• Why use one?
• What to look for?
  
• Our consumer Editor says
• Thanks to our testers
• Brief test results
• Full test results
• Check babyworld's expert advice on your baby
• Talk to other parents-to-be about your favourite (and not so favourite!) products on our discussion boards

Why use one

Most can be used from when your baby is newborn and for many mums this is when they are most useful - especially if you have a very clingy baby who just wants to be near you all the time and will not settle easily when laid down to sleep. For mums with baby's like this a carrier becomes essential for sanity's sake and to make it possible to do things hands free while still giving the baby the closeness it needs.

Carriers are also useful if your lifestyle means you like to get out and about without the bother or a pram or pushchair. They make going for walks over rough terrain or even around the shops a lot simpler but do, of course require you to carry you baby at all times which can be a problem as their weight increases.

What to look for

Style
There are many styles of carrier and your choice will largely be a matter of personal preference. Some allow a variety of positions on your body and a variety of outlooks for the baby but the most important thing to look for is comfort - for you and for the baby. The way the weight is spread across your back and/or the amount of padding on the weight bearing straps can make a significant difference. Most carriers are adjustable - some more than others - to help you ensure a good fit and the most comfortable tend to be those which hold your baby right onto your body so it feels like an extension of your body - rather than a weight hanging off you!

Type
A very heavy baby will put a strain on your back if you wear a carrier a lot and once this starts to be a problem it is best to carry the baby on your back. Some front carriers have multi-positions and will let you carry the baby on your hip or back - which will extend its useful life and add value.

If you are breastfeeding
If you are breast feeding it is worth considering how you can feed with the carrier on - some offer very discreet easy feeding, others do not cater for feeding at all - you take the carrier completely off before feeding which can be a disadvantage in some circumstances.

Our consumer Editor says

Remember dads when looking for a baby carrier or sling. It's a great way for Dad to feel close to his baby so make sure that it suits you both in terms of comfort and in look - men can be surprisingly fussy about the styles they will wear! Also remember that a man's torso is differently shaped than a woman's so it may be that the same carrier does not best suit you both. Broader shoulders can cope with weight bearing straps where smaller frames often suit a more strapped on style.

Thanks to our testers

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