As a new mom, your hands are always full, whether you’re stuffing yourselves with lactation cookies post-breastfeeding or trying to jot down memories of your newborn’s first days in your baby journal. You’re probably dying for a way to keep your little one occupied so you can scroll through your fave mom blogs for much-needed advice from those in the know. One of the best ways to be hands-free with your babe is by wearing them in a baby wrap or carrier. Plus, by baby wearing, you’ll get that lovey-dovey skin-to-skin time that’s such a great bonding opportunity for newborns and mamas.
There are tons of baby carriers out there and, for the uninitiated, it can seem daunting to take your precious LO and place them inside a backpack (gulp), but our helpful guide to all things babywearing can make the transition from hands full to hands-free much easier. And when your baby is super fussy or overly tired, babywearing can soothe them (bonus!).
The Difference Between Wraps and Carriers
Like the perfect-fitting pair of jeans, everyone has a different preference for the type of carrier and wrap they like. One may work great for you, but your BFF may hate it. In general, wraps are used for newborns and infants to wear them close to your body. Carriers are similar to front or backpacks, and can carry children through toddlerhood. Each has certain weight minimums and limits. Some wraps and carriers can be used to nurse babies. Some are solely front-facing. Others can be used in the front or back.
The best way to know what’s right for you is to try them on before purchasing one. Ask mom friends to borrow theirs and try them out with a doll (or an actual infant, if you feel comfortable). Or check out Babywearing International chapters in your area — for a small fee, you can borrow carriers to test out, and leaders can help you get started. Consider how you want to use your wrap or carrier. If you’re a hiker and want to bring your kiddo along, you’ll want a different carrier than a mama who wants to be hands-free at home. Here’s our helpful guide to the most popular baby wraps and carriers out there.
Carriers
Active moms and dads tend to like carriers. Whatever carrier you choose, keep in mind that you might get sweaty holding a cuddly baby AND a carrier against your bod.
1. Ergo Baby: Many parents rave about the Ergo 4 Position 360 Carrier ($160). Some have traveled all over the world with their child in it. With the Ergo 360, you can face baby outward (which is helpful when your infant is curious about the world) and inward. Moms like that it is super secure and durable, easy to use and has a head cover for discrete nursing or sun cover. FYI, you’ll need to buy an Infant Insert ($25) to properly hold your newborn’s wobbly head and tiny hips.
2. Beco: The Beco Gemini Baby Carrier ($160) holds babes from 7-35 pounds in four different positions (hips, front inward, front outward and back). One mom shared, “There’s no insert required for newborns, multiple ways to carry, and both my husband and I could use it.”
3. Líllébaby: A stylish carrier that comes in different fabrics (including embossed!), Líllébaby is known for its All Season Carrier ($150) that has a temperature-control panel to keep you and your little one comfortable through all sorts of weather conditions. Plus, it can be used in six different positions. We heart the Donuts and Sprinkles print. Totally adorbs.
4. Tula: Another carrier that moms love is the Tula brand. If you plan on wearing your child from infancy (Baby Carrier [$149+]) through toddlerhood (Toddler Carrier [$169]), this is a great choice for you. Plus, it’s made with organic cotton. One mom told me, “It’s very cute and lightweight, and my daughter loved it too.”
Wraps & Slings
Some parents really love the closeness from a wrap or sling. It mimics the feeling of the womb for a newborn, which can be really comforting. But, some active babies don’t like the confinement of a wrap. Wraps are less pricey than carriers, but most hit the maximum range of 25-35 pounds. So if you want to continue wearing your baby, you’ll want to move on to a carrier eventually.
1. Solly Baby: As an LA-based mom living through plenty of hot, sunny days, I found the Solly Baby ($65) the most comfortable for me. The fabric is made from Lenzing Modal, which is sourced from the pulp of Austrian Beechwood trees, and is totally breathable and soft. It’s like wearing a t-shirt. Plus, I love the different designs — I have the Charcoal Swiss Dot and the Natural & Grey Stripe — that look fantastic with any outfit.
2. Boba: An affordable wrap option that moms also love is the Boba Wrap ($39.95). One mom said that she used it from newborn to 18 months and loved that she could “carry my son it in for a long time and it didn’t hurt my shoulders.”
3. Moby: Another great option is the Moby Wrap ($59.95). Made with organic cotton or all bamboo, this wrap was a fave of one mom who had a premature baby boy. “He was too tiny for a traditional carrier, so the Moby worked great. I could position him in a few different ways that helped protect his face from the elements and germs.” The company behind the Moby Wrap just launched a more structured carrier, The BabyHawk ($99.95), as well.
4. Maya Wrap: Some breastfeeding mamas really like the Maya Wrap ComfortFit Sling ($94.95). There’s a bit of a learning curve to putting it on, but as one mom said, “Once you figure it out, it’s quick. I had an active kid so I needed to get my wrap on quickly!”
What’s your favorite baby carrier? Tweet us @BritandCo with your faves or show us your carriers over on Instagram!
Brit + Co may at times use affiliate links to promote products sold by others, but always offers genuine editorial recommendations.
(Photos via Ergo, Beco, Lillebaby, Tula, Solly Baby, Boba Wrap, Moby Wrap, Maya Wrap)
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.