Бременни майки в чужбина - Тема 43

Baby carrier buying guide
Published: May 2012
Getting started  |  Types  |  Features  |  Shopping tips  |  Using a baby carrier safely
Features

Fabric   |   Fasteners   |   Lumbar support   |   Shoulder straps   |   Side-vent insets   |   Easy access   |   Removable head support for newborns   |   Storage pockets and covers   | 

Comfort should be your top priority, but you can also look for snazzy fabrics as well as features that add convenience. Here are some to consider.
Fabric


Strap-on carriers and hip carriers are typically made of 100-percent cotton, a cotton/spandex blend, nylon, or moisture-resistant polyester microfiber. Some come in fashionable colors and patterns. With slings and strap-ons, it's nice to be able to throw the whole thing in a washing machine. Some slings are available in a range of fabrics and patterns, including silks. BabyBjörn makes its original carrier (pictured) available in bold retro colors, as well as their Original Baby Spirit style, available in six colors, including "Pink Passion" and "Green Energy." The Ergo carrier is available in fashionable styles done by the brand Petunia Pickle Bottom (about $160). Some carriers, such as the Ergo brand, are also available in organic cotton.
Fasteners
Carriers have a variety of buckles and fasteners for shoulder and waist straps and the seats. Whatever type of fastener your carrier has, it should be sturdy and require a lot of force to undo. Buckles that hold shoulder and waist straps should be easy to adjust and keep straps firmly fastened when the carrier is in use. Buckles and fasteners should be easy for an adult to use, but not so easy that a baby could undo them, and they should fasten tightly, but not in a way that could pinch your fingers.
Lumbar support


Well-made carriers may have a padded waist strap that helps to distribute your baby's weight from your shoulders to your hips and pelvic area. This is a definite comfort advantage. When you're shopping, try on a floor model and fasten the belt/waist strap to see if it's long enough and neither too high nor too low. Padding should be firm, not mushy. The Infantino Balance Ergonomic Carrier (shown, about $45) has adjustable lumbar support as well as an adjustable chest/back strap.
Shoulder straps


Shoulder-strap padding should be firm and wide so the straps won't dig in. Straps should be positioned so they won't slip off your shoulders or chafe your neck, and they should be adjustable while you're carrying your baby. The Maclaren Techno Baby Carrier has a centered shoulder and back harness. It can be used with a baby 8 to 25 pounds. (It also comes with a removable bottle holder, a shade blanket, and a bib for teething babies.) The manufacturer of the Jeep 2 in 1 Sport Baby Carrier (shown, about $28) says it has extra-wide padded shoulder straps that you can adjust while you've got it on.
Side-vent insets


Babies can sweat in a carrier. To help keep them cool, some carriers have a panel of mesh-like material to promote airflow, or side insets that can be unzipped or unbuttoned to serve the same purpose. The BabyBjorn Air (pictured, about $100) for example, is made with breathable mesh. The Evenflo Snugli Comfort Vent Carrier has side-entry buckles that can be opened with one hand and "comfort vents" (about $50).
Easy access


As we mentioned, many front strap-on models have buckles on each side that release a front flap. This makes it easier to get your baby in and out. With the Okkatots Baby Carrier System (pictured), you put your baby in a pouch and then attach the pouch to the carrier. This is handy not only for putting down a sleeping baby but when using a shopping cart once your baby can sit up by herself.
Removable head support for newborns


The líllébaby EveryWear Sport carrier comes with a removable neck support for newborns and younger babies, as well as a removable hood to block sun or wind. In many models, such as with the BabyBjorn and Infantino carriers, you wear your infant facing you, and when the child is older the part of the carrier that supports the head is flipped down and then the baby can face out. The Chicco You & Me Delux Infant Carrier (pictured, about $50) works like that. It also features ventilated lumbar support for parents and padded shoulder straps.
Storage pockets and covers


Some carriers come with a pocket for holding keys or cell phone, or maybe even a spare diaper. You can also get a variety of covers to keep out the sun, and you can get blanket covers, like miniature sleeping bags, that fit over the front of the carrier for wintertime wearing. The Jolly Jumper Snuggle Cover for Soft Baby Carriers (pictured, $33), for example, fits over the outside of a carrier.