Baby Carriers Reviews: The Best Soft Structured And Baby Backpack Carriers

Welcome to Baby-Carriers-Reviews.com! My name is TaSha, I’m a Stay-At-Home Mom from Montana, and I’m a Babywearing Momma! I put this website together for two reasons. Number one – to help other Moms and Dads find the best baby carrier for their little ones. Number two – to earn an income at home. I am an affiliate to Amazon.com, and most of my products are linked to Amazon when it comes to purchasing. I do this because nine times out of ten, they do offer the best deals. I’ve done a lot of research in this area, and I’ve worked really hard on all of my reviews. I try to offer the most information possible to help you with your decision. So, if you like Baby-Carriers-Reviews.com, please +1 me above and recommend me on Google, or Like me on Facebook.

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ERGO Baby Carrier Original

ERGO Baby Carrier Original

They call it “babywearing”, and it’s the most natural way to care for your baby. It’s not only beneficial to you, allowing you to free up your hands and giving you a sense of freedom, but it’s also beneficial to your baby. Research has shown that babies that are carried cry, on average, 43% less. How many times have you heard, “as soon as I pick him up, he’s okay, but I can’t carry him all day, I have things to do.” Whether it’s the laundry calling your name, or the need for exercise tapping at your door, you can do it all with a proper baby carrier. Think about it, instead of starring up at the ceiling above the crib, or at passing legs through the opening of a stroller, your little one is seeing the world from up high, taking it all in, the mental stimulation alone is healthy for your baby. Research has also shown that newborns that are carried tend to adapt better, and quicker to the world outside the womb. They also become independent quicker. With so many benefits, the only question becomes, which baby carrier is right for me and my baby?

Chicco Smart Support Baby Backpack Carrier

Chicco Smart Support Baby Backpack Carrier

Fortunately you have many options to choose from, however hard the decision might be, keep in mind that if you choose to become a Babywearing Mama, one baby carrier may not suit all your needs. I personally have three, two Soft Structured Baby Carriers, and one Baby Backpack Carrier. I had a Babybjorn Baby Carrier when my daughter was little, than I purchased an ERGObaby Carrier when she was old enough to ride on my back. My third, and most favorite is my Baby Backpack Carrier, the Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier. It gives me the ability to walk both of my dogs while enjoying some quality time with my daughter.  In fact she loves this Baby Backpack Carrier so much, that when she sees it sitting on the floor, she’ll actually climb in all by herself.

Types of Baby Carriers

Boba Baby Carrier 3G - Montenegro

Boba Baby Carrier 3G

Soft Structured Baby Carriers are designed to position your baby vertically in an ergonomically correct sitting position, offering both Mom and Baby a continuous connection. The best baby carrier offers padded shoulder straps for comfort, as well as waist belts and sternum straps for well balanced weight distribution. Lumbar support is also an important factor that depends on strap positioning, as well as weight distribution. The best baby carrier also offers strong, durable fabrics, either cotton or polyester, or in most cases, a mixed blend. Durable buckles are also important. Some even offer safety buckles that prevent accidental opening. The best baby carriers also offers multiple carrying positions. Most offer front carry, hip carry, and back carry positions. Maximum weight capacity is also important, depending on how long you plan to carry your child. First we have the newborn baby carriers, like the Babybjorns, that only carry up to 26 pounds, and then we have the toddler carriers that are capable of carrying children from 15 to 40 or 45 pounds. There are even some baby carriers that double as a newborn carrier and a toddler carrier, with a minimum of 7 or 8 pounds and a maximum of 40 pounds, that equals many years of use. The best baby carriers are designed to carry your little one comfortably, and safely, offering ergonomic sitting positions and proper head support. Read my Baby Carrier Features 101 article for more information on the best features available.

Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier

Deuter Kid Comfort II Child Carrier

Baby Backpack Carriers, aka Child Carriers, are not intended for newborns. Your baby must be able to support his/her own head, and be at least 15 pounds. My daughter was ready to ride at around 6 months. The best baby backpack carriers are designed for longer wear, and provide padded shoulder straps, and waist belts, sternum straps, ventilated back panels, and sophisticated suspension systems. Child carriers with plenty of adjustments are best, especially if there’s more than one person planning on wearing it. Some of the best baby backpack carriers offer torso-adjusters for a more comfortable fit. Look for comfortable cockpit’s, or child seats, as well. Lot’s of padding, removable chin pads, and adjustable harness’s are a must. The best baby backpack carriers offer adjustable seat heights that allow you to change your center of gravity as your child grows. Safety features are a must as well, and ton’s of storage, especially if you’re planning any over-nighters. I could go on and on about all the possible features you could find on a baby backpack carrier, but I wrote a separate article for that. Read the Baby Backpack Carrier Features Buying Guide for more information.

Baby Slings or Wraps drape across the parent’s body, and are usually tied in some way, or fastened with loops. They are designed to position the baby either vertically or horizontally. Most are rated to carry a newborn, and older babies up to 35 pounds. They can be quite comfortable, especially if you find one that distributes the weight properly between your shoulders and your back. They also offer a wide variety of styles, and colors, not to mention a very close connection to your baby. Now, I will admit that I am no expert when it comes to baby slings or wraps, I just never felt comfortable with them. Below I’ve listed two of the most popular baby wraps/slings on the market. If you’d like more information on either, or if you’d just like to see a side by side comparison of the two, check out The Babywearing Blog.

Babywearing Mama Recommended Baby Wraps include:

The Moby Wrap Original

Moby Wrap Original

Moby Wrap Original @ Amazon.com

  • Price: $44.95
  • Positions: Front facing in, front facing out, sideways, or back.
  • Max Weight: 35 pounds
  • Description: The Moby Wrap is a wide piece of fabric that covers both shoulders and wraps tightly around you and your baby. The single stretch cotton and width of the Moby Wrap keeps your baby close and secure. The Moby Wrap is long enough to adapt to your growing baby, measuring 5.5 meters in length. It also comes with an easy to follow instructional guide.
  • Customer Reviews
  • Current Price at Amazon.com $34.95

Original Maya Wrap Sling

Original Maya Wrap

Original Maya Wrap @ Amazon.com

  • Price: $67.46
  • Positions: Front, hip, back, reclining, nursing, and kangaroo carry positions.
  • Max weight: 35 pounds
  • Description: Each edge of the Maya Wrap can be adjusted independently. It also provides a pocket for storage. It’s perfect for the Nursing-Mom providing complete coverage. The fabric and rings have been tested and can withstand in excess of 100 lbs (35 pounds only is recommended). The Maya Wrap website offers instructional video’s on how to use it (I highly recommend watching these video’s before you buy, just so you understand how the wrap works.) www.MayaWrap.com
  • Customer Reviews
  • Current Price at Amazon.com $67.46

 

The Dangers of Babywearing

I’m not a fan of the sling style carriers, but that’s just a matter of opinion. I believe that the Soft Structured Baby Carriers are a SAFER alternative, however, safer is the key word. No matter what you choose for your babywearing pleasure, please, please be aware of the dangers. Here are a few things you can do to keep your baby safe:

1) First of all, do your research, and read the reviews. If you have a baby carrier in mind, make sure it hasn’t been recalled, and see what current owners have to say. Are they satisfied with their purchase? Are there any safety concerns?

2)I DO NOT recommend purchasing used baby carriers, mainly because you don’t know what kind of stress they’ve already been put through. If you do, triple check the quality. In fact, every time you use your baby carrier, used or new, before you put it on, and before you put your baby in it, check for stress points. Make sure that there are not any tears in the material, or thinning. Also check the buckles for strength. If you have any doubt, retire your baby carrier, and get another one.

3)The third major cause of injury while using a  baby carry is improper usage. Read the directions. Most of these baby carriers are somewhat complex, especially if they offer multiple carrying positions. Make sure you know how to use it, and how to adjust it, BEFORE you use it. If you do decide to use a sling style carrier, make sure that your baby has plenty of breathing room. Suffocation is the leading cause of DEATH. Make sure your baby is positioned in such a way that his/her airways stay open.

 

15 comments


  1. I like this weblog very much so much great information.

  2. Helped me a lot, just what I was looking for : D.

  3. Good blog post, continue the good work!

  4. Wonderful blog post, continue the good work!

  5. Very helpful post man, thanks for the info.

  6. I really appreciate articles on your site. You’re doing a fine job! Thanks a lot. :)

  7. Baby carriers are helpful for anybody with a child, whether they’re traveling or going for a stroll around the park. The Best Baby Carriers are designed to make parents more comfortable while carrying their babies. Thank you for sharing this informational post!

  8. Very good post. Cheers. Please keep writing.

  9. Nice one, i bookmarked this page on Digg under “Baby Carrier Reviews: Finding The Best Baby Carrier”. Cheers!

  10. Eva

    Thank you for this website! Very helpful! Just what I need to make decision! :)

  11. T_I

    you don’t really mention the dangers of a “crotch-dangling” baby carrier and how they are not good for supporting a baby’s spine

    • tlee

      Thank you for your comment.
      These Babywearing safety tips were more for general use. I do talk about “crotch-dangling” in a different article, Soft Structured Baby Carrier Features 101. Finding a soft structured baby carrier with an ergonomically correct sitting position is extremely important for little spines that are still developing.

  12. So which would you say is more practical then, the Chicco or the Beco backpack style baby carriers? Its a really difficult decision and most people are telling me to go with the Vaude however its very difficult to find over here therefore i would need to purchase it online.

    • tlee

      It depends entirely on what you plan on doing with it. If you plan on taking your little one on some long hikes, than the Chicco Support Backpack would be the better option. If long hikes are not part of the plan, and you mostly want something that’s easy to where around the house or easy to use while running everyday errands, then I’d stick to a Beco Baby Carrier.The Vaude is a hiking pack child carrier, and it’s also designed for long hikes, so again, it’s all about what you plan on doing with it.

  13. Sam

    great post, thanks. theres great stuff in this blog

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