| Having lost its hippy image years ago, no modern | | | | cushion and padding to the harness, as well as a |
| parent is without a baby carrier these days. No | | | | padded hip belt and good shoulder straps that |
| more pushing the pram through the urban jungle, | | | | offer robust load bearing support. If your little one |
| fiddling with straps, buckles or having your child on | | | | is up to it, try a few before you buy. |
| a lead, baby carriers leave you with your hands | | | | You could go for a sling - these remain popular, |
| free to get on with a few jobs whilst baby is | | | | having proved their usefulness for many centuries. |
| asleep. We have three children and I reckon they | | | | The sling is a traditional-style carrier with the baby |
| are indispensable. | | | | snug up against your front/chest. With a sling, you |
| A good baby carrier will reduce back-strain and | | | | usually get two fabric loops to slip over your |
| should allow for several different carrying | | | | shoulders, they are then adjusted to fit and then |
| positions. It should be fully adjustable to fit both | | | | simply click into place. When not being used, slings |
| Mum and Dad every time, and should also be | | | | can be folded to take up very little space in a |
| designed to have a long lifespan so it grows as | | | | bag, whilst some even turn into handy shopping |
| your baby grows. Check the maximum weight it | | | | bags! Slings are simple and often cheaper than the |
| will carry and also if mum is looking to discreetly | | | | back carriers, but they tend to be really only |
| breast-feed, as this will influence the type you | | | | practical for children aged 0 to 24 months - after |
| buy. | | | | that, the strain is better taken on the back. |
| Baby carriers come in a variety of beautiful | | | | In recent years, front-carrying baby pouches with |
| designs, from 100% soft cotton fabrics to more | | | | a parent harness that separates have appeared. |
| chunky, nylon ones for those who refuse to let | | | | These are really useful as you can lay children |
| their spirit of adventure die. The range of baby | | | | down to sleep without having to take the whole |
| carriers on the market is vast, so decide in | | | | thing off. With some, you can put the baby |
| advance where you will be using the carrier most | | | | straight into their car seat too as these carriers |
| and for how long each day. | | | | have slots in the back of the pouch to fit the |
| You should look for an adjustable harness so you | | | | seat straps for safe, secure driving. When you |
| can fasten your child in safely and quickly. | | | | arrive at the other end, the whole thing, baby and |
| Because you and your child's comfort is so | | | | all, can be clipped straight back onto mum or dad |
| important, you should also be looking for a sleep | | | | and you are ready to go again. |