So Many Choices

If you have looked at anything about babywearing, you will quickly learn that there are many, many choices. It can be overwhelming at first but the wonderful thing is that you have many options and you can find what works best for you!

Types of Carriers

Wraps:

Woven Wraps:

Woven wraps are very very popular. They are very versatile have many different carries that you can do! They are also great for newborns up to toddlers. They come in many different colors and are so beautiful.

The downside of these wraps is that they can be difficult to learn and look very intimidating. But, I promise you that once you get the hang of it, they are wonderful and so comfortable that you can wear your little one for hours without pain.

There are also different lengths of wraps. Shorter wraps obviously can't do as many carries but they are more convenient with some carries so you dont have a bunch of excess length.

The most common brands are: Girasol, Didymos, Hoppediz, and Neobulle,

This is a Girasol Woven called Claudia Jean 4.6

Stretchy Wraps:

I really like stretchy wraps for newborns. I didn't have a woven when Levi was young so maybe that is why but I really enjoyed my stretchy wrap.

Sleepy Wrap is the most common seller of stretchy wraps, however you can make one your self for a lot cheaper. Do it yourself and pick the fabric you want! You dont even need sewing skills (unless you want to hem the edges).

This is my husband, Levi and I camping when Levi was 2 months old. I kept him in there the whole time and he loved it! It is a wonderful, comfortable, discreet way to nurse.

This is another wrap I made. Please note that this is NOT the correct way to wear a wrap. I slid him in it real quick for the picture so you could still see the wrap.

I sewed a patch of fabric to the center but that is not necessary, it was just for looks.

Mei Tais (MT)

A Mei Tai is a rectangle fabric that has four long straps to wrap and tie around you. You can wear it on your front or back. It is a little more versatile than a Soft Structure Carrier and it doesn't have any buckles.

The most common brand is BabyHawk which is what I have personally and I love.

Other brands are: Bamberoo, Kozy, Freehand, Catbird Baby, and there is a work at home mom who makes wonderful carriers called Wrapstar.

With that being said, please be careful of homemade MTs. Some can be great but be sure to do your research because some are not heavy duty.

This is a back carry in my BabyHawk- Levi was about 4 months so he was a little small for a back carry but he didn't mind it.

This is one of the front carries- Levi was 8 months here

SSC (soft structure carriers)

These carriers are similar to MTs but they have buckles instead of ties. They are great for babies of any size. Most carriers have newborn inserts in them but also can carry toddlers up to 45lbs. They are easy to adjust which makes them nice for all sized of kids and for dads.

Most common brands are: Beco, Ergo, Pikkalo, Oh Snap (babyhawk brand), and Patapum.

My personal favorite is Beco but the only other SSC I have tried is a Patapum (which I also loved). I think SSC is all about preference. I have heard all different moms say different things about what they like and don't like. I have the Beco and it works wonderful for us. I like it because it is comfortable, quick and easy.

This is the scooters Beco. It is absolutely beautiful. I love it.

This is a back carry (sorry its blurry, its from my phone).

Ring Slings

Ring slings are wonderful. I just got my first one a few months ago and I love it. It is very quick and looks cute with any outfit. I haven't tried it with a newborn but I could see how Levi would have loved it when he was smaller.

The most common brands are: Sleeping Baby Productions (known as SPB) and Sakura Bloom (my favorite).

It is possible for you to make your own but if you do, please only use these sling rings and these instructions.

This is my beautiful Sakura Bloom

This is part of the Hana Collection and has silk on the tail

This is my favorite carrier for when I get more dressed up. It looks super cute.

Pouches

These are probably the most main stream carriers (other than the Bjorn which I will be talking more about later). These carriers are similar to to a ring sling without the ring. I used a pouch when Levi was a newborn and I did like it for a while but Levi didn't like being laid down any more so we moved onto the stretchy wrap.

The most common brands are: Hotsling and Peanut Shell.

This is a Hotsling.

This was when Levi was 1 month old

I hope you have found this a little bit helpful. If you are new to babywearing, please to not be overwhelmed just yet! It may seem like a lot right now but once you do some research, it's pretty simple.

If you have any questions, please feel free to ask. And stay tuned for more topics such as: where to buy used, how to wear correctly and more info on dangerous carriers.