Comparison baby carriers

— Kangaroo carrier. Kangaroo carriers are backpacks designed to carry children, allowing them to sit upright with their legs dangling out and arms moving freely. Unlike conventional backpacks, kangaroo carriers can be worn on the front, typically for older children with strong spines, although not recommended for long-term wear due to potential strain on the child's spine and legs, especially when facing away from the parent.

— Ergo carrier. Carrier for babies and toddlers. The device combines the advantages of slings and kangaroo carriers. Ergo carrier provides the baby with an anatomically correct position — the baby is on the mother's chest, and facing her. Like a kangaroo carrier, ergo carrier has in its design all types of straps, bridges and locks, which increases the safety of carrying the child, and also provides lumbar support, which provides comfort to the parent.

— Scarf. The classic sling is a long, durable piece of fabric that can be used in various ways such as a carrycot on the chest, a backpack, or a bag. It's suitable for newborns and older children, allowing for horizontal and vertical carrying with multiple attachment options. While simple and inexpensive, it requires manual tying, which may take some practice to master and can be inconvenient if adjustments are needed during carrying.

— Ring sling. A type of sling (see abo...ve), equipped with a fastening in the form of a pair of rings, between which one of the ends of the sling is clamped. The main advantage of this design is the ease of adjustment: you do not have to tie the sling manually and bandage it to change the position of the child or tighten/loosen the sling itself; all adjustments are made within a few seconds. On the other hand, models with rings are not as versatile as scarf slings. In addition, they are designed to be worn on one shoulder and the load on the parent’s spine is distributed unevenly; when the child grows up, this can create very significant inconveniences.

— Mei tai. The Mei tai sling is a cross between a kangaroo carrier and a scarf sling (see above). It has backpack-like straps, which makes it easy to adjust and eliminates the need to constantly re-tie the sling; Moreover, many models provide for carrying in both vertical and horizontal positions, and the design itself is much simpler and lighter than a backpack. In warm weather, a child in such a sling will not be as hot as in a scarf sling. At the same time, such slings are much less versatile in adjustment than scarves.

— Hiking. These devices are essentially hiking backpacks adapted for carrying children, worn exclusively on the back for optimal weight distribution during long-term carrying, ideal for activities like hiking. They often feature a rigid folding frame, typically made of aluminum, which can transform the backpack into a high chair. Unlike other types, hiking models have a wider age range, accommodating children under 5 years old.

— Sling pocket. A sling pocket is a modernized version of the traditional sling, designed for carrying the baby in front of the parent. It functions as a specialized backpack, worn over one shoulder or on the chest, providing maximum comfort for the baby with its shaped inner surface. Most designs allow for easy wrapping of the baby, making them convenient for both children and parents. However, they tend to be more expensive and less versatile compared to classic slings.

— Hip seat. A hip seat is a device designed for carrying a baby on your hip, providing support and comfort. It's suitable for older children who can sit upright, typically used from the age when the baby can sit independently. The hip seat resembles a wide belt with a shelf-like protrusion for the child to sit on, aiming to distribute the load on the parent's spine, reducing fatigue and preventing back pain. While it doesn't have straps, offering constant close contact between parent and child, some models include straps for added security.

— Chest harnesses. The harnesses are fixed with a chest band or strap. In this case, the harness will not press on the child's crotch, which increases the comfort of using the supportive harness.

— Crotch harnesses. In this case, the child is supported at the lowest point. The main advantage of this type of harness is the anatomically correct support of the internal organs. The disadvantage is the creation of pressure in the crotch area. Because of this, crotch harnesses are not recommended to be used for long periods of time.

— Strap harnesses. They feature adjustable height and width for the seating area, making them universal and customizable for each child. Equipped with clasped straps, their length can be easily adjusted to accommodate different body types. They come in designs with either chest or crotch harness configurations.

The weight group determines the maximum weight of a baby that can be carried in a kangaroo/sling. This weight should not be exceeded: although backpacks and slings are usually made with a margin of safety, but the service life when exceeding the weight is significantly reduced, simply put — the carrier can fail at any time. In addition, the maximum design weight is not only related to durability, but also to the design of the backpack/sling, and if it is exceeded, both the mother and heavy baby may be uncomfortable.

The recommended age range for kangaroos/slings is somewhat arbitrary, as children of the same age can vary in weight, height, and development. However, it provides a rough estimate of how suitable a particular model may be for your baby at different stages. The lower age limit, though, is more strict; for instance, if a backpack is labeled "3-12 months," it shouldn't be used for newborns as it's not designed for their needs and could potentially harm their bodies.

Now on the market are carriers designed for this age: from birth, from 3 months, from 6 months.

The position of the child relative to the mother in the standard use for this model of carrier.

— Back. Positioning the baby in a kangaroo/sling behind the mother's back is similar to carrying a normal backpack. This position is considered optimal for the carrier from the point of view of ergonomics — in particular, the distribution of the load on the spine and the whole body. At the same time, the parent cannot see the child from behind, and the child can at best see the back and back of the parent's head. This significantly impairs the mutual contact that is so important for children. This is why the back positioning itself is quite rare.

— Front. While the front carrying position may be less comfortable for the parent compared to the back position, it offers a crucial advantage: both parent and baby can see and touch each other, fostering a strong sense of closeness and reassurance. This allows the parent to monitor the baby's well-being constantly. Additionally, the front position enables easy sitting without removing the kangaroo/sling, making it a common feature in modern designs.

— Front and back. Models with this feature provide the option to position the baby either on the front or on the back, as the parent wishes. For example, when the parents are walking or traveling together, the mother can place the baby on her back, reducing the...load, and the father will watch the baby and entertain him; and if there is only one parent with the baby, the kangaroo/sling is carried on the front (see the corresponding points above for more details).

This setting determines where the baby's face will be directed in a standard kangaroo/sling placement.

— Face to mother. The position facing the mother is considered optimal in terms of the load on the child's spine; in addition, it ensures the maximum degree of contact between the child and the parent. On the other hand, with this placement, the baby will mainly see the chest or back of the parent (see "Baby Position") — in order to see at least a little of the world around him, he will have to turn his head a lot.

— Face from mom. The position facing away from the mother is considered less ergonomic, because. it creates an additional load on the baby's spine. At the same time, with a short stay of a child in a "kangaroo" / sling, this does not give any significant consequences, and a curious baby can easily survey the world around.

— Bidirectional. The most versatile option is "kangaroos" and slings, which allow you to place the child both facing the mother, and vice versa, if desired.

Lumbar support is primarily designed to provide comfort to the mother while carrying the child. Thanks to this belt, which tightens at the waist, carrying the child for a longer time will not bother. And all thanks to the best distribution of the load on the back.

Ability to adjust the height of the baby in the sling/kangaroo. This feature provides the ability to adjust the device for maximum comfort for both the baby and the mother. And in some models due to the adjustment can also change the internal volume, which can be useful as the baby grows.

Breastfeeding design. In this type of feeding, the baby is positioned in a reclined position, resting on the mother's thigh so that the baby's head is at breast level. Feeding a baby in a kangaroo/sling is easier due to the more comfortable weight distribution, and the device also hides the mother's breasts from the views of others.

The presence in the design of the kangaroo/sling of a special headrest. This headrest ensures the optimal position of the baby's head and protects it from strong displacements that could damage the spine. And some options cover the head not only from the back, but also from the sides, providing additional protection from both accidental contact with surrounding objects and bad weather.