Baby carriers

I'm a big fan of baby carriers.  Not so much a fan or wrestling with a stroller while travelling, or tripping my way through strollers clogging up public spaces.  I also enjoy having my hands free to point out all the cool things we're experiencing, whether it be a dog on our street or a monkey in the Amazon.

Soft-structured carriers (Mei Tais, Ergos, Becos, etc.) are fantastic for travelling.  They keep your child close, give them a sense of security, pack down small enough that you can bring multiple styles of carrier (guilty!), and usually offer multiple carrying positions.

B & me sporting our Freehand Mei Tai

Slings are also fantastic, although I personally find that I can't wear B in a sling as long as in our Mei Tai or Ergo.  We started off with a pocket sling, but after attempting to use it in South America I came to the conclusion that it was just the wrong size for me.  Rather than selling it, it's now living in my cupboard waiting to be converted into a cushion or some such thing.  We then bought a ring sling, nice & quick to pop B in & out of for quick trips into the grocery store, etc.  And soooo adjustable!  She can sit super high up on my hip if I so desire :)

B & me modelling our ring sling

B & me in Quito sporting the pouch sling

Our structured backpack carrier proved fantastic this past winter.  B fit in it fabulously with her bulky snowsuit, and was finally big enough to see up over the edge of it (she was ~10 months when she hit this point)!  We lugged this same carrier to Ecuador when she was just 5 months old, and, aside from a brief 10 minute stint in it at the bottom of a lush jungle canyon, she really didn't want anything to do with it.  It would have been so nice if she decided to ride in it as it kept her hot body off of our hot bodies, gave our arms a rest and offered some sun protection.  After that trip we were so tempted to sell it.  Glad we didn't.  Once the cold weather rolled in, she was quite content to ride in it.  Able to stuff B and snowsuit into it; we were so thankful for to have it in our arsenal!  We could go places where no baby had gone before!  Here's hoping she likes it more this summer!

B briefly enjoying her time in the backpack carrier in Ecuador.    

A few notes on baby carriers:
- If you use a good one that holds the child close to your body & evenly distributes their body weight onto yours, you should be able to carry them for years in it.
- There are many different styles of carriers out there ... your (and baby's) dimensions and personal preference will determine which carrier is best for you
- When picking out a carrier keep in mind what you will be using it for.  Is weather protection important? Pockets for storage?  Forward facing?  Multiple carrying positions?  Fabric?