How to Choose a Baby Carrier? Your Ultimate Guide!

If you have ever traveled with your baby, you'd be definitely sure of one thing; keep your baby close to you! A baby carrier is surely one best way of doing that! Forget traveling; a baby carrier is even productive for you while you do your household chores, keeping your baby closer and safer. Talking about safety, do you think all baby carriers are safe for your kiddo?

Well, there is a huge concern when it comes to choosing the best baby carrier to ensure that your child is fully comfortable and there's no risk related to a much more crucial issue, 'hip dysplasia.' Don't know what hip dysplasia is? This read will inform you all about the hazards related to it. You'll also get to know tips for choosing a baby carrier. Just dive in!

What is hip dysplasia in babies?

Hip dysplasia is a condition that involves the improper formation of the ball and socket joint. It is associated with the dislocation of a baby's hip. For your information, the hip joint is the one bridging thigh bone to the pelvis. The thigh bone is, also known as the femur, has a rounded head that fits inside the cup-shaped hip socket. Hence, the joint is collectively called the ball and socket joint.

How is baby carrier associated with hip dysplasia?

Babies already born with hip dysplasia have a high risk of getting condition worse if they are not using a properly designed baby carrier. When babies are to be carried for longer periods via baby carrier, their hips should be in a position that is spread apart with hips bent and thighs supported.

 As the risk of hip dysplasia is quite high in the first 4-6 months of birth, better precautions should be taken while using a baby carrier. Baby wraps and carriers similar to it are best to promote the optimum position for your baby’s hip health. Remember, a condition where the knee joint is not supported by thighs and is handing straight is not healthy for a baby.

What creates a healthy position in a baby carrier?

An upright baby carrier is the one that promotes the correct ergonomic position for the baby. Any carrier that helps the healthy development of the baby’s spine and hips is a correct ergonomic position. Wondering how is this possible? Well, here is something you should know; position your baby in a way so as to spread leg in M shape, knees bent and higher than the baby’s bottom.

Make sure your baby is positioned just like a frog; legs apart and knees higher than the hip joint. This will avoid hip instability/ dislocation.

Up till here, you must have got a clear understanding of the ideal position of a baby to be placed in a baby carrier. Just move on to some tips for choosing a baby carrier.

Tips for choosing a baby carrier

While you go out to shop for a baby carrier, ensure the three most crucial aspects:

1. Choose a baby carrier that promotes healthy hip positioning of your kiddo
2. It should be safe to use and
3. Comfortable to wear

As for healthy hip positioning, it is very clear to you we'll elaborate on how to choose safe and comfortable baby carriers.

How to choose safe baby carriers?

To choose a safe baby carrier, be mindful of the following aspects:

• Choose a carrier that provides an easy-to-understand guide in either written instructions or visuals so that you may know how to use the carrier safely.
• The carrier you choose should allow the baby to move its legs, arms, and heads swiftly.
• When you go out to shop, take your baby along with you so that you may try it out at the spot to make correct use of it.
• If you are choosing a sling, make sure it doesn’t cover the baby’s face and lead to suffocation. Check your baby in carrier very often and check their breathing too.
• Ensure that all the buckles and straps of the baby carrier are of high quality and durable.
• Set the baby carrier in a way that your baby’s head is close to your chin and is comfortable.
• Make sure your baby is not curled up in the carrier.

Get yourself a comfortable baby carrier

Apart from your baby’s healthy positioning, it's important that you are well aware of your comfort too while you carry your baby via a carrier. Here are a few tips you should follow:

• Look out for padded, broad shoulder straps that go across your back to shift the weight to both of your shoulders equally.
• Make sure the baby carrier is appropriate for all seasons and not let the baby feel the heat in summers.
• Also, carriers should be used, keeping in mind the maximum limit they can handle. Especially a baby wrap. A lighter fabric is best for all seasons.
• It is a no-brainer how babies could be messy. Therefore, choose a washable machine carrier to help yourself with easy cleaning.

Babywearing is all you need for your toddlers!

Never mind carrying your babies when you have the best baby carrier! It is a great help in:

• Encouraging physical bonding between baby and the parent
• Babywearing reduces crying to about 54%
• You’ll be surprised to know that it promotes cognitive development too. Being carried helps develop baby engage and develop linguistic skills too.
• Reduced chances of reflux such as vomiting, breathing problems, and coughing.
• Walking parents carrying their baby promotes calming response in a baby.
• Babywearing is actually good for your child’s health; it prevents flat head syndrome and improves digestion too.

Wrap up

Baby carriers are undoubtedly the need of the eye for parents with toddlers. Apart from ease of carrying, a baby carrier is quite a productive way to even increase weight gain and bone density in a baby via tactile stimulation. Travel or work, a baby carrier is the best way to walk carrying a bay while your hands are free. Looking for one for your baby? Get yours now!