Most soft structured baby carriers will not allow a baby to see over the wearer’s shoulders. This is because they are designed to distribute the weight across your entire back. For tall people it may seem as if the baby is riding down really low and smashed against their back. You can have your husband tighten the waistband higher on his body. Your baby may not be able to see over dad’s shoulder, but will still be happy to be carried!

Most dads we know are most comfortable with buckle baby carriers such as the Ergo Baby Carrier, Oh Snap Baby Carrier, or the Beco Baby Carrier. However if your husband is a little more adventurous, he might like a baby wrap or mei tai. They are great for fuller body frames as well, and both can be adjusted and tied higher on the body.

Do have babywearing questions? Email us at info(at)lastellablu.com or leave your question in the comments below.

There are a couple of baby carriers that would probably work for Julie, but our first choice is a woven baby wrap, such as those by Ellaroo. Baby wraps are very versatile and can be worn on your front, back, or hip. Stretchy wraps are more affordable, but for back carrying or using past 6 months a woven wrap is more supportive. They are a great choice for bad backs, and will provide the most comfort while babywearing. You can even tie your wrap around the area where your back aches for extra support.

Our second choice is a soft structured baby carrier. They are easy to use and secure with buckles or clips. They generally have padded shoulder straps and a waist belt for lumbar support. All soft structured carriers fit slightly different, but our two favorite are the Ergo Baby Carrier or the Beco Baby Carrier.

Whatever baby carrier you use, it is important to remember to carry your baby high on your body. If you are carrying your baby too low it will hurt your back. It is also a good idea to start carrying your baby on your back as soon as they are developmentally ready. I started wearing my son on my back around 6 months, but you may be able to slightly earlier depending upon the baby carrier you choose and the options for securing your babies head while sleeping.

Do you need help choosing a baby carrier? Email us or leave a comment below. We would be glad to help you choose the perfect baby carrier

For somebody who is not yet committed to babywearing or interested in learning a baby wrap, my first choice would be a soft structured baby carriers. They are very easy to learn and somewhat similar in appearance to a Baby Bjorn. While soft structured baby carriers such as the Beco Baby Carrier or Ergo Baby Carrier look similar to the Bjorn, they keep baby in a seated position rather than hanging by their crotch. This is much better for babies developing spine and sacrum. Ergo Baby has a carrier made from a lighter weight fabric for better breathability. The Sport Ergo Baby Carrier also has a vented panel in the body of the baby carrier for extra air flow.

Pouches are another good choice for those not experienced with babywearing. They are a simple tube of fabric that you slip over your shoulder and place your baby in between the layers of fabric. They are small, compact, and easy to transport. The Hotslings Adjustable Pouch is a good choice for a gift because you do not have to know your sisters exact size. However, pouches do have some limitations. A pouch will not be as comfortable when wearing for longer periods of time or with heavier babies. It is also very important to get proper positioning when wearing a baby in the cradle position to prevent a baby

Parents that are interested in a forward facing carrier should consider why they want one. Is it because the parents assume a baby will want to see what is going on around them just as an adult does, or will a baby truly enjoy facing outward? Babies benefit from being able to make eye contact with their parent, watch their facial expressions, and social interactions. Babies that are forward facing cannot do these things.

Babies that are forward facing can also easily become overstimulated. A babies senses are raised and very aware. So much is new to them, and they still have a whole world to discover. What would seem to be a normal situation for us can actually become too much stimuli for them. Babies in forward facing carriers are unable to turn away from a busy environment and find the calming comfort of their parents face.

A baby can also sleep much easier by resting their head on your chest. A baby facing forward cannot find a stable position for their head, and their head will bob around limiting the quality of their sleep. So we cannot in good conscious recommend forward facing baby carriers. High quality baby carriers such as the Ergo Baby Carrier, Beco Baby Carrier, and BabyHawk do not support the forward facing position.

An alternative to wearing your baby facing out is using the hip carry which can be done with both the Ergo Baby Carrier, BabyHawk, and all baby slings. This is not as supportive as a two shouldered carry, but allows your baby a wider range of movement to observe the environment while still providing them the ability to turn away and find comfort from you.

What does this mean?  Is this a total redesign of the Ergo Baby Carrier where the infant insert is not needed?   Only a couple of weeks left until we have our answer.  Check back with La Stella Blu to see the Heart 2 Heart baby carrier.

Do you have back problems but still want to use a baby carrier?  This can be a problem for parents interested in babywearing.  Slings and other one shouldered baby carriers typically are not great for those who have back problems.

So what type of carrier should you use?  A two shouldered baby carrier such as a soft backpack, mei tai, or baby wrap will provide better weight distribution.  The type of carrier that you choose depends upon whether your back pain is in your lower back, hips, or shoulders.

The Ergo Baby Carrier is a soft backpack buckle carrier that is one of my favorite baby carriers for even weight distribution.  Weight is spread between your hips and shoulders.  This helps alleviate stress on your back.

Another option is a mei tai, such as the BabyHawk.  Mei tais can be tied higher on your waist to alleviate rubbing on your waist and hips. 

Wraps are really great at spreading the weight well across your entire back eliminating any pressure points.  They can also be tied higher on your waist to alleviate pressure on your lower back or hips.  For younger babies a stretchy wrap works perfectly, but for heavier babies and toddlers a woven wrap provides the best support.

Hotslings now has two organic options; hemp and parisian blue.  Their hemp and organic cotton blend is not dyed or bleached, and it is soft as can be.  Parisian blue is on sale now, and supplies are limited.  

EllaRoo is an amazing company committed to sustainability.  All of their mei tais and mei hips are made with 100% certified organic cotton and recycled polyester batting made from soda bottles.  

Ergo Baby  introduced a new organic line in response to increased awareness for eco-friendly products.  Their organic chocolate baby carrier is very popular and often sold out across the internet. In the next couple of months Ergo Baby will be introducing a new blue organic baby carrier.  We can’t wait!

Unfortunately, the ERGO Baby Carrier was  updated without updating the instructions.  This has been really frustrating for many of you, who attempt to watch the dvd and follow the instructions step by step.  Frustrating for us too because we always strongly recommend that you watch or read the manufacturers instructions. There has not been word as to when the instructions will be updated, but here is what you need to know.

The d-rings have been replaced with snaps that are used to secure the sleeping hood.  There is one remaining d-ring that can be used to clip on pacifiers or  toys.

You should also know that the new and improved generation ERGO Baby Carrier has the chest straps permanently attached to the shoulder straps.  This makes it easier to use since the straps will not need readjusting each time the carrier is taken on and off.

As always contact us at info@lastellablu.com if you have any concerns.