Choosing the best baby carrier for your baby is important to avoid injuries and discomfort for both you and your baby. There are several factors to consider when choosing a carrier. Here is a guide to some of them.
Use
What is the purpose of buying a carrier? Is it for use for strolls, malling, etc.? Or do you need it for long term use such as for vacations overseas or different adventures and activities? Or do you simply want one for home use? There are different types of carriers for different activities so before buying, be sure that you list all uses for the baby carrier so that you can pick a model that will accommodate all these activities.
Baby’s Age
Age matters because a newborn up to 5 months old still does not have enough strength to support his neck so you need to find a carrier that has the right amount of neck support. These babies are more used to a fetal or curled up position because that’s their position in the belly for 9 months. There are different carriers recommended for each age group. As mentioned above, newborns up to 5 months require carriers with neck support. The next group is 5-18 months. These babies have already developed enough neck support and are now more curious about the world around them. An upright position when carrying is ideal for this age also because of their increasing weight. A carrier that can be slung over your shoulders is now ideal for this age. Babies and toddlers from 18 months to 3 years old are more active but they still need ample sleep. Although they would rather play than sleep, it is still best to get a carrier for long trips such as shopping and hiking for when they suddenly get sleepy. You need an ergonomic carrier that can support your child’s weight and protect your back.
Baby’s Height and Weight
Be sure to know the weight limit for a baby carrier. Not all babies at a certain age have the same height and weight. A certain type of carrier may be recommended for a 2 year old. Your baby may be 2 years old but his weight may be that of a 3 year old and height of a 3.5 year old so you better watch out for that. A short carrier may result to spine injuries. Another thing to watch out for is the real weight limit of a carrier. Some carriers claim that they can carry up to 30 lbs but in reality, 8 pounds is the maximum for the wearer as anything higher than that can already feel uncomfortable.
Comfort
You and your baby should be comfortable when using the carrier. For your baby, he needs one that has good neck and spine support. He needs a carrier that will not hinder his growth and development and cause conditions such as spondylolisthesis. On your part, you need a carrier that allows an even distribution of weight and adequate back support for you especially if you intend to carry baby at long intervals. A carrier should also be snug and not let the baby move around resulting to uneven weight distribution. This can cause injuries to the wearer.
Quality
Price is not a guarantee of quality. The only thing that can help you decide if a carrier is of good quality is its brand’s track record. Find out which brands have good reviews. Stay away from brands that have incident/accident/failure reports. You can’t compromise with your baby’s life involved. If you need to invest money, then do so. Protecting your child is more important than saving a few hundred bucks.
Other points of interest
Other things that you need to consider are budget, style and design and ease of use. Your budget goes hand in hand with the brand, quality and design of your choosing. If you know you have a limited budget, start saving up early so that you can get a good quality carrier. The colors, style and design are dependent on the parents. If the carrier will be shared by the father then you need a neutral-colored carrier. Your carrier should also be very easy to wear and remove.
Take these things into consideration when shopping for a baby carrier and you are sure to find the perfect one for you and your baby.
This article was brought to you by thekidswindow.co.uk, your source for the best baby stuff on the Internet.
