I remember with my first son when trying to pick it was so difficult to decide! There are so many different baby carriers to decide from I didn't know where to begin. Not to mention all of the safety concerns with carriers. I've seen carriers from 29.99 to 100+. So what makes a carrier more expensive ? Does that mean its better than the cheaper one? I don't necessarilly think that is true. I think its all on the mother and baby's preferences. I think the safety concerns come into play if you are not using the carrier properly. I have three brands of carriers, because I do believe a mama can never have too many carriers! I have the Boba Wrap , an Ergo 360 & Original Ergo, and I recently bought a Neobulle Ring Sling. Which I love each one of them for different reasons.

Boba Wrap

I was intimidated by this wrap initially because it seemed so difficult to use. Once I got it down I instantly fell in love! I personally loved this wrap while traveling when Jay Jay was younger! It is light weight but very supportive. I loved the fact that it was flexible and allowed him to be tight and snug to my chest. He loved it as well, he always fell asleep in it. I loved using it during colder months too because it is so snuggly!

ERGO 360 & Original ERGO

I love my ergo! I don't think I could do without it! From Infancy to toddler stage it works wonders. I always did front carrying but it can go on your back as well, which is good while cooking dinner! It provides a lot of support so I love wearing it while working out! We have done multiple hikes using the ergo. Its light weight and provides better airflow than a wrap or sling, in my opinion, so I prefer to use this while working out or doing activities that are hotter. I recently purchased the 360 to be able to use the forward facing feature. I also love the support that it provides for when your baby turns into a toddler. It is easy to put on and dads love it too! If I had to choose one I would go for the Ergo! You can also purchase an insert for your teeny infant :D

Neobulle Ring Sling

This is my newest addition to my collection. So far so good! Its snuggly and super easy to put on! Its comparable to the wrap in the sense that its flexible and keeps the baby really close and warm. The main difference is that the ring sling is way easier to put on. Once you have it set up you don't need to take it out of the ring to put on, take off, and wash. I love the different options in terms of the look as well. Im not too sure how I will feel about it when Jett gets bigger and closer to one but we shall see! I have many friends who use the slings and love them even into toddler years!

Why Should you baby wear?

First I would point out that babies like to be held. Which means no hands for mommy! When you have a carrier it really helps you free your hands. It also really helps with the weight of the baby, which can get heavy as they grow. With two kids the carriers work wonders in being able to comfort my newborn while being able to entertain my toddler!

According to Dr Sears, In the article Benefits of baby wearing for your baby, he provides 5 reasons why baby wearing is beneficial. These are all based on his studies and studies of others quoted in the article.

Sling babies cry less
- After studying carried and non carried infants, those infants who received the set time of being carried cried less than the noncarried group.
Sling babies learn more
- instead of crying they are learning
- when the baby is in a state of quiet alertness it allows the mother, or carrier a better opportunity to interact.
Sling babies are more organized
- The sling helps the baby organize their systems outside of the womb
- "In order for a baby’s emotional, intellectual, and physiological systems to function optimally, the continued presence of the mother, the most important benefits of babywearing, is a necessary regulatory influence."
The "humanizing" benefits of baby wearing
- the baby is more in tune with the carriers rhythm
- "Proximity increases interaction, and baby can constantly be learning how to be human."
Sling babies are smarter
- "The benefits of babywearing are that it helps the infant’s developing brain make the right connections. Because baby is intimately involved in the mother and father’s world, she is exposed to, and participates in, the environmental stimuli that mother selects and is protected from those stimuli that bombard or overload her developing nervous system."

hope this information helps you make the decision on which carrier to buy! I definitely would say the baby carrier is a MUST have! Plus who doesn't like to snuggle with their baby!

Happy Friday,

Jord