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Choosing a carrier
At Frangipani Baby™ we are confident that there is a carrier from our range to suit everyone. Below is a list of questions to consider when making your decision and an overview of the various types of carriers we stock at Frangipani Baby™ - and what you might like to consider in choosing the most appropriate carrier for you. If you are still unsure of which carrier would be best for you please contact us.
Questions to consider
How old is you baby/child?
How much are you willing to spend?
What do you want to do while carrying your baby?
How long do you want to carry your baby for at a time?
How long do you want to use the carrier for (i.e. until your baby is 6 months? 2 yrs? 5 yrs?)
Will you share the carrier with others? Do you need a carrier that can adjust to each wearer?
What is the weather like where you live?
Do you want to buy one carrier that can see you through, or are you happy to own more than one?
Do you want a carrier that is very simple to use, or are you happy to try one with a steeper learning curve? Do you have someone who can help you learn to use the carrier?
Do you want to be able to breastfeed in the carrier?
How easy do you want it to be to take the carrier off without waking your baby if they fall asleep in it?
Do you want to have the carrier with you all the time? Do you want it to be compact and portable?
Types of carriers
Pouches
A Pouch is a tube of fabric with a curved seam sewn in the middle providing a “pouch” for baby to sit in. Pouches sit like a wide sash around the wearer’s body spreading the carrying weight very evenly across your shoulder and back which makes them very comfortable to wear. Pouches are fitted to the wearer. This means they will be a perfect fit for you, but may not fit others. At Frangipani Baby™ we make Pouches available in many different sizes to guarantee a good fit. Pouches are very convenient and along with Ring Slings are the easiest carriers to get your baby in and out of quickly - a great advantage with a toddler. They are incredibly compact and can easily fold down to be carried in a bag when not needed. The Pouch can be used in many different carrying positions including Cradle Carry, Tummy to Tummy, Kangaroo Hold, Hip Carry & Back Carry. See Wearing Instructions for more detail.
Ring Slings
A Ring Sling is a rectangle of fabric with rings at one end used to adjust and secure the carrier. Ring Slings require some practice but once learnt their adjustability gives them a snugger hold than the Pouch. Adjustability also makes them ideal for breastfeeding and means that the same sling can be used by different people of different sizes. At Frangipani Baby™ we only stock Ring Slings that give a good spread over the shoulder and back as we see this as crucial in spreading the carrying weight and thereby making your carrying experience a positive one. The Ring Sling can be used in many different carrying positions including Cradle Carry, Tummy to Tummy, Kangaroo Hold, Hip Carry & Back Carry. See Wearing Instructions for more detail.
Mei Tais
These are asian inspired carriers, which in their most basic form have a rectangular or square shaped body and four straps - one coming from each corner - that tie to hold the carrier on. Because they are tied on, they can be used by different people of different sizes. Some modern variations include padded shoulder straps and the option of a clip to do up the waist straps with. As the weight is distributed over both shoulders and the waist, these are comfortable carriers, especially if you are carrying for long periods of time. They are easy to learn to use and are compact. They can be used on front, back and some people even use them for hip carries. See Wearing Instructions for more detail.
Soft Structured Carriers
These carriers differ from the framed backpacks in that your child is held up against your body as with other soft carriers in the optimal carrying position. While inspired by the Mei Tai style carriers, these modern variations have evolved to include padded shoulder and waist straps and clips. They are easy to use and the weight distribution over the shoulders and waist make them very comfortable carriers especially for longer journeys and toddlers. Straps are adjustable so they can be worn by different people of different sizes. See Wearing Instructions for more details.
Wraps
These are long rectangular pieces of fabric that wrap around your body and the baby. They distribute the weight of your baby or toddler evenly across your shoulders, back and hips which lessens the pull that can occur with other types of carriers. Wraps may take a bit of time to master, however there is no comparison in terms of comfort for heavier babies and toddlers and longer journeys. They are also incredibly versatile and can be worn by different people of different sizes in a huge number of different positions. Wraps come in both woven and stretchy fabrics. See Wearing Instructions for more details.
