Soft front packs

Price range: $45 to $300 (depends on the quality of construction and the number of features).

Description: A soft front pack is a padded carrier worn on your front (or sometimes on your back); two leg-holes and a crotch piece support the baby. It's ideal for a young baby who can snuggle up against you in the facing-inwards position.

Many front-pack carriers also let you carry your baby facing out - but this is suitable only for babies who have developed good head and neck control (and who want to see what's going on).

Manufacturers say the carriers are suitable for babies from birth up to one year. Most recommend that babies up to four months old are carried facing inwards.

According to slingbabies.co.nz, baby's legs should always be straddling you, copying the way you hold your baby in your arms.

What to look for

• Shoulder straps should be broad and well padded. They should cross over at the back, to help distribute the weight and to stop them slipping off your shoulders.
• Straps should be long enough to fit other adults who may want to use the carrier, and should be easily adjustable with one hand.
• Straps shouldn't obscure your baby's face or cut into it.
• A hip or waist strap should be broad, so that it takes some weight off your shoulders and stops the carrier from moving sideways.
• Clips and buckles are usually easier to do up and release than straps that tie up.
• Head support is particularly important for younger babies who have little or no head and neck control.
• Inside seams should be well finished, to avoid rubbing or chafing.
• A padded seat adds comfort.
• The crutch should be adjustable, to suit the size of your baby.
• Leg holes should not be big enough to let the baby slip through. (Safety domes on leg holes can prevent smaller babies falling out.)
• A removable harness can be used to secure your baby in a shopping trolley.
• Mesh vents provide ventilation.
• A dribble guard protects your clothes.
• A storage pouch can be useful.
• An attachable rain guard or sun cover gives extra protection from the elements.
• Make sure your baby's face is uncovered, and that they can breathe freely. Also make sure their legs and arms are comfortably positioned.

Readers' comments about soft front packs

Good points

• Provides close physical contact with your baby.
• Good for getting baby to sleep, and lets you get things done around the house.
• Facing-out option good for infants who are aware of their surroundings, facing-in option good when they want to sleep.

But

• Your baby may not like being in such close contact with your front or back for long periods - and babies with high activity levels may not like it even for short periods.
• Can be hard on your back if the straps don't cross over. You often have weaker stomach muscles after pregnancy, so you can't use these muscles to help you carry the weight.
• Can get harder to carry when your baby gets heavier.
• Makes it difficult to pick things up.
• Hard to remove a sleeping baby from a front pack.
• Couldn't do much work at the kitchen bench.