Baby Carrier: Research your needs

In order to end up with the baby carrier best suited to your needs, you have to clearly understand what you are looking for and what options are available to you. This is done by researching in two areas.

Firstly, you research the market to find out what kinds of baby carriers are available, familiarizing yourself with the different features, styles and price ranges etc. Secondly, you examine your own unique requirements in a baby carrier.

Research the market: Baby Carrier essentials

Buying the right carrier doesn't have to be difficult, so long as you don't head right to the store and pick the first one that catches your fancy. Different families need different types of carriers.

The first part of the research step is to investigate just what's available in the baby carrier market. The range of options can seem daunting, but you can make a good start by understanding the following major features:

Style: There are four basic ways to carry your child. The first way is a front carrier. There are also backpacks, slings, and hip carriers. Each style offers a different style of comfort for a number of activities. Each one also has a different weight limit, because of the way the child is carried. Some are only suitable for a specific age range.

Adjustability: Your baby carrier will need to adjust to the person carrying the child as well as the child as it grows. A good baby carrier will allow for height and size when adjusting the straps. Slings usually have adjustable rings, but are also known for taking a little more practice.

Comfort: Comfort is important while toting your child around for the day. Ideally, your carrier will provide some padding for comfort without adding too much bulk, which will allow it to be easily transported. The level of comfort is important not just for your child, but also for you. You will be wearing it, so it should provide some sort of shoulder padding to keep the straps from digging into your shoulder(s). It should also provide padding for the child's seat area, keeping them comfortable for the longest amount of time possible.

Research your needs: Questions to ask yourself

Now it's time to determine what your requirements are in a baby carrier. For example, will you use the baby carrier only for when you go shopping or will you need to take your baby on long hikes as well?

You can start this process by considering the following questions - as well as any others you think of yourself - and recording your answers.

Have I used a baby carrier before?
	If you have used a baby carrier, work out what you did or didn't like about the baby carrier. You may be looking for one exactly like it, hoping to upgrade, or even trying to avoid any particular features that you found inconvenient.

What position is most comfortable for me and my child?
	You might like to hold your child on your hip, front, or back.

Where will I use the baby carrier?
	You may use the carrier when you are at home doing the vacuuming or perhaps when you are out and about shopping and visiting friends.

How old is my child?
	The type of baby carrier you buy could depend on the age of your baby. Once your baby gets to a certain weight you may find it easier to carry them on your back rather than front.

Who will wear the carrier the most?
	Most carriers are adjustable but as we all are different shapes and sizes you will need to find one that best fits the person who uses it the most.

Do the people who need to use the carrier have any ailments they needs to consider?
	Do they have back problems? Wearing a back pack for prolonged periods could be uncomfortable. Do they have shoulder problems? A sling with the weight on the shoulders could be painful. Ensure the carrier has adequate padding where it rests on your body.

How much would you like to spend?
	Baby carriers range in price from reasonably low-cost to expensive. The more features it offers the more it will cost.

Understanding your needs is the key to a successful purchase and you can revisit your list of needs at any time during the buying process.

Once you complete this Research step, having informed yourself about the essentials of baby carriers and identified your needs, you are ready to move on to the next step: Evaluation.

Video Links

Go Baby Travel Set - User review
GoGo Rider Infant Carrier, Total Body Support for Infant Seat, and Strap and Buckle. (2m 02s)