When your baby is yet too little for a stroller (read, you can't bear to be so far away from your little cutie), or you just want an alternative way to bring baby along, negotiating stairs and crossing streets without the problems a stroller entails, your other options include different styles of baby carriers. Now, the problem becomes, which to choose. There are four basic choices: the front baby carrier, baby carrier slings, baby hip carriers and baby back packs. All of them 'work', keeping baby safe. The choice essentially becomes one of Mom's preference and comfort.
When you've spent a month carrying baby around town, that lovely, growing baby can take a toll on your body. Soon, you feel as though you're gaining and losing fifteen pounds a day, depending on whether you're at home or out and about. The style of the baby carrier you choose can make a big difference in how you feel after an outing. With my own bundle of joy, I wanted to be able to see her little face as much as possible, so the baby back pack was last on my list. I'd also had a back injury as a teen, so I thought this would just aggravate that condition anyway.
Silly as it might sound, I ended up trying them all. First was the front baby carrier, my first choice simply because I could see that little face any time I wanted. The feeling was mutual. We'd stare at each other happily on park benches, while browsing at shops and etcetera. See, my instincts were right! No baby back pack for us! However, there was a down side, which didn't take long to develop. While walking down city streets and over hill and dale, my shoulders tended to hunch over more and more with each pound she gained. Soon I felt I was carrying a quite precious, but nonetheless heavy bag of groceries for most of the day. The front carrier didn't work out. I gave this baby carrier to a friend who was expecting, hoping it would work out better for her.
Next was the sling baby carrier, an attractive little pouch style, with adjustable straps to position my baby in increments for the most comfortable carrying position. I could watch her, snuggle her and even adjust the sling for hands-free operation when shopping, paying for items or carrying a bag. The problem with the baby sling carrier style was that her weight was by no means evenly distributed, no matter how I fussed with the straps. This resulted in one sore shoulder. OK. That wasn't going to work for me. Still, I was resisting the baby back pack because I wouldn't be able to see her.
I donated my very gently used sling carrier to the church and went out and purchased a baby hip carrier, albeit more closely examining the adjustable functions of the straps before I made the purchase. The sales clerk told me the hip carrier was a favorite with Moms. The straps allowed for safe carrying and a close contact, while keeping your hands free. She put the hip carrier on, with its multiple straps in a configuration I thought I'd never be able to repeat. She assured me that I wouldn't need to worry about that. This one slips off easily, ready to go the next day. This was not true, at least in my case. Once outfitted by the sales clerk, with my baby snugly inside, I went on my merry way until it was time to take it off! This particular model was like a Gordian knot!
The very next day, I returned to the baby shop, carrying my little Angel, with the hip carrier and receipt in a bag. She did refund my money. Maybe she thought I was klutzy maybe I am. Now, my only remaining option was the baby back pack carrier.
Perhaps its now easy to see how this story ends. My baby back pack was like a little Papoose, which fitted her snugly towards my neck, all trimmed in lace, with a hood which could be folded up or down as the weather dictated. She soon started playing with the ends of my hair, giggling as she did, from her secure little baby back pack 'papoose' perch. She loved it and so did I.
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