Baby carriers: three of the best including the ERGObaby carrier

by My Kent Family reporter

ERGObaby carriers are designed to support the baby in the most natural ergonomic position - with baby's legs in a flex position and the spine convex in shape.

ERGObaby soft-structured carriers can be worn in the front, back or hip position, and support babies up to 45lbs (20kg), and infants from 7lbs (3.2kg) with the use of the Infant Insert Heart2Heart.

Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier has a supportive wide waistband and padded shoulder straps which evenly distribute baby's weight.
Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier has a supportive wide waistband and padded shoulder straps which evenly distribute baby's weight.

What's it like?

There's something about the standard design of many baby carriers that doesn't work so well for newborns. Many mums prefer to opt for a sling or papoose-style carrier for holding such a tiny person.

But often it can be a bit of a headache to work out how you put them on, with their mass of straps and knots or clips, especially when you're sleep deprived!

I'd pretty well decided not to bother with carriers or slings at all but when my daughter she was only a teeny 6lb 2oz, and although she's now five weeks old, she's still just the size of many newborns.

Also, perhaps because of that, and after being carried and cuddled inside me for 40 weeks, being out in the big wide world doesn't always go down so well.

So during one of her many screaming fits and desperate to get on with some chores and to sort out my toddler, I reached for the ERGObaby carrier.

Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier
Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier

First big plus point, it's easy to put on, with a simple click-in strap around the waist. I then placed her inside the Infant Insert (which has a cushion at the bottom to sit on, ensuring her posture is correct) and held her against me while I pulled up the straps, and fastened it at the back.

It took about around a minute for her to stop crying and she drifted off to sleep on my chest while I was then hands free and able to get on with some jobs.

'The carrier distributes your baby's weight evenly across the hips and shoulders, so it's comfy for me, baby, and looks pretty lovely as well'

The carrier distributes your baby's weight evenly across the hips and shoulders, so it's comfy for me, baby, and looks pretty lovely as well.

It's also designed to support your baby in the most natural ergonomic position (with baby's legs in a flex position and the spine convex in shape), which promotes optimum joint development and close body contact between mum (or dad) and baby.

It's great that it can be worn in the front, back or hip position, that way you can avoid strain and aches and pains.

There are lots of designs to choose from, and with lots of celebrity fans, it definitely gets the thumbs up for mummy-street-cred.

Verdict: The ERGObaby carrier is the ultimate baby carrier - comfy, cosy, stylish, and a pleasure to wear.

Information: The Ergobaby Four Position 360 Carrier features an ergonomic forward-facing carry position, with a supportive wide waistband and padded shoulder straps which evenly distribute baby's weight. Suitable from 7-33lbs. £129.90, www.naturalbabyshower.co.uk. Visit the ERGObaby UK Facebook page to find a list of regional stockists.

Other carriers to consider

Sleepy Nico Baby Carrier: These soft-structured pure cotton carriers, available in a variety of fabrics, allow you to carry baby on your front or back. They have a padded waistband and straps made in comfy corduroy, with simple buckles. Suitable for babies with good head control weighing from 3.5-15kg. £79, www.sleepynico.com

Sleepy Nico Baby Carrier
Sleepy Nico Baby Carrier

Mothercare Three Position Baby Carrier: Designed to carry baby front facing in from birth, facing out from three months, and on the back from six months. With wide padded shoulder straps and a removable cushioned insert to provide added support and comfort for newborns. Suitable from birth to 12kg. £28, Mothercare

Mothercare Three Position Baby Carrier
Mothercare Three Position Baby Carrier

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