Baby Sling Parents – Definitive Guide To Baby Carriers

Playtex Hip Hammock Standard Black Black

Preferable to a stroller in crowded public areas, this child carrier holds baby right next to a parent at a comfortable level for viewing her surroundings. Unlike many other carriers, this one balances baby on one hip instead of directly in front of the body. The benefits are that it is easier to walk or do household tasks without baby’s legs limiting Mom’s motion or her body blocking Mom’s reach. In addition, the side-carrying design is much easier on the back. The Hip Hammock can be converted to rest on either hip—and rotating sides is recommended to avoid placing too much stress on one side. The carrier adjusts to fit Mom or Dad by cinching the waist strap and padded shoulder strap, which can easily be done with one hand, and closing the sturdy buckles. Baby faces inward and rests comfortably against the soft Microfleece lining. A wide leg area gives baby’s legs decent freedom of movement and a back rest provides additional upper body support for baby or folds down and out of the way. The Hip Hammock features a toy hook on the shoulder strap that holds a pacifier or teething toy and a key chain that dangles from the waist strap to conveniently keep track of keys. This carrier has a durable quilted exterior fabric that holds up through several children and rolls up compactly for travel. The Hip Hammock is designed for older babies that weigh between 15 and 35 pounds. –Cristina Vaamonde

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars Hip Hammock (older version)
I have been trying to purchase the newer model of this hip hammock but it is proving very difficult to locate. The seller was very prompt in shipping, what I would soon discover was the older version, and very understanding about my wanting to return it. They even went out of their way to try and locate the version I wanted. All transactions with the seller were prompt, attentive and courteous.

4 Stars Great…until i found it was recalled
I found this to be easy to use and comfortable, sure if your going to have it on for a long time its going to get uncomfortable just as any carrier would. i loved having my son on my hip, it made it much easier when i was shopping. I was saddened to see that it was recalled because of safety issues though so i won’t be buying another for my second son

3 Stars o.k.
We have tried slings, strollers, backpacks, frontpacks and this hip hammock. Both of my boys had different preferences.

Pros

- more packable than stroller, backpack and frontpack.

- Easier on back than front pack

- adjustable

Cons

-not easy to keep on shoulder

- neither of my boys every could get comfortable in it

-didn’t let me be hands free like front or backpack. I still felt need to keep one arm around them with the hip hammock.

Seems like a great idea that just didn’t work out for my family.

4 Stars Very convenient sling
I give this product a top score for ease of use. As a single mom, I can’t just hand my baby to someone else while I tangle myself up in a complicated wrap or adjustable carrier. Sometimes my daughter will be very fussy when I put her down, so I love that I can attach this to my body while holding her, and tighten it with the pull of one strap. It is super easy to put on- you just clip the belt around your waist, place your baby on your hip, slip the strap over your head and pull to tighten.

I also like that baby’s legs are free when using this product. Most side-slings either tuck baby’s legs up inside, or dig in uncomfortably on those chubby thighs. My daughter is really big for her age, so I love that she can be comfortable and move freely while being carried.

It isn’t the most comfortable thing for mom, but short of the top-of-the-line hiking backpacks, this creates far less pressure points than any carrier I have used. Ultimately having 20+ lbs strapped to your body, whether it be to your back, front or side, is not going to feel amazing.

I do wish there was a way to tighten it more. I’m a petite woman with very narrow shoulders (I can actually wear children’s Tshirts) and even fully tightened, the little toy strap that is right up on mom’s chest in the photo sits about the base of my rib cage. It all evens out though as my daughter is a hefty 20.5 lbs and 30 inches at only 8 months old, so she fills in the gap with NO problem.

This carrier is extremely portable. It rolls up really small, which is perfect for travelling. Throw this in the diaper bag and there is no need to take the stroller out with you.

5 Stars Great for on the go, running errands, and folds down small for easy storage in your diaper bag!
I LOVE baby carriers… I have the Baby Bjorn Active, the Ergo Baby, and a Moby Wrap. My biggest complaint about all 3 of those has been they are huge when it’s off your body and your baby is not in it. I found if I was going somewhere with my baby in a carrier, once I got to my destination, I now had this bulky lump of fabric, straps, and buckles to carry around. They are too big to fit in my diaper bag. I was looking for something simple and folds down small so I could not only put it in my diaper bag when I get somewhere… I can actually store it in my diaper bag so I have a carrier where ever I go! It never fails you decide to run into the store holding your baby, but you end up doing more shopping than you expect, and now you have a dead arm carrying your tot around. This hip carrier rolls up into itself, it fits in your bag so you always have a carrier with you for those unexpected situations! I do have to say, this hip carrier is not as comfortable as the Ergo. I couldn’t imagine carrying her in this for more than an hour – My baby is 20 lbs and I can carry her in the Ergo for up to 4 hours! I highly recommend this carrier as a back-up carrier for busy on the go moms!

Buy/More Info

BABYBJ RN Baby Carrier Original City Black

The classic original from Baby Bjorn. In our famous Baby Bjorn Original Baby Carrier your child is safe and close to you, while your hands are free. The Baby Bjorn Original Baby Carrier is a comfortable and easy-to-use baby carrier ideally designed for use during everyday activities, both indoors and out.

Baby Bjorn Original Baby Carrier provides excellent support for your baby?s back and head and guarantees that his/her legs and arms are in a physiologically correct position. When your baby is a little older and has a stronger neck, the neck-rest can be folded down so that the child can face forwards and look around.

Features:

• Seat is adjustable for comfort
• Holds baby close while providing comfort
• Undo lower portion to remove baby easily
• Babies can either face in or out
• Contoured padded straps for comfort
• Made of 100% cotton
• Machine wash separately (40-C) with gentle, bleach-free detergent
• From newborn (at least 8 lbs. and 21″) up to 22 lbs.

User Ratings and Reviews

1 Star it’s not a NEW one!
I bought a baby bjorn from this seller. It says “NEW” , however, when I got it, it said “used only once” and had no package.

Who does know it’s really used only once…

If I had known that it’s a used one, I might not have bought it.

I feel so awful.

2 Stars Inconvenient to use
I guess I can understand why some people like this carrier. Once you have the baby in it, it is comfortable to wear. However, if you are taking the baby out and putting him back in repeatedly (say, for example, while running errands) for short periods of time, you will get sick of it quickly. It is not easy to balance a baby, especially a larger baby, while attaching the sliders and buttons. I also got uncomfortably hot wearing this carrier, which is padded and almost feels insulated, holding the baby’s body heat against me. Furthermore, my baby was unhappy in it, but that is primarily because he never liked being confined in any way.

To sum up:

This is a good carrier to wear with a small baby, for extended periods of wear, in cool weather.

This is not a good carrier to wear running errands or for short periods of time, for a larger baby, or in warm climates.

If your baby hates confinement like my son did, you probably won’t find any baby carrier satisfactory.

3 Stars Good for the first few months, but quickly grew out of it
I registered for a Baby Bjorn (the classic version) like many other parents out there, as it seemed to be the top choice. This carrier worked out for about 3 months at most — My daughter is 4 1/2 months old now, we didn’t use it the first month (as she needed to be 8 lbs) and now at 13 1/2 lbs and 25″ long, it seems she is growing out of it (granted, she is perhaps a bit longer than other babies her age, but still). Her head comes WAY above the supporting piece, especially if she has cloth diapers on, but even with disposables the carrier seems to be too small.

Additionally, I’ve started to get serious shoulder pain that lasts well after I’ve worn the carrier — I’m 5’4″, in pretty good shape considering I just had a baby, and several of my new mom friends have had the same experience.

Pros:

-Feels very secure to have baby inside

-Relatively easy (I think, anyway) to get baby strapped in

-At the current list price on Amazon, much cheaper than other carriers

Cons:

-Doesn’t seem to last very long as baby has grown out of it quickly

-Shoulder/back pain, as there is no hip/back support in the classic model

-Gets pretty toasty as it doesnt seem to breathe well

I have to say I would not recommend this product to anyone planning to wear their baby around a lot. If you just want something quick and easy for the first few months, this could work, but any extended use (i.e. if you like to hike, or if you would like to wear baby for longer) I would recommend looking into another model of the Bjorn, or perhaps a different brand. Be sure to check the length adjustment of the carrier you end up with to ensure it will grow with baby — the Bjorn classic model only adjusts to 26″ so that has seriously limited how long we could use it, and we will probably end up buying the Ergo.

5 Stars Used this product for my baby up to 12 Months..
This is an awesome baby carrier. I kept it and plan on using it on the other little baby that we’re expecting soon. I washed it pretty frequently (my baby was said to have reflux) and the color still holds well.

4 Stars Two babies later – still going strong
We really enjoy the baby Bjorn carrier and have had this classic style since 2008. We recently brought it back out for our four month old and often use it in lieu of a double-stroller when we’re on the go. I have used it to take both of my children to the grocery store. I find that less people try and touch your child when you’re holding them close in a baby carrier! plus it allows me to place my toddler in the seat and go shopping without waiting on someone else to come home.

Our only complaint with this carrier is that as the child grows the pressure on your neck and shoulders can really take a toll, which is why we will probably put this away by the time she’s 20 pounds. It is really just too uncomfortable to carry them for long periods of time once they pass that weight mark. I would still consider it a good buy though.

Buy/More Info

Philips Avent Variable Flow Nipple BPA Free 2 Pack

Avent Variable Flow Nipple Reusable Bottle Nipple The Avent reusable bottle can reduce incidents of painful gas after feeding. The key is the unique Avent reusable nipple with the patented anti-vacuum valve. As baby feeds, the anti-vacuum valve of the nipple allows air to flow into the bottle, replacing the milk at a rate baby controls by natural reflex. This natural reflex reduces air ingestion and painful gas. The result is a happier baby with fewer incidents of discomfort after feeding.

User Ratings and Reviews

3 Stars Not exactly what I hoped for
I bought a lot of these nipples before my son was born thinking that they would be all that I would need. But the level 1 is much too fast for a newborn. Level 1 in variable nipples are comparable to stage 2 slow flow nipples. Now at 5 months we are finally starting to use the variable nipples on level 1. Finding the “1″ in the early morning hours is more of a pain than I thought it would be. Our son is starting to hold his own bottle, which makes it hard to keep the “1″ pointing towards his nose. And using the variable nipples for daycare is not very realistic, so we are still purchasing some of the stage nipples to send on his daycare bottles.

In retrospect, I would skip the variable nipples and just put the money on the stage nipples.

5 Stars Perfect for reflux babies that need thickened milk
My baby had serious reflux and our pediatrician advised us to thicken his milk with rice cereal. I spent 2 months buying nipples and trying to enlarge the flow holes until I found these. SO MUCH EASIER!! Really great product!

5 Stars Best Nipple for older infants/toddlers
My daughter was put on a rice cereal formula which was thick in texture making it impossible to use the regular nipples without becoming tired or sometimes even giving up & staying hungry. I switched to the Variable Flow, which her doctor had recommended & it was great!! She was able to drink her formula without any difficulties. THANKS AVENT!!!

5 Stars Two thumbs up
At just over 7 months I add rice cereal (and even slip a little pureed baby food) in my baby’s bottle. These nipples allow for smooth suction with no collapses and baby is happy!! Baby controls flow and is fully satisfied after drinking. WONDERFUL PRODUCT!!!

5 Stars Nice to have
After I dropped a nipple down the garbage disposal while washing I was in the market for a few replacements. The replacements seem to be holding up better than the originals!

Buy/More Info

BABYBJ RN Baby Carrier Original City Black

The classic original from Baby Bjorn. In our famous Baby Bjorn Original Baby Carrier your child is safe and close to you, while your hands are free. The Baby Bjorn Original Baby Carrier is a comfortable and easy-to-use baby carrier ideally designed for use during everyday activities, both indoors and out.

Baby Bjorn Original Baby Carrier provides excellent support for your baby?s back and head and guarantees that his/her legs and arms are in a physiologically correct position. When your baby is a little older and has a stronger neck, the neck-rest can be folded down so that the child can face forwards and look around.

Features:

• Seat is adjustable for comfort
• Holds baby close while providing comfort
• Undo lower portion to remove baby easily
• Babies can either face in or out
• Contoured padded straps for comfort
• Made of 100% cotton
• Machine wash separately (40-C) with gentle, bleach-free detergent
• From newborn (at least 8 lbs. and 21″) up to 22 lbs.

User Ratings and Reviews

4 Stars LOVE IT!
I love the BabyBjorn! I thought it was ridiculous to spend this much money on a carrier that I probably wouldn’t be using for very long but after trying a friend’s I was convinced. My infant falls asleep almost everytime he is in the carrier and he seems very comfy when riding. I feel like he is secure when I am carrying him which was obviously very important. I will say that after using the carrier for more than an hour, I do feel some fatigue in my shoulders. The only thing that I would like to see is a pocket or something that I could use to put my phone and keys in.

1 Star it’s not a NEW one!
I bought a baby bjorn from this seller. It says “NEW” , however, when I got it, it said “used only once” and had no package.

Who does know it’s really used only once…

If I had known that it’s a used one, I might not have bought it.

I feel so awful.

2 Stars Inconvenient to use
I guess I can understand why some people like this carrier. Once you have the baby in it, it is comfortable to wear. However, if you are taking the baby out and putting him back in repeatedly (say, for example, while running errands) for short periods of time, you will get sick of it quickly. It is not easy to balance a baby, especially a larger baby, while attaching the sliders and buttons. I also got uncomfortably hot wearing this carrier, which is padded and almost feels insulated, holding the baby’s body heat against me. Furthermore, my baby was unhappy in it, but that is primarily because he never liked being confined in any way.

To sum up:

This is a good carrier to wear with a small baby, for extended periods of wear, in cool weather.

This is not a good carrier to wear running errands or for short periods of time, for a larger baby, or in warm climates.

If your baby hates confinement like my son did, you probably won’t find any baby carrier satisfactory.

4 Stars Two babies later – still going strong
We really enjoy the baby Bjorn carrier and have had this classic style since 2008. We recently brought it back out for our four month old and often use it in lieu of a double-stroller when we’re on the go. I have used it to take both of my children to the grocery store. I find that less people try and touch your child when you’re holding them close in a baby carrier! plus it allows me to place my toddler in the seat and go shopping without waiting on someone else to come home.

Our only complaint with this carrier is that as the child grows the pressure on your neck and shoulders can really take a toll, which is why we will probably put this away by the time she’s 20 pounds. It is really just too uncomfortable to carry them for long periods of time once they pass that weight mark. I would still consider it a good buy though.

3 Stars Good for the first few months, but quickly grew out of it
I registered for a Baby Bjorn (the classic version) like many other parents out there, as it seemed to be the top choice. This carrier worked out for about 3 months at most — My daughter is 4 1/2 months old now, we didn’t use it the first month (as she needed to be 8 lbs) and now at 13 1/2 lbs and 25″ long, it seems she is growing out of it (granted, she is perhaps a bit longer than other babies her age, but still). Her head comes WAY above the supporting piece, especially if she has cloth diapers on, but even with disposables the carrier seems to be too small.

Additionally, I’ve started to get serious shoulder pain that lasts well after I’ve worn the carrier — I’m 5’4″, in pretty good shape considering I just had a baby, and several of my new mom friends have had the same experience.

Pros:

-Feels very secure to have baby inside

-Relatively easy (I think, anyway) to get baby strapped in

-At the current list price on Amazon, much cheaper than other carriers

Cons:

-Doesn’t seem to last very long as baby has grown out of it quickly

-Shoulder/back pain, as there is no hip/back support in the classic model

-Gets pretty toasty as it doesnt seem to breathe well

I have to say I would not recommend this product to anyone planning to wear their baby around a lot. If you just want something quick and easy for the first few months, this could work, but any extended use (i.e. if you like to hike, or if you would like to wear baby for longer) I would recommend looking into another model of the Bjorn, or perhaps a different brand. Be sure to check the length adjustment of the carrier you end up with to ensure it will grow with baby — the Bjorn classic model only adjusts to 26″ so that has seriously limited how long we could use it, and we will probably end up buying the Ergo.

Buy/More Info

Scootababy Baby Carrier Black

The Scootababy is a hands free side carrier that allows you to comfortably carry your child as you would naturally, only more easily. We helped to test this product and found it to be the hip carrier we were waiting for. It combines the padded waist of a structured carrier with the brilliant spread out shoulder; no strap riding up your neck. This hip carrier is comfortable front, hip or back from the very first use with little adjusting or fiddling. Usage is totally intuitive for most people. Scootababy Features: Lightly padded, shaped seat for baby Can be worn on either side Supportive fleece shoulder is stretchy and conforms to shoulder without impeding arm movement Wide, padded waist belt Custom buckles easily adjusted with one hand Fits most adults – waist fits 19″ to 49″ Fits babies from 5 months and up (up to 40 pounds) Easily slides around for tummy to tummy or quick back carries Folds compactly to fit into nylon storage bag Patent pending design. Top quality materials from U.S. suppliers: fleece from Malden Mills, 100% cotton ring-spun denim from U.S. mills, performance EVA foam. Made with precision in the U.S.A.

User Ratings and Reviews

2 Stars So Disappointed, Wanted to Like it
I am so disappointed with this carrier. After reading the rave reviews, I couldn’t wait to get this. I tried it 3 different times, trying different positions and adjustments. I hated it more and more with each time I wore it. I think it might be related to the fact that I am very thin and petite and it just didn’t fit my frame properly. My poor 7 mo daughter was slipping down my body and I had to keep an arm under her to keep her up. And the pain around my waist was downright unbearable. It also pulled down the waistband of all of my pants and made it is so that my pants were literally falling off of me. It’s a great concept and very nicely made, the Picadilly Circus print is super cute. I have given up on carriers and we just bought a backpack carrier for my husband instead that my little one loves!

5 Stars Perfect if you love hip carries!
My daughter (now 6 months old) has loved hip carries since she could hold her head up. It’s the perfect balance of being able to look around at the world, but still being able to see me and bury her head in my chest if she is overstimulated (facing directly out is really not good for most babies.) Since I found she always wanted to be carried this way anyway, I’ve shelved my other carriers and use this one most of the time.

It can be scooted around and used on the front or back, but it’s not ideal – get an Ergo or Beco if that’s what you want to do! Those carriers can be used for hip carries as well although it’s somewhat awkward.

I love that this centers the weight on my waist/hips and uses my shoulder just for balance. I have no back pain using the Scootababy! Even after several hours, my torso muscles get tired but never painful. If you’ve only used a Snugli or Baby Bjorn type carrier, forget it – this is a million times better! So is almost any carrier though

Like any front or hip carry, it does limit my movement somewhat – each arm has a lot of freedom but I can’t necessarily get my hands together (i.e. washing your hands, opening a jar.) I’ve found that I need to be realistic about what housework I can really get done while babywearing. It beats the heck out of trying to get anything done while holding a baby in your arms though, or while letting the poor baby cry because she wants to be picked up.

5 Stars best older baby carrier
WOW is all I can say! After reading the raving reviews for this carrier I ordered it…so glad I did! Now that my grandson is 23 lbs, nearly 11 mos, this carrier is the perfect “next step” from my Peanut Shell Sling (which I love and still use for rocking him to sleep at times)! We use this for walks as well as shopping (when not using a cart cover or stroller) and it is so comfortable besides being quick and easy to adjust the fit for small adult to large so everyone can use! I can’t say enough good things about this carrier…attractive besides!

5 Stars great for carrying twins!!!
i am a mom of twins and have tried a lot of products for twin baby wearing. this is one of my favorite! both of my girls are very happy and comfortable in it and i am comfortable wearing them for long periods. i also frequently use 2 ergos and do a front/back carry (which is probably more comfortable for really long time periods and i also like the ergos a lot), but my girls like being on my hips better than being on the front and back. i have tried pouch and ring slings to do the double hip carry, but never got comfortable and the babies got heavy quickly with all the weight on my shoulders. it was also very difficult to move either arm without the sling slipping off. Because the weight is on my hips with the scootababy, I am very comfortable and i am able to move both arms. Great product!

5 Stars Trying to decide which carrier?
Carriers are a huge investment and there’s always those one or two reviews which says the carrier doesn’t fit the person. I’m a new mom and was a little overwhelmed with all the choices and I didn’t want to spend 100-150 each time to try a new carrier.

I found a store that will let you rent carriers before you purchase so that you can make the best decision.

[...] – baby carrier rentals. You can rent the scootababy (or beco, or ergo, or babyhawk) and try it out first. Scootababy works great for children that are a little older.

Buy/More Info