Baby Carriers and Slings

All parents know that all baby carriers are not the same. We all have different needs as do our little ones. One that is perfect for one parent will not work for another. So, it's important to get a good idea of the different kinds of baby carriers first and iron out your 'must-haves' for your next infant carrier. Lets get started.

There are several different types or styles of carriers each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Lets go through these one by one:

1) Pouches

These carriers are simple and straightforward to use. They are available in adjustable and fitted versions. The advantages of this type of carrier are:

* Availability in a variety of patterns and colors

* Very easy to learn to use

* Relatively cheap/inexpensive

* They are perfect to put one when you are in a hurry whether you are heading out for errands or for a short trip

* Ideal for nursing the baby

* These are small in size so most diaper bags can easily fit these.

Some of the disadvantages that you should bear in mind regarding these:

* The weight of the baby is going to fall on one shoulder. For long periods this can be strenuous.

* These carriers that are of the fitted style cannot be shared between users of different sizes

2) Mei Tais

These carriers are based on the traditional Asian ones. This infant carrier can be worn on the back or front. Hip carries are also a possibility. These carriers are simple in design - a small panel of cloth or fabric with the straps go over the shoulders and then around the waist. These carriers are easy to use and comfortable because the weight is distributed on both your shoulders.

Some of the advantages that this carrier has are:

* Different variety of fabrics. You can go from trendy to fun to way out there

* The weight distribution over two shoulders helps with the carrying the heavier babies too

* The versatility provided through front use or as a backpack gives you many options.

There are a few disadvantages of these carriers:

* They aren't as compact as pouches certain slings. So they might not fit into all diaper bags

* These carriers can only be used for the upright and not the cradle position for newborns

* While tying the straps into place, they may drag on the ground. So, if you are doing this in a wet area it'll get dirty.