Mass-produced Carriers
Many branded baby carriers are available on the high street, some quite cheaply, and a lot of babywearers start off using them. The one in this picture is a BabyBjorn.
However, mass-produced baby carriers are generally not as comfortable for the wearer as other slings, especially as a baby gets heavier, because they do not spread the weight over the user's back. In addition, as can be seen in the photo, these baby carriers do not support a baby's hips and thighs (see our page on positioning in a baby sling), which we believe makes them less comfortable for the baby than a carrier that provides better support.
It is also not recommended to carry a baby facing forwards, as in this picture (why?).
However, mass-produced baby carriers are generally not as comfortable for the wearer as other slings, especially as a baby gets heavier, because they do not spread the weight over the user's back. In addition, as can be seen in the photo, these baby carriers do not support a baby's hips and thighs (see our page on positioning in a baby sling), which we believe makes them less comfortable for the baby than a carrier that provides better support.
It is also not recommended to carry a baby facing forwards, as in this picture (why?).
We believe that all babywearing is beneficial, and so if you already have a mass-produced carrier, we are absolutely not saying that you should stop using it. But if you haven't got a sling yet, or are finding your high street carrier uncomfortable (which is common by 3-4 months), a different type of baby sling will probably be more comfortable for you and better for your baby, and could be obtained for the same price or a lot less. Pop along to one of our Sheffield sling meets to try some out, or check out Sheffield Sling Library.
We are pleased to note that some of the more recent types of mass-produced baby carrier seem to support the baby's legs better and are designed to be more comfortable for the wearer. However, these baby carriers are surprisingly expensive, and for the same money you can get more comfortable, longer lasting slings.
We are pleased to note that some of the more recent types of mass-produced baby carrier seem to support the baby's legs better and are designed to be more comfortable for the wearer. However, these baby carriers are surprisingly expensive, and for the same money you can get more comfortable, longer lasting slings.
You can also buy "frame carriers" or "baby backpacks", such as those by Karrimor or LittleLife, which fit like a large rucksack and provide a seat for a child. These have their uses, and indeed the integral pockets that reduce the need to carry a separate bag can be very handy when hiking on your own, but they have some drawbacks. They are heavy, they do not usually provide a good, comfortable seat for the child, they often provide little head support, and the child is held away from the wearer. This means the baby loses the benefits of heat-sharing and the wearer can't tell when the child is getting too cold; in addition it can upset the user's centre of gravity. Again, before buying a baby backpack we recommend that you have a look at what other types of sling are available, and come to a sling meet to try some out.
