Kids & family
Baby carriers
Introduction
We checked out the features of 3 styles of baby carriers - soft front packs, slings, and backpacks.
Baby carriers provide an alternative form of baby transport. Apart from leaving your hands free when you're working around the house or out shopping, they're great for taking a baby where buggies won't go - such as bush walks or the beach.
Please note: this report does not contain brand-specific ratings or recommendations. It is a general buying guide.
What's available
There are 3 main types of baby carrier:
For babies up to 6 to 8 months (depending on their size), a soft, padded front pack or a sling worn across your front is a good option. When a baby can hold its head up, a soft carrier that lets the baby face outward is more suitable.
An older bigger baby is likely to find a fixed-frame backpack more comfortable to ride in. It offers greater freedom of movement - and you'll probably prefer to carry the weight on your back, rather than your front. But backpacks shouldn't be used for babies who can't support their head or correct their posture and balance.
Other baby carriers, such as the HipSeat or the Hip Carrier, are also available. They claim to support all of your child's weight (and relieve strain on your back). But they don't allow you to have your hands free because you need to hold your baby balanced on your hip.
Most carriers indicate what range of weights or ages they're suitable for. This can be useful for your very first carrier - for example, to see whether it's suitable for a small newborn baby. But in most cases you or your baby will decide when it's time to "upgrade": your baby will get too heavy or wriggly for you to carry safely, or too big to fit comfortably without feeling confined.
Baby slings
A baby sling
Price range: $55 to $120.
Description: A sling is essentially a length of fabric you wrap over one of both your shoulders and around your waist. It lets you carry your baby in front (lying down or sitting up), on your hip, or on your back. Adjustable rings or clips mean you can wear a newborn snug and high on your chest or a toddler on your hip. But don't have the sling too loose - this can make it uncomfortable for you and your baby.
A sling is useful for any occasion when you'd be carrying your baby for an extended period of time. It's also useful if you need an extra pair of hands when you're folding up a buggy. A sling doesn't take up much room, so it's easy to store.
The loose fit of a sling allows you to breastfeed discreetly. But a sling can also be a bit bulky for smaller babies - and it offers less security for older babies as they may slip out.
Note: The United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) and the US consumer organisation Consumers Union have raised concerns about the safety of baby slings, especially when they’re used for babies under the age of four months.
What to look for
- Shoulder padding provides comfort.
- Rings or clips make it easy to adjust the sling.
- A machine washable fabric will be easy to clean.
- Storage pockets can hold small items.
- A drawstring helps to secure your baby to stop them falling out.
Readers' comments about baby slings
Good points
- Good for a baby with severe reflux - baby was able to be kept upright.
- Very flexible: you can use different carrying positions in different circumstances.
- Excellent for breastfeeding discreetly in public .
- Good for getting baby to sleep while you keep your hands free.
- Lets your baby enjoy being close to you - and you can talk to your baby face to face.
- Allows you to carry older babies on your hip.
- Quicker than a front pack for getting baby in and out.
- Great for short distances.
- Easy to wash and store when you're not using it.
- Useful in conjunction with buggies: you can leave your buggy at the shop door and still carry your baby inside.
But
- Sometimes can get an achy shoulder after a long period of time.
- It's possible for the sling to slip down to the baby's neck, instead of supporting the head.
- Often needs a bit of adjustment to get baby comfortable.
- As baby got older he didn't like the cramped conditions, even in the sitting-up position.
- Baby would get heavy and tiring when you were using the sling for long periods, and if you were standing too much.
Soft front packs
Price range: $45 to $300 (depends on the quality of construction and the number of features).
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.
Backpacks
Price range: $90 to $280 (depends on the quality of construction and the number of features).
Description: A backpack carrier is basically a backpack with a fixed frame and fabric baby seat. Backpacks are suitable for older babies or toddlers who find soft carriers too confining and who are too heavy to be carried comfortably on your front (although some soft carriers can be worn on your back).
Manufacturers recommend backpacks as suitable for babies from four or five months and up to three years (or 16kgs). They should only be used when your baby can support its head and has quite a strong sturdy back.
Backpack carriers are great for taking your baby where buggies won't go - like the bush or the beach. They're also excellent on public transport. Backpacks provide more support for the wearer than front packs and slings do. But you may need to build up your strength and stamina. You won't be wearing just any old backpack - you'll be wearing a heavy wriggling one!
Some of the more expensive backpacks are sold at outdoor shops. They have lots of storage compartments and may come with accessories such as zip-off day bags and reflective strips. They may also be made of breathable mesh material.
What to look for
- Shoulder straps should be well-padded and adjustable.
- An adjustable crutch or seat provides comfort.
- A waist strap gives added support.
- An adjustable frame is useful if the carrier is going to be worn by people of different heights or sizes.
- A harness is useful for wriggly babies that may try and climb from the carrier.
- A high back supports your baby; a headrest supports their head.
- An attachable sun or rain shade is useful for protecting your baby from the sun (especially if they don't like wearing a hat) and from the rain.
- Extra storage pockets and pouches are useful for keys, mobile phones, water bottles, nappies.
Readers' comments about backpacks
Good points
- They provide good back support.
- Great for letting baby see the world.
- Great for doing chores that can't be done with a front pack or sling.
- Ideal for tramping and day trips: children prefer being up higher, and a backpack's easier than pushing around a buggy.
But
- Some aren't comfortable for sleeping. Carry a towel or small blanket to cushion a sleeping head.
- The frame can be hard on your back.
- Sometimes doesn't feel secure when baby is moving around.
- Can be difficult to get off by yourself.
- If you're by yourself, it's difficult to check on your baby. Carry a small mirror that you can use for this.
Our advice
When choosing a baby carrier of any type, the key points to consider are safety, comfort, and ease of use.
Safety
We are pleased the Ministry of Consumer Affairs is working with other agencies to develop a standard for baby slings and hammocks. But at present, there are no specific New Zealand safety standards for baby carriers (although there are for strollers). So, what's important?
- Support: The carrier should provide support for the baby's body, head and neck. It should also hold your baby securely - that's crucial for when you want to keep your hands free, or when you need to bend down.
- Straps: With soft packs and slings worn on the front, straps should be designed to cross over at the back so they won't slip off. This also helps distribute your baby's weight evenly. Straps shouldn't be too long - if they are, they trail and get caught. A broad hip or waist strap will take some weight off your shoulders and limit sideways movement. This makes it more stable.
- Leg holes: Check the size of the leg holes. Leg holes that are too big can let babies slip through - this has been the cause of product recalls in the United States.
- Hazards: Also make sure there are no points, sharp edges, choking hazards, small loops, clips, or buckles to trap small fingers and toes.
Comfort and ease of use
Different styles of carrier suit different body shapes and sizes. Try on a few different ones in the shop.
Can you put the carrier on and take it off easily, without assistance? Clear and concise instructions are important, especially if you haven't used one before.
- Ask for a demo: Get the shop assistant to give you a practical demonstration - carriers can take a bit of getting used to.
- Adjustments: Check how easy it is to adjust the carrier. Ideally, you should be able to adjust it to suit your size and shape and also the size of your baby.
- Cleaning: Make sure you can wash the carrier, or that it has detachable parts that are washable.
- Test run: Take the carrier for a trial, with your baby in it. Go for a walk (including up and down stairs). Try bending down. Think about how long you'll be wearing the carrier - it's often for a surprisingly long period of time.
Other tips
- Think ahead: Planning to use the carrier for a few months? Then make sure the carrier will accommodate your baby's growth. Also think about the season you'll be using it in: lightweight carriers with a relatively open design will be more comfortable in the warmer summer months.
- Safety: Hold your baby over something soft, such as a bed, when you put them in the carrier. Check your carrier often for ripped seams, sharp edges, loose or missing buckles, snaps or rings. Check your baby can breathe freely at all times, clear of the material and wearer's body.
- Where to buy: You'll find baby carriers in specialist baby shops, outdoor stores or Farmers. You can also buy second-hand carriers - check out Trade Me or classified ads. These may be good buys if you only need the carrier for a short period of time.