Technical Baby Carriers
All technical carriers are structured and most have a system of fastex buckles and/or nylon webbing, often with closed cell foam padding (like on a backpack) on the shoulder and/or waist straps. They are mainly used in Western cultures, featuring a more modernized look than traditional carriers from other cultures.
Soft-pack front carrier
Components: A technical carrier without a metal frame. It can only be worn on the front of the wearer’s body, although the baby may be able to face in or out.
Use: The carrier is placed on the wearer’s body and the baby is placed inside. The shoulder straps can be adjusted but the baby pouch is usually one size.
Variations: There are several companies that make these carriers, such as Baby Bjorn, Snugli and the Kelty Kangaroo/Wallaby. Although easy to use, these carriers are notorious for straining the neck and/or shoulders of the wearer. The other complaint is that the weight limit is so small, babies grow out of these carriers very quickly, considering the hefty pricetag. There is also a debate going on concerning the safety of front carriers because most put a lot of stress on baby’s spine, possibly causing Spondylolisthesis. (Go to http://www.continuum-concept.org/reading/spinalStress.html for more information regarding this topic.)
Hip carrier
Components: A technical carrier without a metal frame. It features a padded, adjustable shoulder strap and waist strap. It can only be worn on the side of the wearer’s body and the baby is only able to face in.
Use: The carrier is placed on the wearer’s body and the baby is placed inside. This design is gentler on the baby’s spine because it has a wide base of support, so the risk of Spondylolisthesis is very low compared to front carrier styles with less support for the baby’s bottom. This style is limited in that it only affords the wearer one way to wear the baby — on one hip. Some parents and caregivers may feel more comfortable with a carrier that distributes the baby’s weight more evenly across the hips and back.
Variations: You can find some of these carriers in department stores like Target and Babies R Us.
Soft-pack carrier with maximum spinal support
Components: A technical carrier without a metal frame. It features padded shoulder straps and waist straps that are both fully adjustable. It can be worn on the front or back of the wearer’s body, although the baby may only be able to face in.
photo courtesty of SutemiGear.com
Use: The carrier is placed on the wearer’s body and the baby is placed inside. This process might be reversed if baby is worn on the back. The shoulder straps and waist straps can be adjusted. The design is gentler on the baby’s spine because it has a wide base of support, so the risk of Spondylolisthesis is very low compared to front carrier styles with less support for the baby’s bottom.
Variations: There are several excellent companies that make these carriers. The Sutemi and Ergo Baby Carriers are the most popular, but the Patapum, Baby Trekker and Wilkinet Carriers are also in this category.
Framepack carrier
Components: A technical carrier with a metal frame. It features padded shoulder straps and waist straps that are both fully adjustable. It can only be worn on the back of the wearer’s body, although the baby may be able to face in or out. Most have a kickstand so the carrier can rest on the ground.
Use: The baby is usually placed inside the baby pouch before the carrier is placed onto the wearer’s body. The shoulder straps and waist straps can be adjusted to accommodate a wide range of wearer sizes. Most include an adjustable baby pouch, allowing up to a 45 pound toddler to be carried when most other carriers give out at 35 pounds or less.
Variations: There are several versions of this style, but most are made by Kelty (framepack manufacturer) and cost several hundred dollars new. These carriers are great for serious hiking and/or camping with an infant or toddler. They are generally too heavy and awkward for everyday use.
