adult, so it is easily shared between caregivers, and allows for many carrying positions depending on how you tie it.  You can wear your child on your back, front or hip, tucked in or propped up to look around.

Strengths

• Great for back carrying a young baby (less than one year)
• weight is evenly distributed over both shoulders and hips
• very supportive
• very versatile, offering many carrying positions
• can be used front and back with a newborn to toddler (40 lbs)
• higher resale value

Weaknesses

• not as much padding as structured carriers (can be an advantage if you want less bulk)
• long straps may drag on ground while tying (difficult in wet weather)

Soft Structured Baby Carriers

If you add a few buckles, snaps and some extra padding to a Mei Tai, you’ll have a soft pack structured baby carrier.  This carrier is great to use for longer periods of time, as the weight is usually distributed across both shoulders and hips – however, some do not have a waist belt, which results in all the weight being carried on your shoulders.  Since newborns need more support for head and neck, a structured soft pack carrier is better for an older baby with head control.  The combination of comfort and simplicity has resulted in mainstream appeal among parents.

Strengths

• easy to use
• ergonomic – most have weight distributed to hips
• very supportive
• Dads love it
• high resale value

Weaknesses

• not usually recommended for newborns without head control (under 3 months)
• does not fold compact
• can be more expensive due to the amount of workmanship

Framed Backpack Carriers

Framed Backpack baby carriers are the most structured and supportive design of baby carriers. Inspired by hiking backpacks, they feature padded shoulder straps and stiff waist/hip belts, adjustable nylon straps, and lots of buckles that can be adjust on the fly for the perfect fit.  This is the Cadillac of baby carriers.  Ideal for long hikes or a walk about town, this backpack can be used to carry children weighing 40 lbs or more.

Strengths

• easy to use
• ergonomic – weight is evenly distributed between hips and shoulders
• the most supportive for both adult and child
• the ultimate in comfort for long periods of wear
• a favourite with Dads
• high resale value

Weaknesses

• not recommended for babies without full head control (under 4-5 months)
• does not fold compact
• expensive due to the level of workmanship