A brief introduction to the different types of carriers.
There are a number of different types of baby carrier or sling. What is best for you often can depend on a number of factors – age and size of your baby, how often you wear, and your personal preference. It can get a bit confusing so here is our short version of the main different types of carriers. Wraps – Wraps are a length of fabric that can be tied around baby and wearer in a variety of ways. They are made from many different fabrics and can be used for carrying on the front, back (with a woven fabric) and hip. They are fully adjustable and very versatile with different lengths available. There are many different ways to tie a wrap and some can take some practice. Stretchy wraps are particularly popular for carrying newborn and small babies, but woven wraps can continue to be used for toddlers and beyond.
Ring Slings – Ring Slings are lengths of fabric which are securely fastened by two rings. They are worn over one shoulder with the fabric threaded through the rings to create a seat for baby. They can be used for front, hip and sometimes back carries (by experienced wearers). Ring Slings can be used from newborn until any age and are popular for newborns, breastfeeding and quick carries.
Pouches – Similar to a ring sling, pouches are a tube of fabric worn over one shoulder where the baby sits in a pouch created by the fabric. They are sized to the wearer and therefore not adjustable so cannot easily be shared between different wearers. They can be used for front and hip carries and are often used for quick carries or for toddlers who like to go up and down frequently.
Mei Tai/Meh Dai – Mei Tai’s (pronounced May-Tie) are Asian style carriers which have a rectangular body and straps which tie around the waist and over the shoulders. They are easy to learn how to use, fully adjustable and are able to be easily shared between different wearers. They can be used for front, hip and back carries and from newborn to any age. Mei Tai’s can come with fabric straps, padded straps or wide straps for additional comfort.
Onbohimo’s/Onbo’s – Originating from Japan an Onbo is a carrier which doesn’t have a waist band and the baby is held to the wearer by straps which go over the shoulders. Onbo’s can be used for front or back carries. They are popular for carrying toddlers and are good for people who do not want or like pressure on their stomach and also in hot climates because of the lack of material in contact with the skin. They are generally not suitable for newborns or very small babies. The shoulder straps in an Onbo can be fastened by buckles, fabric loops or rings.
Soft Structured Carriers/Buckle Carriers – Similar to a Mei Tai an SSC is a popular carrier which has a rectangular body with straps around the waist and shoulders which are secured by buckles. They can vary from unstructured – where the waistband and shoulder straps may not have any padding, to very structured with firm waistbands and thick padding. There are a large number of SSC’s and many often have hoods, pockets or adjustable seats. Some SSC’s can be used from birth but many require newborn inserts. SSC’s can generally be used for front, back and hip carries whilst some carriers can also be used for forward facing carries in an ergonomic position.