Best Baby Carriers in UK – 2021 Reviews

Types of Baby Carriers in the UK

Classic Baby Carriers:

A Classic Baby Carrier is worn in front of the body with the baby facing you. It is well padded for the comfort of your baby and supports its head, back and bottom all the while keeping his posture straight. The carrier is fastened with multiple plastic buckles and adjustable straps. It keeps the baby close to your heart and secure.

Ring Slings: A ring sling is a long piece of cloth made of some soft non-stretchable material like cotton or linen. The baby sling is attached from one shoulder to the opposite hip with the help of rings. The baby can be carried on the hip or facing towards the front. In a baby sling, it is easy to breastfeed the baby as well. It might be a bit uncomfortable to carry a baby in a ring sling as most of the weight is concentrated on one shoulder for a long stretch of time making the baby uncomfortable too.

Stretchy and Woven Wraps: Baby wraps are long pieces of fabrics of either a stretchy or woven material. Wraps are first wrapped around your own body and then the material is stretched over the baby when he or she is placed in. With wraps, the baby’s weight is distributed evenly across your body thus there is no strain on your back and shoulders making the baby and the parent comfortable.

Soft Structured Baby Carriers:

A Mei Tai or soft structured baby carrier is a large rectangular piece with straps on every corner. The material is folded in such a way, so as to create a pouch for the baby to sit in while the bottom straps are wound around your waist. The baby remains well supported and comfortable in this type of carrier.

Backpack Baby Carriers:

Backpack baby carriers are baby carriers used to carry the baby on the back like a backpack or rucksack. In a backpack carrier, the baby can sit at some distance from your back on the frame seat provided. These baby carriers have additional straps that buckle around your waist and chest to make the baby more secure.

Pouch Baby Carriers:

Pouch baby carriers are made from fabrics of wide length that are sewn together to make a kind of loop to be worn from one shoulder to the opposite hip. The curved seam makes a small pouch for your baby to sit in. In this type of carrier, the baby is best carried on the hip but newborn babies can be carried in the front.  Although being compact, the baby’s weight not being equally distributed makes your back and neck pain.

Uses of Baby Carriers

Staying close to your baby is all that you want. So a baby carrier is the best answer to all your problems. In a baby carrier, the baby must sit in a position that its face is close to your heart and he or she can hear and feel your heartbeat at all times, making her feel loved and secure thereby making your bond with the baby even stronger. Even if you are talking to someone else he or she can hear your voice up close and knows that mom or dad is near it, adding to its security.

Using your baby carrier enables you to keep both your hands-free to do your daily chores. In earlier days you might have had to put your baby down in a cradle to complete your household tasks like cleaning. But now, with the best of designs of baby carriers available in the market the baby is cuddled next to you taking a nap while you can go about your chores outside or inside the house especially a newborn baby who is used to the warmth of the womb.

Strollers can be used when you are going shopping or for a walk but in this case, too baby carriers have an advantage. On walks, a stroller can be difficult to move if the path is uneven or busy. With the baby next to you, in a carrier, can be comfortable and even nap hearing the rhythmic thrum of your heart.

Features of a Baby Carrier

Your baby’s comfort is your topmost priority at all times. In the market, a wide variety of baby carriers is available offering a number of features. But whatever makes your bundle of joy the safest and comfortable is the best baby carriers choice for you. A comfortable carrier that caters to both the parent and your loved one should be the safest option.

Fabric: The baby carrier should be made of a soft comfortable fabric that is durable, easily washable and sturdy. So buying one that is not synthetic but natural like cotton is a good option. Some made of organic fibres are also available in the market. A material that makes your baby breathe easily and is cool and fire resistant should be chosen.

Head Support: A baby sling that offers a head support would be a better choice. Newborn babies cannot hold up their heads as they lack head and neck control. So if your baby still cannot hold up her head, then looking up a carrier with head support is the answer.

Body Support: Along with head support, the baby’s body should also be supported well. Thus a carrier filled with a lot of padding is definitely more comfortable for your baby.

Padded Straps: Along with the baby’s comfort the parent should also be equally comfortable. How can the baby be comfortable if the person carrying it is not? So the best baby carrier is one that comes with padded straps should be chosen and of course the straps should be sturdy too.

Sternum Strap: The shoulder straps are connected by a sternum strap so that they do not slip off your shoulders. This strap is adjustable and helps to reduce the weight on the shoulders making the parent comfortable and thus the baby too.

Waist Belt: Buying a baby wrap with a waist strap that distributes the baby’s weight across your lumbar region i.e. shoulder, back, hips, torso and pelvis are necessary. Interlocking padded waist belt with adjustments are available.

Fasteners: The clasps and buckles of the carrier that you buy should be adjustable so that you can use it for a longer period of time, i.e. even after your baby grows. They should be difficult to undo so that the child cannot open them when she grows older and is playing or fiddling with the clasp.

Attachable Hood: Choosing a carrier with an attachable hood is a better buy. The hood can be kept in a pocket in the carrier when not in use and attached when the child has to be kept out of the sun or is about to sleep.

Vent: Buying a baby carrier with side vents is a good idea. If the baby is carried for a long time then she might become uncomfortable due to the heat. With side vents, the air can circulate making it more agreeable for the baby.

Easy to Clean: It makes work easier if the carrier can be washed in the washing machine. But also if it can only be hand washed it is comparatively better than it being dry-cleaned.

Weight guidelines: Before buying any baby carrier do check out weight guidelines offered by the manufacturer.

Comfort and ease of use: The baby’s comfort is what a parent would want at all times when looking for the best baby carriers. So if the parent is squirming and wincing at all times wearing the carrier, your little one will surely be in a lot of discomforts. Do buy a carrier that is not left unused in a cupboard but one that is suitable to both you and your child.

Buying a baby carrier for your bundle of joy is a matter of utmost importance. Quite a number of different varieties are available in the markets offering different features. First and foremost, you should always do proper research on the characteristics offered and go through the reviews before buying any baby carrier. It is a long-term investment for your baby until it learns to toddle and not just for the first child but the others that follow. So the comfort level should be your supreme priority along with the type of usage. Thinking about your budget is also a must as they come in a wide range of prices. Give the gift of your life a comfortable carrier and witness the innocent smile on its face.