There are SO many baby carriers out there and if you don’t know what is what and for what stage of babyhood, it’s hard to know which to buy (or put on your baby registry). What worked for me was:
- One-piece SLING style carrier for BIRTH TO 2 MONTHS. This is before they can hold their head up. Also, I heard they aren’t supposed to be carried vertically for too long at this age, because it puts too much weight on their neck and spine. Hot brands: Peanut Shell, Hotsling, Sprout Pouch. I don’t really like the ring slings because they are bulky and slide if you’re carrying it too long.
- BABY BJOURN for 2-4 MONTHS. It’s easy to put on, compact and fits their small bodies pretty snugly. They are ready for this carrier only once they can hold their heads up by themselves because their spines need to be able to support the weight of their bodies in an upright position. The ERGO with infant insert or Butterfly BECO would work for this stage too, though I haven’t tried those yet. I only used the Bjorn because I had one as a handmedown.
- ERGO or BECO baby carrier when they get a little heavier. These two baby carriers distribute baby’s weight in your hips so you can carry them for hours without wrecking havoc on your shoulders/neck/back. The Ergo is awesome, and I borrowed my friend’s one until she needed it back for her second kid. That’s when I got the Beco because 1) it has prettier patterns and 2) it folds up more compactly to fit in your diaper bag, stroller or when traveling. It’s like $30 more or something. Sorry, I don’t have a pic of my Beco yet.
