Stubborn Baby Carriers

Let's start with a debatable topic: Baby Carriers.

First, why do you need one?  The answer is simple -- to give you the freedom of mobility to get things done while taking care of your child.  God gave you two hands; a good baby carrier gives them back to you.  (I'm not saying that you shouldn't spend a lot of time holding your little one, but there are times when you or your back need a break.)  A baby carrier keeps your child close, allowing them to feel secure and you to ensure their safety, while also giving you some needed freedom of movement to get on with needed tasks in your life.  But read this as meaning small chores, like making up the bed or washing clothes; strapping on a baby carrier will not allow you to mow the lawn or paint the house (but if anyone has tried that, I'd love to know). 

Second question: So they're helpful, but are they safe?  No doubt you've heard the news that baby slings are bad for your child. But does this actually come as a surprise? Put your head into a soft pillow -- face first -- and see how well you can breath. This is the same situation that you put your baby in (who, I might add, is much less inclined to protest) when you use some of the less desirous baby carriers on the market.

In March of this year, Infantino recalled more than 1 million baby slings due to its potential for suffocating babies. In particular, the carriers were deemed unsafe by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission because of their poorly designed baby orientation -- that is, the slings placed the babies' faces tight against their mothers' chests and oriented their heads down (arching their necks), causing asphyxiation in extreme cases.So what does this mean? Don't visit eBay, Craigslist, or a yard sale with the intention of buying a baby carrier and end up with a dangerous "Infantino Sling Rider" or any other type of sling for that matter. If it looks like it would smother your baby (see below) -- don't get it!

But also don't get turned off from all baby carriers on the account of a few poorly designed ones. This stubborn dad is not about to loose the ability to enjoy the production of having two hands free while keeping my child occupied just because a few poorly designed models have been identified. Sure, caution is warranted -- even with the good models -- but let common sense rule the day.

Aside from the dangerous sling variant of baby carriers, there are the more commonsensical harness carriers. These don't "compress" your baby. Instead, they put your baby in an upright position, typically just below your head, so you can periodically ensure they are still breathing.  When they are young, before they can hold their head up themselves, they face inward against your chest, and later, when they're ready, you can turn them around to face the world.  These carriers also allow plenty of air to enter through the various holes in the device (for arms, legs, and head), and the material that they're made from is stiff and isn't likely to clog your child's nose and mouth.

However, just because you have a baby harness doesn't mean that your baby is ready for it. If he or she doesn't meet the weight or height requirements for the device, then don't use it. Some babies are huge when born, some are not. If yours is a munchkin, don't be overeager. Small mouths are much easier to obstruct than large ones.

Now for my Stubborn Recommendation:

There are many models, by many companies, of harness carriers. In fact, the much-beleaguered Infantino has now abandoned all of its sling carriers in favor of various styles of harness carriers:

While the Infantino harnesses are at a good price point, I still would not advise going with them.  The stigma of the recall is too fresh, and there are times when I wonder if I'm paying too little for something that is supposed to protect my little one from injury.  I'm all for being cheap -- but in some instances, a little warning goes off in the back of my head that screams, "There's a reason things are cheap," which is true.  Not sure if the Infantino is cheap for the wrong reasons, but there's no need to buy one and find out if there are more capable (and reasonably priced) models out there.    

I'm also not sure I understand the concept of the "Front2Back Rider" by Infantino.  If I'm going on a long walk, the last thing I want to do is carry my child the entire way on my back.  I'm not a Nomad or a camel.  And what happens to your baby when he or she is behind you?  You don't know, do you?  Because you can't see them!  Anything that allows you to put your child out of sight doesn't meet the common sense rule for me.

Granted, there are a lot of other "backpack" style carriers on the market (see, e.g., Kelty FC 3.0 Child Carrier, Blue; Chicco Smart Support Backpack, Red), but I'm not the long-hike-with-a-baby-on-my-back kind of dad, and you're probably doing a disservice to your child if you strap 'em in and forget about them on a long hiking trip.  Maybe when they're older, but now now. 

So a "City" carrier does me just fine.  In fact, that's my recommendation:


The Baby Bjorn Original -- City Black ($62) is what I recommend based on personal experience.  While more expensive than the Infantino models, its less expensive than the Ergo models -- Ergo Baby Carrier Black with Camel Lining ($110); ERGO baby Carrier Galaxy Grey/Galaxy ($105); Ergo Baby Carrier - Camel ($105) -- and it does the trick. 

The Baby Bjorn company dates back to 1961, and it has a long history of collaborating with pediatricians to get its products right.  The Baby Bjorn original is not complicated to use (see instructions), can be used when your child is a newborn (assuming they weigh at least 8 lbs. and measure 21 inches long), and avoids the pitfalls of the slings warned by the Consumer Product Safety Commission. 

There are, of course, other models of harness carriers made by Baby Bjorn.  These include the following:
















These are all good products, but the added expense doesn't really justify the added functionality, does it (is the Comfort Carrier really twice as comfortable)?  Why pay more for something that can be done just as well with the original?  It's a fascinating concept as to how marketing can make things more appealing -- a topic that I'll save for another day.

In conclusion, you're not running a race with your baby, and you probably won't be walking around for more than 30-45 minutes with him or her in the carrier (either because your back hurts or because your baby is crying up a storm). Therefore, stick with the original.  If comfort is an issue, consider paying the extra cash for the BABYBJÖRN Comfort Carrier, Anthracite, but otherwise, go with the Classic and save your money for something more important -- like The Stroller.

Now you have my take -- what's yours?  Is anyone else stubborn about their carrier?  Is anyone unreasoanble and perverse enough to still use a sling?  If so, why?  I assure you I'm curious to know.  And who else agrees that the Baby Bjorn Classic is the best-in-class, no-frills carrier? 

Please let us Stubborn Dads know.